Pirates Face Tough Decisions Amid Bullpen Troubles

On June 9, the Pittsburgh Pirates found themselves in a tight 2-2 matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers as they headed into the seventh inning. Ace Paul Skenes had delivered a strong performance, striking out seven batters over six innings. However, by the end of the seventh, the score had ballooned to 12-2 in favor of the Dodgers, marking another significant collapse for the Pirates' bullpen.

This latest downturn wasn't an isolated incident. Just six days prior, the Pirates were in control with an 8-3 lead against the Houston Astros, only to succumb to an 11-9 defeat. Similarly, on May 15, the team built a commanding 6-0 lead against the Philadelphia Phillies, yet still lost 11-9 in extra innings after leading 8-5 into the ninth.

The statistics paint a grim picture of the Pirates' relief pitching. The bullpen has blown 15 saves this season, ranking among the worst in the league with a save percentage of just 51.6%. Their earned run average (ERA) sits at 4.46, placing them 20th overall, and this month has seen that number rise to an alarming 5.98, making it the fifth worst in Major League Baseball.

Despite showcasing talent, evidenced by their ranking of 11th in Stuff+ and third in BotStuff—metrics that assess pitch quality—the Pirates' bullpen struggles primarily stem from poor command. Their pitchers rank last in BotCommand and second-to-last in Location+, leading to an abundance of walks and hard-hit balls against them. Currently, they average 4.43 walks per nine innings, contributing to their difficulties.

As the Pirates find themselves in a rare playoff contention scenario, the need for a turnaround in the bullpen becomes more pressing. With a robust offense that ranks fifth in runs scored, the team remains fourth in the NL Central, largely due to their relief struggles. Pittsburgh has attempted to rectify the situation by calling up several pitchers from their minor league system, including Evan Sisk and Cam Sanders, but these moves have yet to yield positive results.

Looking ahead, the Pirates may need to consider external options as the August 3 trade deadline approaches. While there are promising arms in their minor league system, the lack of proven performers makes it essential for the team to explore potential trades to bolster their struggling bullpen.