Pittsburgh Pirates' Bullpen Struggles Early in 2026 MLB Season
Pirates bullpen has been shaky at times to start the 2026 MLB season
Yahoo! NewsImage: Yahoo! News
The Pittsburgh Pirates' bullpen has struggled at the start of the 2026 MLB season, posting a 3.68 ERA and allowing 85 hits. Despite some promising performances, inconsistencies have led to blown leads, particularly in a recent series against the Chicago Cubs. The team must improve its relief pitching to remain competitive in the NL Central.
- 01Pirates bullpen has a 3.68 ERA, ranking among the best in the National League.
- 02The bullpen has allowed 85 hits and 11 home runs, both tied for third in the league.
- 03Key relievers Dennis Santana and Gregory Soto have performed well, but others have struggled.
- 04In a series against the Chicago Cubs, the bullpen issued 15 walks over 12.2 innings.
- 05Young pitchers Evan Sisk and Wilber Dotel have been called up to bolster the bullpen.
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As the 2026 MLB season unfolds, the Pittsburgh Pirates' bullpen has been a source of concern despite high expectations. With a 3.68 ERA, their performance is misleading due to inconsistencies, particularly highlighted in a recent series against the Chicago Cubs where they blew leads due to issuing 15 walks in 12.2 innings. The bullpen has allowed 85 hits and 11 home runs, both ranking third in the National League. While Dennis Santana and Gregory Soto have shown promise, the overall performance has cost the Pirates valuable games. The team has called up young pitchers Evan Sisk and Wilber Dotel to address these issues. For the Pirates to compete effectively in the NL Central, where all teams have winning records, the bullpen must step up and provide reliable support to the strong starting rotation.
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The bullpen's performance directly affects the Pirates' chances of winning games, especially in a competitive NL Central division.
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