Detailing Pirates rough 2nd half schedule

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Depending on the web site you believe, the Pirates have anywhere from the toughest to fifth-toughest schedule in the proverbial second half of the season. No matter who you follow, it’s going to be damn hard for the Bucs in the second half.

And it starts with the winningest team in Major League Baseball, the 62-win Philadelphia Phillies on Friday and doesn’t really let up.

After the Phillies this weekend and the ton of Philadelphia fans who will be traveling west for the game, the Bucs host a Cardinals team currently in the second Wild Card spot. Let’s finish out the month

·       3 games at Arizona-currently a game back of the Wild Card
·       3 games at Houston-with a 28-21 record at home and 50-46 overall

The Pirates enter into August with only four scheduled off-days with a home series against Arizona and then the Padres, tied with the Diamondbacks a game out of the final Wild Card spot. The Bucs then go out west at the NL West Division leading Dodgers followed by a trip to San Diego.

·       Back home to face the Seattle for 3, the Mariners lead the AL West
·       After those 3 quick games at home, at the defending World Series Champion Rangers and while under .500 right now, Texas has won 8 of its last 12
·       While the next two opponents are under .500 currently, both the Reds and Cubs will visit PNC Park currently in the Wild Card race as well
·       Pirates end the month and head into September at Cleveland, the Guardians have the most wins in the American League

So here you are in September potentially facing one team, between the All-Star Break and Labor Day, out of the playoff race.

The easier part comes after a trip to Wrigley Field for three games. The opportunity to make an early September push. You get the Nationals and Marlins at home. It’s six games against teams that are currently a combined 39 games under .500. That is your break, your window, because the rest of the month is a challenge and only six of the 16 remaining games are at home.

·       Kansas City, 2 behind for the final AL Wild Card spot, for the final 3 games of the homestand
·       Then a mid-September trip to St. Louis for four games and three games at Cincinnati
·       The division leading Brewers close out the regular season home schedule with the Tuesday through Thursday visit
·       Then, the Pirates end the season at the New York Yankees. They did have a season-ending series in 1960 that went well against New York.

It’s a second half full of division rivals and playoff, or playoff contending, teams for the Pirates. Meanwhile the Giants, for example, not only get the Marlins and Nationals like the Pirates, but the White Sox, Tigers, Rockies (seven games) and A’s for four games. The Padres get six with Rockies, plus the White Sox, Tigers, Marlins and Washington.

Great to be having this conversation if you are a Pirates fan. If they get back to the postseason for the first time since 2015, they will have earned it.