The Pittsburgh Pirates have a bright future, and there is plenty of confidence that it will turn into major playoff success.
Pittsburgh finished with a 76-86 record for the second-straight campaign in 2024, but there is reason for optimism. The hopefulness, of course, comes with Paul Skenes leading the way as the team’s ace. He’s not alone with Jared Jones right behind him as well as Mitch Keller — plus prospect Bubba Chandler is on his way to the majors as well. With so much potential and a proven superstar at the top of the rotation, the Pirates are building.
MLB.com’s Will Leitch has predicted the next 10 World Series matchups, and they believe in what the Pirates are building right now.
Leitch has the Pirates making it to the 2028 World Series, facing off with the Baltimore Orioles — but coming up short in the series.
“This is a rematch of the 1971 and 1979 World Series, and I don’t think there’s any question that we should demand each team wear the jerseys they wore then, at least for one game,” Leitch wrote. “This seems like the right year for both of these teams. The Orioles, presumably, will have won a playoff series at some point by 2028 and will be ready to take the next step forward before their young talent becomes, well, less young. (If Gunnar Henderson doesn’t sign an extension, 2028 will be his final season before reaching free agency.) Meanwhile, the Paul Skenes experience will be in full flower by this point: He’ll only be 26, after all. At some point, he may carry a team to the World Series by himself. He’ll look fantastic in those ‘We Are Family’ throwbacks.”
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Hopefully, for Pittsburgh fans, the Pirates start to show signs of being a contender in the upcoming 2025 season.
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Featured image via Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images