Pittsburgh Pirates: Grading Series Loss Against the Indians

PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 18: Manager Derek Shelton of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on during the game against the Cleveland Indians at PNC Park on August 18, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 18: Manager Derek Shelton of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on during the game against the Cleveland Indians at PNC Park on August 18, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 18: Kevin Newman #27 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Cleveland Indians at PNC Park on August 18, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 18: Kevin Newman #27 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Cleveland Indians at PNC Park on August 18, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

The Offense

Offense continues to be a major, major issue for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team scored 3 runs in game one, 1 run in game two and then they were shut out in game three. When you average just a tick over 1 run per game for a series, that is bad, folks!

The one bright spot in the series offensively for the Bucs was Kevin Newman. In the series, Newman was 6-for-11 with two walks and a double. After a slow start to the season, Newman is now hitting for a .292/.329/.375 slash line this season. While you want to see more power from Newman, it is good to see him rediscovering the stroke he had when he was one of the best rookie hitter in the National League in 2019.

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The Verdict

We continue to beat this dead horse, but the offense must be better for the Pittsburgh Pirates. While Newman has finally started to heat up at the plate, Adam Frazier, Bryan Reynolds, Josh Bell, and Gregory Polanco all continue to struggle. Outside of an increase in power, Colin Moran has regressed this season as well. Outside of Newman and Erik Gonzalez, every Pirate batter has regressed from 2019. That is alarming.

Grade: F