Pirates Playoff-bound?

The Pirates this year have shocked a lot people. With a new manager, young roster and bright looking future, the Pirates have been flirting with a .500 record all season. But don't let the record fool you. If you have followed the Pirates at all this season, you know that they do strike out a lot. 561 times this year. Only three teams have struck out more than the Pirates this season including the Washington Nationals (563), the Arizona Dimondbacks (569), and the San Diego Padres who have struck out a Major League worst 605 times. The Pirates do not have a player that started on opening day hitting over .277. Currently, the Pirates team batting average is .238 (27th in the league). At the end of last season they finished with a .242 average, second worse to only the Seattle Mariners (236). The Pirates do have some up-sides as well. They are a division best 16-10 against NL Central teams. They are 11-7 in one run ball games and 3-3 in extra innings. They have already won 20 road games opposed to only 17 the previous season. The Pirates are currently 35-36 and four games back in the division. This time last year, the Buccos were 25-44 and 13 games back. Much improved to say the least. The Pirates keystone to there surprising record is there pitching staff that has also turned around. Starter Kevin Correia is one of only 15 pitchers with 8 or more wins. The Pirates have three pitchers in the top 43 in ERA this season including Jeff Karstens (7th-2.54), Charlie Morton (37th-3.21) and Paul Maholm (43rd – 3.29). Pirate's closer Joel Hanrahan is having a remarkable year as well. He is one of eight closers with 19 or more saves. Since 1969, only two Pirates (Mike Williams and Jose Mesa) have notched 20 saves by the All-Star break. Pirate starters have thrown four complete games so far. And if you will the Pirates are 6th best in the league when it comes to hitting batters. As a staff, they have only plunked 19 batters. So are the Pirates playoff-bound this season? I think not. Although the Pirates are playing with .500, they are only 2-4 in inter-league games with 9 more games to go. All against AL East teams. The Pirates don't fair well against NL West teams either and they have four more NL West teams to play this year. The only thing keeping this pirate ship afloat this year is pitching. Their offense is inconsistent and their stats prove that. With a tough schedule around the corner after the all-star break the Pirates are going to have to step up the offensive production and stay consistent if they want to be at or above .500 at the end of the year. Playoffs is a word that Pirate's fans do not hear all too often. In the coming years, I believe that that one, two syllable word will be coming up a lot here in the Burgh.