Pirates’ Losing Streak Reaches Nine Games

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August 14, 2024

Pirates Lose Ninth Consecutive Game

The Pittsburgh Pirates lost their ninth consecutive game at the San Diego Padres 3-0 Tuesday night, extending what has become the longest active losing streak in baseball. For a team that had not lost three consecutive games since the month of May, a slump like this is quite concerning. The question that then needs to be asked is: what has gone wrong for the Pirates during this stretch?

Pirates’ Recent Acquisitions Not as Advertised?

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Following the trade deadline acquisitions of talents such as OF Bryan De La Cruz (.238, 18 HR) from the Miami Marlins and IF Isiah Kiner-Falefa (.284, .744 OPS) from the Toronto Blue Jays, it was expected that The Pirates would continue their push for their first playoff bid since 2015. Things haven’t gone as planned. Entering the trade deadline, the Pirates were two games out of a wild card spot in the National League. They now sit seven games out of the wild card and are last in the NL Central.

The easy thing to do in this situation would be to point the fingers at De La Cruz and Kiner-Falefa for the regression. In 10 games thus far with the Pirates, De La Cruz has a miserable .167 batting average and .353 OPS. Kiner-Falefa has done slightly better in his early start, batting a respectable .238 with a .654 OPS. It is undeniable that the new Pirates are going through some growing pains. However, to say that this is the only reason for the team’s recent struggles would be unfair.

Inconsistent Bullpen Play

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One of the Pirates’ biggest weaknesses throughout this season has been bullpen play. The Pirates made some minor additions to the bullpen at the deadline in Jalen Beeks (6-4, 4.39 ERA, 5 SV) and Josh Walker. However, these additions have not been able to salvage the Pirates’ relieving core.

David Bednar (3-5, 5.75 ERA, 20 SV), heralded as one of the league’s best closing pitchers entering the season, hasn’t been quite as advertised. During this current losing stretch, Bednar in particular has had his fair share of lowlights. On August 8 against the Padres, Bednar was booed off the field at PNC Park after allowing 3 runs in the ninth inning before being pulled. Bednar would then blow another save opportunity allowing two runs in the 10th inning to the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 11.

Bednar is far from the only Pirate struggling in the bullpen. Relievers Kyle Nicolas (2-2, 2.93 ERA) and Colin Holderman (3-5, 3.43 ERA) have also struggled during the losing skid. Nicolas allowed five hits in an August 6 loss to the Padres. Holderman gave up 3 runs and took a loss on August 4 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Moving Forward

Whilst the Pirates may not be completely out of the playoff hunt, this recent losing streak has definitely been a blow to the team’s positive momentum. In a highly competitive national league, the team will need to iron out these flaws to make a renewed playoff push. If the skid continues, questions may arise surrounding the job security of manager Derek Shelton. In five seasons with the Pirates, Shelton is currently 274-391 and has not had a winning season.

The Pirates will look to snap their losing skid in San Diego tonight in a series closer against the Padres.