For most of this season, the Chicago Cubs have pushed the Pirates around. It seemed like every game the Cubs the got the big hit or made the big pitch. Not this series as the Pirates finally punched their bully in the mouth.
Winning this series wasn’t just important in terms of the standings, it was vital for the team to show the Cubs they won’t be an afterthought during the second half of the season. The Pirates are contenders and aren’t just going to concede the NL Central title to the Cubs. They are going to scratch, claw and fight for every win and do whatever it takes.
The Pirates enter the All-Star Break winners of eight of their last 10 and went from the brink of potentially being sellers to right back in both the Wildcard and division title races. They are currently 7.5 games back of the Cubs and while that isn’t ideal, it is a far cry from where the team was only a few weeks ago. Enjoy the All-Star Game because once it’s over, we will have ourselves another pennant race in Pittsburgh.
If you quit on this team because of their 9-19 June, that’s fine because the important thing is the team didn’t quit on themselves. They endured a terrible month and have been dynamic so far in July. The team is also close to getting back Gerrit Cole and Francisco Cervelli from injuries. The best baseball of the season could very well be in front of the Pirates as they prepare for the push towards hopefully another Buctober.
Series Result: Pirates win 2-1
2016 win/loss record: 46-43
2016 series record: 14-12-2
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