Why Brandon Lowe Is Optimistic About Pirates’ 2026 Playoff Odds

The Pittsburgh Pirates made a big splash last week, acquiring three players from the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team trade with the Houston Astros.

The Pirates’ return was headlined by Brandon Lowe, a two-time All-Star infielder capable of giving Pittsburgh’s offense a major boost.

While the Pirates finished 20 games below .500 and were last in the NL Central last season, Lowe is optimistic about his new team’s playoff chances for 2026.

“I feel like there’s a real opportunity there for a deep push and some playoff baseball in Pittsburgh. The pitching staff is legit,” Lowe told Jason Mackey of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Brandon Lowe: "I feel like there’s a real opportunity there for a deep push and some playoff baseball in Pittsburgh. The pitching staff is legit."

— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) December 22, 2025

He’s right about that. Led by NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, the Pirates ranked seventh in MLB in ERA last season. Even after trading Mike Burrows and Johan Oviedo this offseason, they’re still loaded with young pitching.

Meanwhile, their offense is poised to improve after ranking last in runs, home runs and OPS last year. With Lowe and Jhostynxon Garcia now in the mix, Pittsburgh’s lineup already looks considerably more dangerous, especially if Bryan Reynolds bounces back, Oneil Cruz steps up and No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin debuts.

The offseason is still young. If Ben Cherington adds another impact bat and continues to upgrade the Pirates’ roster, they could be headed for a winning season and potentially their first playoff appearance since 2015 next year.

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