PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It’s the first time in 11 seasons that the Pirates had more wins than losses at the halfway point of the season. What’s the reaction to the Pirates start to the season?
It seems as much as any recent Bucs season the enthusiasm after wins and disappointment, even anger, after losses is palpable.
There have been bad losses, probably none as bad as a hit batter, wild pitch and four errors costing a win against the Nationals. That was just one in a litany of blown saves. There were the bad defensive games, a few behind Paul Skenes. Pirates are just 3-6 in extra inning games and 1-34 when trailing after eight innings
There were also the positives from Braxton Ashcraft to 19 home runs from Brandon Lowe. The series win at Milwaukee and sweep of the Reds, just an overall better offense third in the majors in runs scored, an incredible jump from being dead last in 2025.
"We're in a good spot,” said Pirates manager Don Kelly. “We've been resilient, we've bounced back and this series was no different, against a really good team in the Mariners. To come back and win the series the last two — I feel like we've done that throughout the course of the first half. We've faced adversity.”
“We’re moving in the right direction,” said Brandon Lowe. “Obviously, there are some games that we’ve lost in situations we probably shouldn’t have. As a whole, we’ve lost them on every side of the ball. I think everyone in here takes them as learning experiences and you have those in the first. Hopefully we’ve gotten some of those out of the way and we can start playing some really good baseball here and have some fun here in the second half.”
They will also benefit from the additions of injured players—Jared Jones is back, and cleared to pitch Saturday. Ryan O’Hearn missed time and returned. Konnor Griffin is back in Pittsburgh and might be activated on Friday. Oneil Cruz will is starting to take steps in his recovery. He had some monster games after an inauspicious start on Opening Day. Spencer Horwitz might be the most consistent hitter, and while out now, likely won’t miss considerable time.
Don Kelly gets to 100 career wins
“Right now we've got a bunch of guys hurt and everybody shows up every single day working to get better themselves and working to help the team win in any way possible,” Kelly said. “There's a better team that we'll see in the second half, more consistent, need to move the plate better to get where we want to do.”
“We're in a good spot but we're not there yet."
Starting the second half of the season, the Pirates are 2.5 games out of the last playoff spot in one of the most competitive first halves in the National League in years with eight teams within four wins of the top Wild Card slot.
1st time in 11 years, Bucs over .500 at halfway point
1st time in 11 years, Bucs over .500 at halfway point
