Failures On The Margins Hurting Pittsburgh Pirates’ Playoff Chances

Aug 17, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Kevin Frandsen (19) scores a run as Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Ike Davis (15) looks on during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

As I’ve written many times this summer, the 2014 Pittsburgh Pirates are quite different from last year’s model.

That’s not all bad – their offense is much improved from the 2013 version – but in most instances the comparison doesn’t flatter the current team.

Sunday’s excruciating6-5 loss to the Nationalsdid a great job of summing up just about every shortcoming these Pirates have. In losing their season-high fifth consecutive game, Pittsburgh put its faulty pitching, defense and depth on full display.

Let’s start in the field. After being one of the most efficient defensive teams in 2013, turning71.5 percent of balls in play into outs, the Pirates have fallen back to 70.9. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but it hasdropped themfrom fifth in that category to 10th, mostly because of the 47 times they’ve allowed opponents to reach on errors, the fifth-highest total in MLB.

It was poor fielding Sunday that squandered another valuable start fromEdinson Volquezand tagged relieverJared Hugheswith an undeserved blown save. Hughes did an admirable job in trying to clean up Volquez’s seventh-inning difficulties, but poor throws to the plate byPedro AlvarezandIke Davisspoiled those efforts.

Of course, the resilient Pittsburgh offense battled back in the ninth, taking an unlikely lead on a two-run double byGregory Polanco. But less than 24 hours after all-starTony Watsonhad a rare blow-up,Mark Melanconfollowed suit with a breakdown of his own, forcing extra innings.

It’s ironic that Watson and Melancon crashed to earth, because they’ve been pillars of strength on a pitching staff that has disappointed for various reasons. Yes, the Pirates’ team ERA is right around the MLB average at 3.74, but their pitchers on the whole have contributedthe sixth-fewest wins above average (WAA)in baseball because of their subpar strikeout and walk rates.

In short, the Bucs have been tempting fate this season despite churning out decent results on the mound, and it’s catching up to them. GettingGerrit Coleback in the rotation should help, as would the continued improvement ofFrancisco Liriano, but the recent failings ofJeff LockeandCharlie Mortoncounteract that effect.

The bullpen’s shallowness has hurt, too, but depth may be even more of a problem in terms of position players. Once Sunday’s game went beyond the ninth, the Pirates had the likes ofJayson Nix,Michael MartinezandBrent Moreltaking up spots in the lineup. One replacement-level journeyman is enough, but three?

I understand that injuries happen and Pittsburgh has been more afflicted than most teams, but the lack of a contingency plan is an indictment of the front office and general manager Neal Huntington. Prospects likeJosh BellandAlen Hansonaren’t quite ready to take the final step, so there needs to be another layer of depth until they are.

Should we have expected the Pirates to surge to the top of the National League Central with the likes ofAndrew McCutchen,Neil Walkerand Cole out of action for significant stretches? No, but consideringhow impressive the batshave been, they should be better than 64-60 and out of a playoff spot with six weeks to go.

Unlike last year, when the Pirates minded the details en route to 94 wins, this summer has represented a failure on the all-important margins.