The Pittsburgh Pirates are .500 and I have to say this is at least a step forward, but won't be enough if they plan to make this team what it could be.They have arguably the best two young assets in the game on their roster.
It is possible that it will just take some time for them to figure things out, and learn to win.However, that doesn't mean their stars will be on the same timeline.I think they have to show their players they are serious about making the postseason this year, and make some moves to add a bat and an arm to the lineup.Athletics pitcher J.T.
Ginn delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., on May 18, 2026.(William Liang/AP)In fairness, their hitting hasn't been too much of an issue; they are batting .252.
Their pitching needs to step up.Guys like today's starter, Jared Jones, just aren't people to rely on in a playoff race.
Not that Jones isn't good, or can't be, he actually has some good stuff, but his 4.73 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP are fairly in line with where I expect him to be all season.He has only faced one Athletics hitter in his career and held them hitless in two at-bats.The Athletics tested out their eventual home this past weekend.
They played in Las Vegas and it was...interesting to say the least.
Yesterday alone the Colorado Rockies, a team known for allowing runs instead of scoring them, put up 23 runs on the Athletics.The first game in Las Vegas, which was played at the Athletics' Triple-A affiliate stadium, saw 29 runs between the two teams as the Brewers won 15-14 in 12 innings.
The good news is that despite all the runs, the Athletics still went 4-2 in those games. Pittsburgh Pirates' Brandon Lowe celebrates with Konnor Griffin after both scored on a double by Bryan Reynolds off Chicago Cubs pitcher Jordan Wicks during the first inning in Pittsburgh on May 26, 2026.(Gene J.
Puskar/AP)Their bullpen is probably fairly tired for today's game, though.They used four relievers yesterd...