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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PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 27: Colin Moran #19 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Kansas City Royals at PNC Park on April 27, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 27: Colin Moran #19 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Kansas City Royals at PNC Park on April 27, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Will the Pittsburgh Pirates get a needed bat back this weekend?

While he has managed to avoid a stint on the injured list, first baseman Colin Moran did not make a single start for the Pittsburgh Pirates as they were being swept in Washington. This is optimistic news for the Pirates as Moran is a key cog in their lineup and missed most of May with a quad issue.

In 141 plate appearances this season Moran is hitting for a .291/.355/.449 slash line to go with 4 home runs and a 123 wRC+. Moran has walked in 8.5% of his trips to the plate, while collecting extra base hits at a 9.4% clip.

This continues to build upon the breakout season Moran had in 2020. Since the start of last season Moran is hitting for a .266/.337/.462 slash line to go with a 117 wRC+, .197 isolated slugging and an extra base hit rate of 9.4%.

Next. Roansy Contreras Dominating at Double-A. dark

Simply put, Moran is one of the best hitters in the Pirate lineup. Any lineup missing one of their best hitters, who is also their clean up, could face some struggles. For a lineup like the Pirates that lacks depth and length, missing that bat can be almost crippling. Hopefully, the Pirates will get Moran back in the lineup this weekend.