{"id":810765,"date":"2017-06-14T09:00:18","date_gmt":"2017-06-14T13:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/piratesbreakdown.com\/?p=15546"},"modified":"2017-06-14T09:00:18","modified_gmt":"2017-06-14T13:00:18","slug":"pittsburgh-pirates-wake-call-bucs-rising-central-standings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesportsdaily.com\/news\/pittsburgh-pirates-wake-call-bucs-rising-central-standings\/","title":{"rendered":"Pittsburgh Pirates Wake Up Call – Bucs Rising in Central Standings"},"content":{"rendered":"

In our Daily Wake-Up Call, we get you ready for the day with a complete look at all things Pittsburgh Pirates.<\/h2>\n

With the up and down season the Pittsburgh Pirates have had through the first two months, it\u2019s easy to look at the current National League Central standings and do a double take.<\/p>\n

However, your eyes don\u2019t deceive you, the Pirates are indeed out of last place in the NL Central.<\/p>\n

After the Bucs 5-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies Tuesday night, they have now won four consecutive games and have passed the Cincinnati Reds for fourth place in the division.<\/p>\n

The central, which was once considered one of the best divisions in baseball just a few years ago, has just two teams \u2013 Milwaukee and Chicago \u2013 with records at or above the .500 mark.<\/p>\n

While the Pirates, who are seeking a series sweep of the Rockies tonight at PNC Park, sit in fourth place, they aren\u2019t far behind the division leaders.<\/p>\n

In fact, they sit just 3.5 games behind the Brewers for first place and could very well make up ground in the next week as they begin a three game weekend series with the Cubs at PNC Park followed by a four game series at Miller Park against the Brew Crew starting Monday.<\/p>\n

With the struggles and the frustrating play that Pirates fans have witnessed this season, it\u2019s kind of mind boggling to think the team has still maintained a 30-35 record and that it\u2019s still good enough to keep them in contention.<\/p>\n

If the Pirates keep up the less than stellar play they’ve showcased through the first few months of the season, there is no doubt they will be in trouble in the long run with teams like the Cubs and Cardinals who will likely heat up in the late summer months of July and August.<\/p>\n

However, with guys like Andrew McCutchen<\/a> progressing and the return of Jameson Taillon<\/a> to a rotation that has had its ups and downs, it\u2019s nice to see the Pirates rolling their way out of their division\u2019s cellar at least for the time being.<\/p>\n

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