PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) \u2013 It\u2019s the first time in 11 seasons that the Pirates had more wins than losses at the halfway point of the season. What\u2019s the reaction to the Pirates start to the season?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
It seems as much as any recent Bucs season the enthusiasm after wins and disappointment, even anger, after losses is palpable.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“We’re in a good spot,\u201d said Pirates manager Don Kelly. \u201cWe’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 \u2014 I feel like we’ve done that throughout the course of the first half. We’ve faced adversity.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re moving in the right direction,\u201d said Brandon Lowe. \u201cObviously, there are some games that we\u2019ve lost in situations we probably shouldn\u2019t have. As a whole, we\u2019ve 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\u2019ve 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
They will also benefit from the additions of injured players\u2014Jared Jones is back, and cleared to pitch Saturday. Ryan O\u2019Hearn 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\u2019t miss considerable time.<\/p>\n