SERIES REVIEW: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Marlins

Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins are a struggling baseball team this season and the Pirates took advantage of that by winning the series three games to one. The Pirates looked outstanding against the best the National League had to offer, but they had to show they could keep their focus against some lesser competition and against the Marlins they did. Outside of game two, the Marlins never really controlled any of the games and the Pirates quietly took care of business.

The Pirates cannot celebrate this series win for too long as they return home to PNC Park to take on another struggling baseball club in the Colorado Rockies. The Pirates have done pretty great work against sub .500 teams in 2015, going 45-26. (.633 win percentage) So the next time someone says the Pirates “play down to their competition” just cite their stellar win/loss record against losing teams. Numbers trump narrative every single day.

It’s hard not to be high on the Pirates right now. They’ve won 12 of their last 15 games and seem to be getting stronger as the season has gone on. We’re coming to September and the Pirates are 28 games over .500 and marching on towards a third consecutive playoff appearance. The division is still within reach, but the Pirates need to start playing to their potential against NL Central opponents as September features a lot of Cubs and Cardinals on the schedule. Pennant races are really fun, but the division is within striking distance and I am pretty tired of do or die one game Wildcard games. Take care of business against the Rockies and keep stacking wins, it’s almost time for September baseball.

Series Result: Pirates win 3-1

2015 win/loss record: 77-49

2015 series record: 22-13-5

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