Pittsburgh Pirates report card for 5/9-5/19

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SAN DIEGO, CA – MAY 18: Josh Bell #55 of the Pittsburgh Pirates (R) is congratulated by Elias Diaz #32 after hitting a solo home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park May 18, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

Offense

The Pittsburgh Pirates scored 49 runs over the last 11 games. 26 of them were either driven in by or scored by Josh Bell. I think that’s telling of who’s carrying the offense.

Overall, the bats did their part. 4.45 runs a game is reasonable, but it also needs to be considered that the Pirates have a first baseman playing at an unreasonably high level right now.

As good as Bell is, neither he or anybody else is capable of sustaining this pace. With the starting rotation still up in the air, the offense needs to produce, and I think as time goes on, the bats will do that even is #55 isn’t playing like #8.

Elias Diaz is heating up, and the Pirates outfield is getting along just fine without Corey Dickerson. Which is not to say that Dickerson’s return won’t be appreciated.

Bryan Reynolds and Melky Cabrera continue to be pleasant surprises. If Reynolds’ fellow rookie, Cole Tucker, can get his hitting to match what he’s given the Pirates defensively at shortstop, this offense could turn into a formidable one.

We’ll see what happens when Bell comes back down to earth, but when he does, the Pirates may just have enough firepower to get by.

B+

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