Pittsburgh Pirates Homestand Report Card 7/6 – 7/15

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 24: Clay Holmes #68 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the seventh inning during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park on June 24, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 24: Clay Holmes #68 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the seventh inning during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park on June 24, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 15: Starling Marte #6 of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Gregory Polanco #25 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrate with fans after a walk off win in the tenth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on July 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 15: Starling Marte #6 of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Gregory Polanco #25 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrate with fans after a walk off win in the tenth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on July 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Conclusion

There isn’t a lot to say about the Pirates right now except for that they’re playing really well. Of course, people in this city will always take any positivity the wrong way, not understanding that acknowledging a quality run of baseball isn’t the same as proclaiming the Pirates to be World Series contenders. Any reasonable person should be pleased with what’s transpired over the past two weeks.

One good stretch isn’t enough to put the Pirates into playoff contention. They’re still 5.5 games out of a wildcard spot, with six teams to jump over, so the chances of a magical run remain slim. With the last place Reds first on the horizon after the break, Pittsburgh has another chance to creep further in the standings and finally move back above .500.

Maybe the Pirates will continue to ride this wave, and maybe they won’t. But when these guys are playing well, it wouldn’t kill fans to enjoy it for a few minutes. Unfortunately, most people won’t take that advice.

Overall grade: A

Schedule