Pittsburgh Pirates Set to Host Cleveland Indians in Three-Game Series

May 20, 2021; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton (17) reacts in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2021; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton (17) reacts in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
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WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 16: Gregory Polanco #25 of the Pittsburgh Pirates at bat against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 16, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 16: Gregory Polanco #25 of the Pittsburgh Pirates at bat against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 16, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

Can the Pirate offense get going?

So far this season the Pittsburgh Pirates have had one of the worst offenses in baseball. In all reality, this should not come as a surprise. The Pirate lineup is one that is not deep and lacks length, and that goes without mentioning Ke’Bryan Hayes and Colin Moran both missing significant time this season due to injury, as well as the season long struggles of Gregory Polanco and Kevin Newman.

The Pirates have scored a National League worst 227 runs thus far this season. They are also also in the NL in on-base percentage (.297) and slugging percentage (.351), putting the Bucs last in the NL in team OPS.

Oh, but wait, there’s more! The Pittsburgh Pirates are also dead last in the NL in home runs hit with just 47. This is 13 home runs less than the Miami Marlins, who sit 14th out of 15 NL teams in home runs hit with 60.

When everyone is healthy the Pirates can have a strong 1-5 with Adam Frazier, Hayes, Bryan Reynolds, Moran and Jacob Stallings. The problem is, due to injury, they have not had this top 5 in the lineup often enough this season.

Schedule