St. Louis Cardinals v Pittsburgh Pirates/ Justin K. Aller/GettyImages

This year, for the first time in what feels like for life, the Pittsburgh Pirates entered the All-Star break recognizing they still had significant baseball to use the other side of it.

Resting at.500 at the period unofficial middle, the Pirates remained in the thick of the National League Wild Card race under MLB expanded playoff layout. They have uploaded an 8-9 record in 17 video games because the break to continue to be just under.500 on the period, and they are technically still to life in the playoff race … for now, anyway.

The Pirates have dropped 2 series in the past 2 weeks to the Arizona Diamondbacks, one of their straight NL Wild Card competitors, and they have simply one win in their last six video games. According to FanGraphs, Pittsburgh has just an 11.4% opportunity of making the playoffs this period, and the Pirates are predicted to complete the season simply below.500.

Pirates Playoff Chances: So, you re claiming there ‘ s

an opportunity … Technically, yes. The Pirates can absolutely still make the playoffs. Yet they place t precisely carved out a very easy course for themselves to arrive.Read more pittsburgh pirates playoff odds At website Articles

When as couple of as 1.5 games back of the last National Organization Wild Card area, the Pirates currently rest 4 video games back. They are eight games rear of the Milwaukee Makers for first place in the NL Central Division. Simply put, they are long shots.

Still, for an organization has created simply three playoff teams in the past 3 decades (wow, that was really unfortunate to kind), 11.4% actually doesn t noise that dreadful. Basic supervisor Ben Cherington appears to believe the Pirates have an opportunity; he went out and added to the roster at the profession deadline this season after years of not doing anything yet sell.

The Pirates will go as far as their throwing takes them this season. They have an elite beginning turning that is tailor-made to win in October. However real challengers aren t simply deep at one placement; they re deep almost everywhere. For the Pirates to lose years of irrelevance and overcome their lengthy playoff odds, their schedule and their bullpen demand to start pulling a few of the weight.