The Pittsburgh Pirates enter the 2025 season likely as the third-best team in the National League Central, but that could change by season’s end.
The Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers are formidable at the top, but Pittsburgh has exciting young talent and could be in the early stages of a rise within the division. They’re certainly not the favorites, but the Pirates could carve a path to contending for that title if these progressions are made.
Here are the three steps the Pirates can take to compete for the NL Central crown:
Young Pitching Dominates From Start
The Pirates have a bona fide ace in Paul Skenes, who could very well steamroll his way to the NL Cy Young Award in 2025. Jared Jones joins veterans such as Mitch Keller and Andrew Heaney to form stability in the middle of the rotation.
The X-Factor could be Pittsburgh’s top prospect, Bubba Chandler, who might not be far from his call to the big leagues. He excelled in his introduction to Triple-A last year and dominated in MLB’s Spring Breakout Game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Chandler absolutely raises the ceiling of the rotation and could be the necessary boost for the Pirates.
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Outfield Supplies Power
A few position changes reshaped the look of the Pirates outfield for 2025, headlined by Oneil Cruz patrolling center field and Bryan Reynolds moving to right field. Those two bats have to drive production for Pittsburgh to have any shot at competing for a division title.
Improve Against NL Central
The Pirates have not had a winning record against NL Central teams since 2018. The conversation of division contention starts and ends with a winning record against their fiercest opponents.
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Featured image via Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images