The Pittsburgh Pirates were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Monday with their 4-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park — a disappointing outcome as they kicked off their final homestand of the year on Roberto Clemente Day.
The defeat dropped the Pirates’ record to 65-86, knocking them out of the postseason race with 11 games left to play and matching their loss total from each of the last two years. This marks Pittsburgh’s 10th straight season without a playoff appearance — the second-longest active streak in baseball behind the Los Angeles Angels (11 seasons).
The last-place Pirates were shut out for the 16th time this season, managing just three hits as Jameson Taillon and the Cubs’ bullpen held them scoreless. Offense has been a problem for them all year, as they rank last in MLB with 3.6 runs per game and are averaging just 3.1 runs per game in September.
Braxton Ashcraft took the loss after allowing three runs in four innings — the most runs he’s allowed in a start thus far. Michael Busch and Pete Crow-Armstrong both homered for Chicago, helping improve the Cubs’ record to 86-64.
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Pittsburgh continued its September swoon with its ninth loss in its last 10 games, including its fourth straight home loss. Regardless of what happens, the Pirates have already clinched a winning record at PNC Park this year with 42 wins.
Pittsburgh’s success at home has been outweighed by the team’s struggles on the road, however, as the club is 23-52 with a minus-85 run differential in away games.
While the Pirates have a good young pitching staff headlined by Paul Skenes, it’s clear they need to add some bats this winter and play better on the road next year if they want to end their postseason drought.
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Featured image via David Dermer/Imagn Images