Pittsburgh Pirates: The Good Luck Bucs

As the early season wins continue to pile up, it's time to start to believe in this group of Pittsburgh Pirates

For the Sunday afternoon series finale vs the Cincinnati Reds, I brought my broom to PNC Park. No, it wasn't because I was pursuing my dream of being an excellent custodian. Instead, I brought it because the Pittsburgh Pirates were going for the sweep. While on the way to my seats, an usher called out to me "You already jinxed it! Never bring the broom!"

What that usher didn't know is that there's no jinxing these good luck Bucs.

The Pittsburgh Pirates went on to shut out the Reds 2-0, backed by an impressive 7 inning, 10 strikeout performance by starting pitcher Vince Velasquez. Closer David Bednar also picked up his MLB-leading 8th save of the season. The Pirates have now won 7 games in a row.

When a team is as hot as the Pirates are right now, there is no superstitious mumbo jumbo that can stop them.

Yes, it's a long MLB season and the Pirates still have nearly 140 games left to play. Yet, there is something undeniably special about this team thus far. For starters, the Pirate pitching has been near immaculate through 23 games.

They own a 3.63 team ERA which is 3rd best in the National League. They are also top 10 in virtually every hitting category in the league (runs, hits, doubles, home runs, stolen bases and slugging percentage) to name a few.

The Pirates' statistics are breathtaking to begin the 2023 season, but that's not what is most special about this team. Manager Derek Shelton and returning fan favorite Andrew McCutchen has the team believing again.

Shelton, who was just extended by the Pirates on Saturday, has used his laid back, player focused approach to transform this Pirates team from rebuilders to contenders. That is not to say that the Pirates will immediately contend for a World Series this season, but rather that they are on the right path for the coming years.

On Tuesday night, the Pirates' hottest start in decades will be put to the test as they welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers to town for a three-game series. If the Pirates win the first two games of the series vs the Dodgers, one can bet that I will be bringing my broom to the ballpark once again.