Pittsburgh Pirates Wake Up Call: A fun scene in a not-so-fun month

In our daily Wake-Up Call, we get you ready for the day with a complete look at all things Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pittsburgh Pirates fans were treated yesterday to a fantastic scene in Williamsport.

Despite some grumbling from observers and fanbase alike earlier in the day, Major League Baseball created a fantastic atmosphere, from the moment the clubs walked off their plane on through the game. Call it a thoughtful treat in the middle of a month that has seen the Pittsburgh Pirates’ postseason chances wilt by the day.

It was clear that the game energized both teams. The details in the game — the extra mics and unique stadium build that resulted in hearing every crack of the bat in stunning auditory detail, for example — shone through. Just a fantastic job all around, and a welcome distraction for Pirates fans.

Keep your eyes out for our wrap-up of the event as told through player and team social media later today.

Is .500 now the goal?

With not so many games left in the regular season, and the postseason becoming more of a pipe dream with each passing day, the Pittsburgh Pirates might now be playing for something else.

After successfully breaking the 20-year streak of seasons under .500, the club will have to play solid baseball the rest of the way to avoid starting another such dubious streak. Earlier this week, we asked you if the team could do it, and here’s your take:

Assuming they lose tonight the Pirates will need a 24-17 record the rest of the way to finish above .500

Can they do it?

— Jason Rollison (@jrollisonpgh) August 19, 2017

Here’s the nuts and bolts of it: The Pittsburgh Pirates play a brutal stretch of their schedule over the next two weeks, with 11 games against the Los Angeles Dodgers (4) and Chicago Cubs (7) in their immediate future. The bright side here is that the Pirates can theoretically guide their own destiny in those seven games against Chicago, yet there has been nothing seen in the team’s play lately that suggests they can win the necessary five or six games out of those seven to make up any difference.

And so, it would seem that the Pirates are playing mainly due avoid a losing season.

Which means a ton to this fan base. Ending the season at .500 or better would go a considerable way towards healing some fans’ wounds inflicted during the 2017 season. More importantly, doing so could have a profound effect on next year’s attendance, which is paramount.

Baseball Talk on the Web

• Fangraphs’ lead prospect writer Eric Longenhagen released his summer top 100 prospects update. Austin Meadows checks in at number 14. To see where other Pittsburgh Pirates ‘spects landed, click here.
• Every week, MLB Trade Rumors collects the best of independent baseball media. PBD is honored to be featured, and we encourage you to check out the latest installment.
• BtBS dissects former Pittsburgh Pirates hurler Charlie Morton‘s year with the Astros.

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