{"id":70837,"date":"2024-04-19T08:00:50","date_gmt":"2024-04-19T12:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=70837"},"modified":"2024-04-18T23:30:26","modified_gmt":"2024-04-19T03:30:26","slug":"disturbing-trend-pirates-offense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/04\/19\/disturbing-trend-pirates-offense\/","title":{"rendered":"Disturbing Trend for Pirates Offense Must End Soon"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a promising start<\/a>, the Pittsburgh Pirates are now 11-8 thanks in part to a disturbing trend that has emerged. The Pirates began the season by winning their first five games and were the third team in baseball to 10 wins. However, this week’s three-game sweep at the hands of the New York Mets has the Bucs reeling and searching for answers. Although not the only culprit, an all-too-passive approach at the plate has reared its ugly head.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s note at the start that it\u2019s too early to write off the Pirates in 2024. The schedule maker wasn\u2019t kind to the Pittsburgh club, which played 14 of its first 19 games on the road. An 11-8 record under those circumstances is not an achievement to be sneezed at. Furthermore, winning 11 of every 19 games will put the Pirates on a pace to win 94 games. Then again, the concept of pacing is valuable in horse racing but can be meaningless in team sports. At present, the Pirates offense is on a downward trend, which, while disturbing, is also correctable.<\/p>\n

Disturbing Trend for Pirates Offense Must End<\/h2>\n

Let’s Get Geeky and Look at Some Stats<\/h3>\n

After 10 games, at which point they were 8-2<\/a>, the Pirates ranked fourth in the National League with 59 runs scored, fifth in batting average at .266, fourth in OBP at .352, and first in walks with 50. After 18 games, they are eighth in the NL with 92 runs scored, 10th in batting average at .244, and sixth in OBP at .332, but remain first in walks with 88. The walks had much to do with the Bucs\u2019 early success. The offense was running like a well-oiled machine. Batters 1-9 were getting on base and keeping the line moving like a merry-go-round on the base paths. Since then, however, another trend has emerged.<\/p>\n

Namely, the cautious approach that yielded those walks has suddenly morphed into a passivity that has resulted in a more disturbing trend, i.e., an alarming number of called third strikes against the Pirates. They\u2019ve struck out looking 56 times, leading the major leagues as of Wednesday\u2019s action. Of the strikes the Pirates have faced so far, 28.2 percent have resulted in called strikes. Only three teams have looked at a higher percentage of strikes. Moreover, the Pirates have put just 25.2 percent of the strikes they\u2019ve seen in play. That percentage is better than only three other teams.<\/p>\n

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Not that I\u2019ve been keeping track, but the #Pirates<\/a> undoubtedly have to lead the Majors in strikeouts caught looking<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jason Shetler (@Jason_Shetler) April 13, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n