Talking Baseball: Vol. 11

The trade deadline happened. Here are some thoughts on the Pittsburgh Pirates and more.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have managed to stay in the National League Wild Card race and did enough prior to the July 30 trade deadline to convince general manager Ben Cherington to give them some help.

It sets the stage for an absolutely massive two week stretch that is going to see the Pirates play nine of their next 12 games against the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres (two of the teams directly ahead of them in the standings) with three games mixed in against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It is going to be a challenge. It is the latest make-or-break stretch in a season full of make-or-break stretches. It is also going to be kind of fun, because I am going to be honest with you — I figured I would be focused on the Pittsburgh Steelers at this point in the summer and I am here to tell you I could not give less of a shit about their training camp at the moment. Simply because there is still meaningful baseball happening.

On one hand, this is going to be an absolute gauntlet of a stretch. Not only are Arizona and San Diego ahead of them in the standings, both teams are playing exceptionally well right now and the Dodgers are still the Dodgers. If they win six or seven games out of this stretch — which would be enough to still probably keep pace — I think I would take that. Eight wins would be more desirable.

On the other hand, expectations should be high because the Pirates have played well against some of the league’s top teams this season, are 38-31 since Paul Skenes made his debut and have been one of the best teams in the league over the past month in terms of wins.

Almost all of that is due to their starting pitching rotation which already got one boost this week by putting Bailey Falter back in place of Martin Perez (traded to San Diego). It will hopefully get another boost in the coming weeks with the return of Jared Jones. The presence of Skenes and Keller, as well as the emergence of Luis Ortiz and Falter has put the Pirates in a position where they have a chance to win almost every night no matter how bad the lineup, defense or bullpen is around them. It has helped stop potential losing streaks before they can begin, kept them competitive and helped them stay in the race.

They have their three best current pitchers (Skenes, Keller, and Ortiz) going this weekend at PNC Park against the Diamondbacks. It should be fun. It will also be the first chance for the Pirates’ newest players — outfielder Bryan De La Cruz and infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa — to play at home.

Let’s talk about them, as well as some other trade deadline stuff from around Major League Baseball.