Over the last ten games leading up to tonight, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been the worst team in baseball. Yes, they have been worse than the Colorado Rockies, the Chicago White Sox and the Oakland Athletics.
The Pirates remained winless in their last ten games and watched their entire season go down the drain before their eyes.
It was a complete disaster, but on Friday night they had Paul Skenes on the pitch and wanted to end their terrible losing streak.
Despite their poor performance, if they were going to win a game at all, it would have to be one with Skenes on the mound. He was so dominant that the Pirates actually look incredible when he’s on the mound.
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Skenes did his job, throwing six two-run innings. He seemed unhittable at times but struggled to find the zone at times. Chapman and Nicolas were impressive behind Skenes, while Bednar made a nerve-wracking save to secure the win.
Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, two of their top players suffered injuries and left the game before the last out was recorded.
Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates legend, was taken off the roster because of left knee discomfort. Oneil Cruz, the team’s young shortstop, was taken off the roster because of left ankle discomfort.
Andrew McCutchen has been ruled out of today’s game due to left knee discomfort and Oneil Cruz has been ruled out of today’s game due to left ankle discomfort. Both are currently being evaluated and treated by medical staff.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) 17 August 2024
It seems like Pittsburgh just doesn’t have any luck. A few weeks ago, it looked like the team had an outside chance of making the playoffs. They had signed a few talented players who could help their team now, and some of their pitchers just seemed unhittable. But during their 10-game losing streak, everything fell apart.
And as they emerge from one of the league’s worst slumps, they watch two of their greatest talents leave the game.
The severity of the injuries is currently unclear, but all Pittsburgh fans remain optimistic that neither of them will end up on the injured list.
Pittsburgh is seven games under .500 and seven games out of an NL Wild Card spot, and it looks like they could end the season with the white flag, especially if Cruz or McCutchen end up on the injured list due to these injuries.
