Are the pirates a guaranteed lock for the playoffs?

[Clayton]

I guess everyone here believes that the pirates are guaranteed to make the postseason. Tell me on this road trip starting tonight for the bucs. Will they play like the same team at home or even better on the road?

Pitching travels. Honestly, I dont think they'll collapse this year but Im definitely rooting for it

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Truthfully - I don't think any team is a lock for the playoffs at this point even though it's pretty close to being a lock including the Pirates. Woes can happen real quick and knock them out really fast. Not likely to happen and I would love to see the Pirates get in there for a change, but it's too soon to say guaranteed

 

[Texas_Pete]

As a Ranger fan I remember this time last year thinking we were a playoff lock and then three weeks from the end we hit an epic slump, so I'd say nothing is certain until it's a clinch.

 

[RobToxin]

I really want the Pirates to beat the Braves in the playoffs, preferably in the NLCS...

But that's getting way ahead of myself.

I spy a Pirates fan from the 90s.

 

[IlovethisGame925]

Pitching travels. Honestly, I dont think they'll collapse this year but Im definitely rooting for it

What do you mean pitching travels?

 

[Darkstone42]

I spy a Pirates fan from the 90s.

That series is basically my first memory as a Pirate fan. And I barely have it. I was almost 4.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

As a Ranger fan I remember this time last year thinking we were a playoff lock and then three weeks from the end we hit an epic slump, so I'd say nothing is certain until it's a clinch.

The opera is never over until the fat lady sings - That's what I'm saying. Sports team in contentions lasts about as long as a man telling his wife he's the boss

 

[geneh_33]

2 things:

1. They have to play and beat the hottest team in baseball in order to go anywhere. They won't get past the Braves. No one will.

2. Everybody knows that the Atlanta Braves are America's team. Pirates are looking good and congrats on that, but you've a long way to go before you get up on a high horse. So step down from it and look around. Keep playing good baseball and the Pirates will get into the playoffs. But not for long!

 

[romeo212000]

2 things:

1. They have to play and beat the hottest team in baseball in order to go anywhere. They won't get past the Braves. No one will.

2. Everybody knows that the Atlanta Braves are America's team. Pirates are looking good and congrats on that, but you've a long way to go before you get up on a high horse. So step down from it and look around. Keep playing good baseball and the Pirates will get into the playoffs. But not for long!

Pretty sure Atlanta is the team with a history of early exits from the playoffs in recent years.

 

[molsaniceman]

Pretty sure Atlanta is the team with a history of early exits from the playoffs in recent years.

and the pirates dont? last 2 times they met in playoffs braves won but its all ancient history and means diddly squat today

Pirates magic number to make playoffs is 42 with 47 games left good chance with 47 left Win the division might be little harder Cards have real easy schedule last 2 weeks of the season Pirates get Reds 6 games

On the flip side cards have 2 weeks where they play Atl/Cin/Pitt/Cinn all in early sept
Going to be a great race in the NLC this year

 

[geneh_33]

Pretty sure Atlanta is the team with a history of early exits from the playoffs in recent years.

We won't go into the Pirates' history.

History doesn't matter anyway. RIGHT NOW Atlanta is the hottest team in baseball. We even swept the Cardinals, the team the Pirates are trying to catch up with.

 

[romeo212000]

We won't go into the Pirates' history.

History doesn't matter anyway. RIGHT NOW Atlanta is the hottest team in baseball. We even swept the Cardinals, the team the Pirates are trying to catch up with.

The pirates are 4 games ahead of the cardinals.

 

[geneh_33]

The pirates are 4 games ahead of the cardinals.

For now. You sure can't count the Cards out.

Meanwhile, the Braves pretty much have the East all sewn up.

 

[Chef99]

The pirates are 4 games ahead of the cardinals.

Ouch...that was one of those STFU moments.

 

[romeo212000]

For now. You sure can't count the Cards out.

Meanwhile, the Braves pretty much have the East all sewn up.

True, no argument with either of those statements. My only issues with Atlanta making a deep playoff run are two things.

1) Your starting pitching is a giant question mark. Yes you've got some talented young guys, but you really have no idea what you'll get from them in October.

2) Your offense can be very powerful, but is also incredibly streaky and prone to the strikeout. It's also very reliant on the home run ball. Both of those things can work against you come playoff time. Great pitching almost always beats big hitting in October.

 

[Clayton]

2. Everybody knows that the Atlanta Braves are America's team.

Dude, you guys are on an amazing hot streak and ESPN is giving you like 2 minutes of coverage. If this was the Yankees, it would be half of the show.

 

[romeo212000]

Dude, you guys are on an amazing hot streak and ESPN is giving you like 2 minutes of coverage. If this was the Yankees, it would be half of the show.

True story. Also, Texas has win 10 of its last 11 and I've heard zero mention of them.

 

[Texas_Pete]

True story. Also, Texas has win 10 of its last 11 and I've heard zero mention of them.

I actually like that, every time ESPN gives us attention we slump. Rangers need to slip in behind the media, let A-Rod and Puig keep their attention.

 

[steelparrot]

Nothing is certain, but it would take a terrible dive for the Dbacks to catch us for the last spot.

America's team?, Noone can claim that imo, I'm sure most other fans will root for us unless its vs their team.

 

[geneh_33]

Ouch...that was one of those STFU moments.

No it wasn't. If you had the 15 game lead that we do, nobody would ever think it possible.

The Cards will catch the Pirates and pass them up because the Cards have the better team. You guys should get a wildcard, though.