Pittsburgh Pirates: Young Bucs Shine and Other Takeaways From Sweeping the Padres

Have the Pirates started to get back on track? It's possible after picking up a huge series sweep of the San Diego Padres.

Jun 29, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Nick Gonzales (39) and
Jun 29, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Nick Gonzales (39) and | Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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Young Bucs shining and a big bounce back series from the bullpen help to carry the Pittsburgh Pirates to a sweep of the San Diego Padres

Tuesday night the Pittsburgh Pirates started a six-game homestand that felt like a bit of a crossroads. Losers of 12 of 13 games to plummet from first place in the NL Central to 4th place, it felt like this homestand could be a bit of a final stand for the 2023 Pittsburgh Baseball Club.

To their credit, through the first series of the homestand the Pittsburgh Pirates have answered in a big way.

The Pirates swept the San Diego Padres in their three-game series, the first series of the season between the two clubs. With the series sweep, the Pirates are now 38-42 overall on the season which puts them in third place in the NL Central 4.5 games out of first place. Additionally, they are now 11-12-1 in the 24 series they have played this season.

Before looking ahead to a big series this weekend against a divisional foe in the Milwaukee Brewers, let's take a look back at the Pirates sweeping the Padres. Here are takeaways from the Bucs sweeping the Friars.