Pittsburgh Pirates series review vs Cardinals

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

It seems every time the Pirates play the Cardinals, it’s the biggest series of the season, but this time that hyperbole may have been correct. The Pirates’ divisional aspirations are dangling by a thread and they needed to win this series to keep their slim changes alive and they did just that. They also played very well in their two wins. Scoring 16 runs in the two games and allowing only four. If not for a Josh Harrison error, we may be talking about a Pirates sweep, but nothing can be done about that and the Pirates will have to “settle” for taking two of three on the road from their arch-rival.

The Pirates really have no time to enjoy this victory as they go from ESPN Sunday Night Baseball in St. Louis to a 1:05 first pitch in Cincinnati. Miller Park and Busch Stadium haven’t been particularly kind to the Pirates but Great American Ballpark isn’t much better as the Pirates have gone 5-11 in Cincinnati the past two seasons. The Pirates won their first road series against an NL Central opponent in 2015 against the Cardinals and will now look to do it again against the struggling Reds.

The Pirates have a heavy dose of NL Central opponents to end the season, so the team must do better against their own division if they hope to catch the Cardinals. Beyond that, the road to the World Series will go through the NL Central as the likely road will feature the Pirates vs. Cubs in the NL Wildcard game and the NLDS will feature the Cardinals. If the Pirates want to win in October, they must beat the NL Central.

Series Result: Pirates win 2-1

2015 win/loss record: 81-55

2015 series record: 24-14-5

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