On Friday, the Pittsburgh Pirates will play at PNC Park for the first time in the 2025 season. The team has played two series so far and have a record of 2-5, which is not ideal.
The one bright spot on the team has been their ace, Paul Skenes. Skenes has made two starts so far this year and has done great work. On opening day, he threw 5.1 innings and only gave up three hits, but the bullpen struggled and the Buccos lost.
Skenes then pitched on Wednesday against the Rays and was outstanding. He had six strikeouts over seven innings and carried the team to a 4-2 victory.
The bullpen, meanwhile, has been the main struggle for the Pirates early on in the season. The starters have done well, for the most part, but the relievers have let leads slip away.
Their closer, David Bednar, picked up where he left off last season and started off the season with a 27 ERA before getting demoted to the minor leagues. Dennis Santana is the acting closer now, and if he does not work out, the team has options like Colin Holderman and Justin Lawrence, who was the Rockies closer in the past.
Another weakness for the team so far has been fundamentals, like baserunning and fielding errors.
One big problem has been the baserunning of Ji Hwan Bae. Bae is on the team for one reason and one reason only – his speed. Bae is a below-average hitter and fielder, but his stelar speed got him a spot on the opening day roster. Yet he has been an awful baserunner for the Pirates ever since 2023. He gets caught stealing and picked off more than anyone should, and he costs the team many outs.
Earlier in the week, the Pirates traded for outfielder Alexander Canario, who should replace Bae and will be an upgrade for the team.
Fielding, meanwhile, has also been a big weak spot. The Pirates moved shortstop Oneil Cruz to center field and he has not been good. He is missing fly balls that most outfielders should get to, and he is making throws that should not happen. He has misplayed fly balls that cost the Pirates the game and has thrown balls to home plate when he should have hit the cutoff man.
The mistakes the Pirates have been making could be solved, and they need to be fixed while it is still early in the season.
