Pittsburgh Pirates homestand report card for week of 5/25-5/30

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 30: Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs has words with Joe Musgrove #59 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third inning at PNC Park on May 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 30: Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs has words with Joe Musgrove #59 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third inning at PNC Park on May 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
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BRADENTON, FL – FEBRUARY 19: Austin Meadows
BRADENTON, FL – FEBRUARY 19: Austin Meadows

Offense – the good

Starling Marte returned from the DL, and Austin Meadows continues to light it up. After last night’s game Meadows owns a .435 on-base percentage and he is slugging a cool .814. So, it is safe to say he is doing something right with the stick.

Meadows has been a bright like in a dark tunnel, and one can only hope that he’ll help lead the Bucs out of the abyss.

Offense – the bad

Josh Bell
PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 19: Josh Bell #55 of the Pittsburgh Pirates heads to the dugout before the start of the game against the San Diego Padres at PNC Park on May 19, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

Aside from Meadows, the Bucco bats haven’t been hitting.

Considering that neither the rotation nor bullpen has been consistent, the Pirates need to hit to reach their ceiling in 2018. Right now, they aren’t doing that. Josh Bell needs to step up, and Gregory Polanco needs to look at least somewhat competent. Occasionally having David Freese and Sean Rodriguez in the of the middle of the lineup doesn’t help matters, either.

There is still more than enough firepower for the Bucs to score runs, but it’s not showing up at the moment.

Schedule