Mumbai Indians IPL 2026 playoff qualification scenarios: Can MI still make it to the top-4?
Can Mumbai Indians still qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs after their recent win?
The Pittsburgh Pirates have started the 2026 season with a 19-16 record, currently sitting last in the National League Central. Their improved performance is attributed to impactful offseason acquisitions and a stronger pitching staff.
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The Pittsburgh Pirates have had a nice start to the 2026 campaign, though it's a bit disappointing that they currently sit in last place in the National League Central.
That really isn't much fault of the Pirates, sitting at 19-16, but it rather goes to show how tough the Central has been throughout the year. Every team in the division has at least 18 wins, with three teams already having 20. We have to tip our caps at times and just hope that Pittsburgh continues to play at this level and that other teams start to eventually struggle, which will definitely happen.
There are a few reasons for why the Pirates are playing better, and some of that is due to age, the pitching staff, and some other small moves. However, the reality here is that the Pirates are a better team because the front office finally decided to add some impact bats in the winter, and a lot of them are really paying off.
Unfortunately, some of those aren't paying off, namely the decision to add designated hitter Marcell Ozuna. The Pirates added Ozuna and cut ties with Andrew McCutchen, which was recently named the worst exchange of the offseason.
âThe Pirates unceremoniously dumped Andrew McCutchen, one of the greatest players in franchise history, believing he was no longer useful, even as a part-time DH. They replaced him with Marcell Ozuna, giving him a one-year, $12 million contract. Ozunaâs start has been horrific, hitting .185 with a .560 OPS.
âMcCutchen has struggled with Texas, hitting just .195 with one homer, five RBI and a .562 OPS, but at least he was beloved, and wouldnât have been booed every time he steps to the plate,â Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote.
I understand what Nightengale is saying here, but I also don't think it was crazy for the Pirates to go in the direction that they did. Not that I fully agreed with it, but we have to remember that Ozuna was a guy who hit 39 home runs in 2024 and 40 in 2023.
Despite a 19-16 record, the Pirates are in last place due to the competitive nature of the division, where every team has at least 18 wins.
The Pirates added several impact bats during the offseason, which have contributed to their better performance this season.
The Pirates' pitching staff has improved, playing a significant role in their overall better performance this season.
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McCutchen is a legend, and nobody would disagree with that, but he's not exactly a star at this point in his career any longer.