![\"Konnor](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Griffin-1-1120x630.jpg\")
Photo provided by Eddie Provident\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhoto provided by Eddie Provident\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
The Pirates (46-45) took two out of three against the Nationals in Washington, posting a 4-3 record through the first third of their 22-game stretch against teams at or above .500. While they entered play four games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the National League\u2019s third and final Wild Card spot, the Pirates are managing to tread water without key pieces like Spencer Horwitz and Oneil Cruz.<\/p>\n
Their offensive consistency, young stars like Konnor Griffin and \u2014 dare I say it? \u2014 a positive step for their bullpen all stood out as they claimed their series against the Nationals. Here are three observations from the series in Washington.<\/p>\n
No All-Stars? No Problem<\/p>\n
The Pirates have one of the best offenses in baseball this season, but none of their position players earned a spot in the All-Star Game.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have the third-most runs in baseball, but I mean, our offense is just a buzzsaw. No one wants to face us. I think it\u2019s pretty easy to make the case for Bryan [Reynolds] and Brandon [Lowe] and I think there are others too,\u201d said Paul Skenes, the club\u2019s lone All-Star, of the snub. \u201cCouple guys got hurt that would be All-Stars too, I think in Oneil [Cruz] and Spencer [Horwitz]. There\u2019s still time, who knows.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even without any All-Stars, the Pirates\u2019 batters keep the line moving and the runs come pouring in. They didn\u2019t manage any extra base hits on Saturday, July 4<\/a>, plating seven runs on the strength of 11 singles and three walks. Canny baserunning helped them rattle Nationals\u2019 starter Cade Cavalli on July 5 and \u2014 with all due respect to Bryan Reynolds and Brandon Lowe \u2014 the Pirates\u2019 committee approach is working for them.<\/p>\n Bullpen Back in it?<\/p>\n Outside of Isaac Mattson\u2019s struggles on July 3 in a game already out of reach, the Pirates\u2019 bullpen had a quietly good series. Yohan Ram\u00edrez issued three walks but managed to pitch two scoreless innings on July 4, extending a career-best run of 14 scoreless innings. Dennis Santana and Cam Sanders each spun one scoreless frame apiece later in that game; Mason Montgomery entered with the bases loaded and nobody out in relief of Bubba Chandler on July 5 and managed to wriggle out of the jam with just one run crossing.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mattson and Gregory Soto entered after that, keeping the game tied long enough for the Pirates to pull ahead with an eighth inning rally. Bullpen struggles like the Pirates have had this season often take a one step forward, one step back pattern, but it\u2019s a trend to monitor down the stretch.<\/p>\n Konnor Griffin a 20-20 Candidate<\/p>\n Konnor Griffin broke a 111-year-old Pirates\u2019 record with his third inning steal on July 5, recording his 20th stolen base in his 59th career game. Doug Baird held the previous record, hitting the 20-steal plateau in his 60th career game back in 1915.\u00a0<\/p>\n With five homers and 20 steals \u2014 and after missing close to a month due to injury \u2014 Griffin could flirt with the 20-20 club during his first season in the big leagues. He\u2019ll have a legitimate shot at doing so next season. For those who haven\u2019t heard, Griffin is still just 20 years old. He has plenty of time to build power and refine his approach at the plate.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: Bryan Reynolds<\/a> Konnor Griffin<\/a> Mason Montgomery<\/a> Paul Skenes<\/a> Pirates<\/a> <\/p>\n