Pittsburgh Pirates: Ex-Astros Burn Their Old Team & Other Takeaways From Series Win

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HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 26: Elias Diaz #32 of the Pittsburgh Pirates shakes hands with Chris Stratton #46 after defeating the Houston Astros 14-2 at Minute Maid Park on June 26, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Was this the best series the Pirates have played all season?

While the Pirates lost the series opener, a strong argument can still be made this was the best series they have played all season.

After being held to just 1 run on Tuesday night, the offense exploded for 14 runs on Wednesday and 10 on Thursday. The bullpen was excellent in the series allowing just 2 runs, one of which came due to Elias Diaz failing to block a strikeout pitch by Clay Holmes, in 7 1/3 innings of work.

A big reason the bullpen was effective is because the starting rotation pitched deep into games. Trevor Williams, Agrazal, and Musgrove combined to allow 5 runs in 18 2/3 innings of work.

A strong argument can be made that the Astros are the best team in the American League, if not all of baseball. Yet, the Pirates waltzed into Minute Maid Park and became the first road team to win a series in Houston all season. The Bucs also outscored the Astros 25-7 in the process.

Even in the loss, the Pirates played well. Facing MLB strikeout leader Gerrit Cole the bucs only struck out three times. They had opportunities against Cole, and if not for Josh Reddick robbing Starling Marte of a home run that game could have gone much differently.

For my money, this was the best series the Pirates have played all season.

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