Welcome to SB Nation FanPulse, a survey of fans across MLB. Each week, we send 30 polls to plugged in fans from each team. Pirates fans, sign up HERE to join FanPulse!
In SB Nation’s latest edition of FanPulse, we gauge the reader’s current confidence level in the Pirates and found just a quarter of readers are optimistic about the direction of the team.
Currently, the Pirates are occupying last place in the National League Central, nine games behind both the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals.
Pittsburgh is in the midst of a five-game losing streak and have lost eight of the last ten. The offense has been a quiet contradiction since the All-Star Break and have ‘helped’ create further separation between runs scored and surrendered (-67).
At this point in the season, the Pirates are going to have to pull themselves back together fairly quickly. The front end of the division has been consistent all year and the competition for the two Wild Card spots will likely force the Bucs to win the NL Central if they want to play into late October.
Making things worse is the news that starting pitcher Jameson Taillon probably won’t throw another pitch in 2019. Definitely not what the fans wants to hear as the pitching staff has been (at best) something of an enigma this season.
Last week’s FanPulse showed that readers preferred to sell off at the deadline, which is roughly a week away. As mentioned in the article, Pittsburgh has some value to offer and would do well to gain some reinforcements for the farm system.
Regardless, the team is a tough sell right now and the odds are quickly being stacked against them having a shot at the post-season.
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