The Pirates are actually good. I’ve already wrote an article about them discussing more in depth about their recent successful run, but now is the time to start realizing this may be for real. The team is 12 games over .500 for a record of 20-8. This is the best they’ve produced since when they were last 10 wins above .500 since the end of the 2015 season when they went 98-64 and had the second best record in the league.

Well now it’s 2023, 8 years later and 2 failed rebuilds and we have been brought to the 2023 Pirates where their success is consist and imminent for the longevity of the season.

They haven’t had a stretch this good to begin the season since when they went 18-10 in 2018. That season didn’t go super well but the Pirates still finished above .500. With a revitalized farm system and a fire start to their offense, I think it’s the time to consider the Pirates as legit contenders.

It’s crazy to think these Pirates can be competitive, so much can change in one year and the Pirates are providing veteran strength and young talent for a stabilizing roster. The Pirates have swept their doubleheader victory against the Nationals with the veteran pitchers they signed this offseason who have proved more than what we assumed they would be capable of.

The Pirates made a hype video for the signing of Vince Velasquez as if he was a perennial star pitcher, but he wasn’t. He never was close to being a good pitcher. Yet the Pirates have managed to put those talks to silent with the performance of the two old veterans to anchor the rotation. Velasquez is 4-2 with an ERA just above 3.00. I guess pitchers and batters have an easier time adjusting to baseball when they don’t have a lot of stress to produce wins leaning on their shoulder.

The bullpen is lights out with David Bednar collecting his 9th save of the season. They rank 4/15 for NL teams for ERA, 1/15 for saves and 6/15 for strikeouts. We can really appreciate the success going on in Pittsburg after having multiple years of disappointment undermine their seasons.

All 5 of their starting rotation members are above league average. It’s the first time since 2013 that all members of their starting rotation are above league average.

Maybe now is the time to start respecting the run the Pirates are on. Their offense is still hot and their pitching is producing. I am really confident to think the Pirates could be long in contention towards the end of the season. The cardinals have a worse rotation then the Pirates but it looks like this year is set to be better for these Pirates. They have what it takes to take home the NL central crown for the first time in a decade. If they can beat the Cardinals then they can beat any team and have long term success for the season.