3 Pirates leading recent offensive surge (but 2 remain likely trade candidates)

Over the last 10 games, the Pirates have played excellent baseball and that has resulted in two series wins and a split. That 6-4 stretch has gotten Pittsburgh to a 21-36 record. The postseason feels far out of reach at this point, but there is still some optimism that this team can find success. Offense was all the Pirates were missing through the first quarter of the year, and things are starting to change.

During these last 10, the Pirates' offense scored 42 runs, snapping their 26-game streak of four runs or fewer per game. They also scored seven runs in back-to-back games for the first time since last August.

They have desperately needed that boost at the plate to complement their pitching staff. Now that they are getting that, Pittsburgh has some momentum to attempt to sniff .500 entering the summer months. June is where it needs to happen to stay relevant around the All-Star Break and trade deadline. The Pirates will play 27 games in June with multiple winnable series against the Marlins, Rangers, Brewers, and Astros. They also add a few tough opponents in the Phillies, Tigers, Cubs, and Mets.

The goal for that stretch should be to go 17-10 or better. Doing so would get them into July eight games under .500. That could also give them a chance to claw back to ideally four or five games back before the All-Star Break. They then have a favorable series against the White Sox after the break, and if they can stay consistent selling will no longer be in the picture.

3 Pirates who are responsible for this offensive surge turning things around

There are a handful of players standing out right now to lead this charge. One of them is Henry Davis as he is now taking over the starting catching duties with Joey Bart suffering a concussion in Arizona. He is getting it done at the plate and behind it, posting an 83 wRC+ with a .652 OPS and 0.4 fWAR through just 20 games. Those numbers are below average on the year, yet this month his wRC+ is up to 129.

Adam Frazier has also heated up, batting .255 with 14 RBI and an 85 wRC+. In May his wRC+ is exactly on the league average of 100. If he keeps it up, he will likely be dealt at the deadline. Regardless of where the Pirates are sitting in the standings, Frazier is very likely to be traded as Nick Gonzales is close to a return.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa is in the same boat as Frazier as a trade option and his value is steadily rising with a hot streak. A strong May has him batting .297 on the year with a 102 wRC+. He normally bats eighth or ninth, so him heating up has been a great lineup flipper for Oneil Cruz.

These three have been the main contributors to this 6-4 stretch the Pirates are coming off of. Even while it seems like a long shot, if this offense produces at an average rate, they can make a dramatic change to the outcome of this season. Let's see if that can use this momentum into this upcoming series with the Padres.