PITTSBURGH — The Pirates’ 53-35 record is the second-best record in the National League at the All-Star break.
Unfortunately for the Pirates, they also have the second-best record in their own division.
The Pirates trail the Cardinals (56-33) by 2 1/2 games in the National League Central after finishing second to St. Louis in the division race each of the last two seasons.
However, the Pirates will have plenty of momentum going into the second half of the season. They won 13 of their last 16 going into the All-Star break, including two thrilling come-from-behind extra-inning victories over the Cardinals on Saturday and Sunday.
The Pirates’ goal since the first day of spring training has been to the win the division. After playing in the winner-take-all wild-card games each of the last two seasons — beating the Cincinnati Reds in 2013 and losing to the San Francisco Giants in 2014 — the Pirates appreciate the margin of error that comes with winning the division and moving directly into a five-game League Division Series.
The Pirates have a strong rotation and a big three of right-handers Gerrit Cole and A.J. Burnett and left-hander Francisco Liriano that would give them a chance in any postseason series. Right-hander Charlie Morton and left-hander Jeff Locke are also solid as the No. 4 and 5 starters.
However, the Pirates would like to add an extra starter for depth because season-ending injuries to top prospects Jameson Taillon and Nick Kingham have left the Triple-A Indianapolis rotation thin.
The Pirates also have a deep lineup capable of producing runs, led by center fielder Andrew McCutchen and left fielder Starling Marte, and also including shortstop Jordy Mercer and the catching tandem of Francisco Cervelli and Chris Stewart. The Pirates also believe second baseman Neil Walker and right fielder Gregory Polanco are primed for better second halves.
However, the Pirates need more production from the infield corners. First baseman Pedro Alvarez continues to disappointing since tying for the NL lead with 36 home runs in 2013. Third baseman and leadoff hitter Josh Harrison is out through the end of August with a torn ligament in his left thumb, though the Pirates are high on South Korean rookie Jung Ho Kang as his replacement.
While the Pirates have one of their deeper benches in recent years, they would like to add a right-handed-hitting outfielder to keep the 23-year-old Polanco away from some of the league’s tougher lefty pitchers.
Closer Mark Melancon leads the NL in saves and left-hander Tony Watson has again been superb pitching the eighth inning. However, the rest of the bullpen has been inconsistent at times and the Pirates are open to adding a couple of relievers.
In all, the Pirates are certainly good enough to get to the NL wild-card game for a third straight season. If general manager Neal Huntington can bolster the bullpen, they not only have a chance of running down the Cardinals in the division race but reaching the World Series for the first time since 1979 when they rallied to beat the Baltimore Orioles.