Dark horse playoff contender could ruin the Cubs' October plans this season

It's been more than a decade since Jake Arrieta banished the Pittsburgh Pirates to a cellar of irrelevancy with his masterful complete-game shutout in the NL Wild Card Game. That was the last playoff baseball fans in the Steel City witnessed - a painful stretch they're hoping the team can end in 2026.

I know, it sounds crazy. Ask a Chicago Cubs fan about the Pirates, and their knowledge probably starts and stops with Paul Skenes. And nobody would blame them for that answer. But a busy offseason and a highly-ranked farm system have Pittsburgh poised to make noise in the NL Central this year.

According to FanSided's Robert Murray, the Bucs are a team drawing a lot of attention this spring, with newcomer Ryan O'Hearn comparing the club to the 2023 Orioles he played on, a team that went from complete irrelevancy to winning 101 games and the American League East crown. Here's what Murray had to say in his latest MLB roundup.

"Their pitching staff, headlined by Paul Skenes, speaks for itself. But now they have a credible offense with new additions such as Marcell Ozuna, Brandon Lowe and O’Hearn to pair with Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz and more. Their new manager, Don Kelly, has drawn rave reviews from folks early on. I’m optimistic about what’s to come with the Pirates, and I know I’m not alone there."

Pirates aren't going to just roll over for the Cubs again in 2026

By most (all) accounts, this team isn't going to win the division. But they very much could be in play for a wild card spot, especially if Griffin arrives and delivers immediate results, giving the Pirates another franchise cornerstone to slot in next to Skenes. The front office finally made moves to address a woeful offense that ranked dead last in OPS last season, bringing long-sought hope to the fanbase, and a new manager is helping change the tone in camp.

Chicago handled its business against the Pirates in 2025, going 10-3 en route to a 92-win finish and a run to the NLDS. Replicating that success this season won't be easy because the days of Pittsburgh being a punching bag appear to finally be coming to a close.