The Pittsburgh Pirates were shut out for the 16th time this season on Monday, losing 4-0 to the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park and getting eliminated from playoff contention for the 10th straight season.
It was a fitting way for the Pirates’ postseason hopes to end, as they’ve been one of the worst offensive teams in baseball all year. They rank last in the Major Leagues in several hitting categories, including runs per game (3.58), home runs (107), slugging percentage (.348) and OPS (.653).
The lack of power is particularly alarming, as Pittsburgh enters play on Tuesday with its lowest slugging percentage in 40 years. The Pirates haven’t had a slugging percentage this low since 1985, when they slugged .347 the year before Barry Bonds debuted. With 11 games left, there’s a chance the 2025 team could finish lower than that.
Pittsburgh’s power has declined in September with just seven homers and a season-worst .295 slugging percentage in 13 games this month, which explains the club’s 4-9 record during that stretch.
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The Pirates have only three players with double-digit homers this season, led by Oneil Cruz’s 19. Spencer Horwitz and Tommy Pham both have nine, however, so they could join that group soon.
Horwitz is the only hitter on the roster with a slugging percentage over .400, and just barely at .406. He’s also the team’s only batter with an OPS+ over 100 (107).
The lack of power is a big reason why Pittsburgh is 21 games below .500 despite having arguably the game’s best pitcher and one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. If the Pirates want to end their decade-long playoff drought, they need to add significant pop to their lineup this offseason.
More Pirates: Pirates Eliminated From Playoff Contention With Loss To Cubs
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Featured image via Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images