Chicago Cubs: Assessing state of the National League Central

 Pittsburgh Pirates

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The Pirates were dealt a huge blow in April when All-Star outfielder Starling Marte tested positive for PEDs. As a result of that positive test, Marte was suspended 80 games, and the Pirates lost one of their top outfielders.

With Marte suspended, Andrew McCutchen has been tasked with picking up the slack. Thus far, he has done a good job as he is slashing .268/.343/.494 with 14 home runs and 43 RBI. McCutchen leads Pittsburgh in home runs and RBI, while Josh Harrison leads the team in batting average, OBP, and hits.

Harrison has been able to produce offensively while also playing anywhere he is needed. The 29-year-old has logged innings at second and third base as well as left and right field.

In addition to Harrison and McCutchen, Josh Bell has been solid this season. The rookie who was called up on July 8, 2016, is slashing .230/.313/.451 with 12 home runs and 30 RBI in 71 games this season.

The Pirates’ rotation is full of young arms

Gerrit Cole is the ace of the Pirates’ staff, there is no doubt about it. However, Cole has struggled this season. In 15 starts, Cole is 5-6 with a 4.28 ERA, and 74 strikeouts in 90 1/3 innings pitched.

With Cole struggling, Ivan Nova has stepped up, and provided the Pirates with a starter they can count on. Nova was acquired by the Pirates last summer from the Yankees, and has done nothing but impress since swapping teams. In 11 starts for the Pirates last season, Nova posted a 3.06 ERA with 52 strikeouts and just three walks in 64 2/3 innings. This season, Nova is off to an even better start. The 30-year-old has made 14 starts, and recorded a 2.91 ERA with 54 strikeouts and nine walks in 96 innings pitched.

Besides Cole and Nova, the Pirates have a young and inexperienced starting rotation. Jameson Taillon, Chad Kuhl, and Tyler Glasnow have made a combined 70 major league starts. This number speaks to the inexperience and youth of the Pirates’ starting rotation.

Aside from their rotation, the Pirates’ bullpen is led by Felipe Rivero. Rivero has appeared in 37 games this season, and has recorded a 0.70 ERA with 41 strikeouts and eight walks in 38 1/3 innings pitched.

Despite their talent, the Pirates are struggling

At only five games back in the division, the Pirates are by no means out of the playoff picture. However, the Pirates will need more production out of their offense if they hope to make it to October.

The Pirates’ offense has scored 304 runs, good for 23rd in the majors. In addition to that, Pittsburgh’s .248 team batting average and .393 slugging percentage rank 20th, and 26th in the majors respectively.

These numbers suggest the Pirates will be out of the playoff picture by August, if not sooner. They are already 11 games back in the Wild Card race, so a division title would be the only way for the Pirates to make the postseason. With lack luster hitting, and young pitching, not many people see that as a possibility.