The Pirates haven’t had a winning season since 2018, but their rebuild seems have brought them to the cusp of being a .500 team, with hopes they can get over the hump next year. They have the third-youngest pitching staff in baseball with two of the more electric young arms in baseball. The team flirted with .500 and actually had a winning record at the trade deadline - where they were buyers with an eye for the long-term. But an 8-19 August sunk any hopes of making the post-season.
Kansas City Royals (80-67) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (70-76) at PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Royals: 4.