By Making MLB Playoffs, Pittsburgh Pirates Have Already Won

Sep 25, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (6, center) celebrates with Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) after Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker (not pictured) hit a two-run home run scoring McCutchen in the eighth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Pirates won 10-1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

It’s awfully tempting to look back at some of the games the Pittsburgh Pirates have squandered along the way during this up-and-down year.

With the Bucs just a single game behind NL Central-leading St. Louis entering the final weekend of the regular season, there are several painful losses that could’ve easily gone into the win column. One could argue the Pirates should be the team protecting a division lead, not the Cardinals.

But while that lamentation may make for good talk-radio fodder, I urge Pittsburgh fans to consider the season a victory already.

When we consider all the Pirates have gone through in 2014, it’s a serious accomplishment for them to have secured a playoff spot with multiple games still left on the schedule. From lengthy injuries and frequent bullpen follies to a pair of late-season losing streaks, this season appeared destined to be a letdown.

Despite all that, the Bucs are in great position to host another raucous wild-card game at PNC Park and have an opportunity to steal their first division championship since 1992. Let’s take a moment to appreciate that, no matter what happens in Cincinnati.

Some may counter with the thought that the Pirates could’ve added talent via trade this summer, like they did last year. Perhaps if they had done that, they would’ve gained a game or two along the way.

That ties into the debate over how much the Bucs should devote to player payroll, but the facts are that they will always be restricted in some way under this current ownership group. For me, that means the management team led by Neal Huntington and Clint Hurdle deserves even more credit for maximizing the return on investment.

All of which brings me back to the team on the field. Even including the mystifying Pedro Alvarez, every player who saw action this year contributed in some way to piling up 87 wins in 159 games.

Instead of falling back from a magical 2013, the Pirates consolidated their rebirth with a season that’s been both maddening and exhilarating – but ultimately another winner.

This ride could be over as soon as Wednesday or it could continue until Halloween, but the verdict is in: 2014 has been a success for the Pittsburgh Baseball Club.