The last two nights, I’ve written about the starting pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The articles probably haven’t been what you want to read if you’re looking for hope for the 2016 team and their chances of contending in the playoffs. It’s possible that the Pirates could reach the playoffs, but at that point, they would have too many question marks in the rotation to be a serious contender beyond the Wild Card game.
Their only reliable starter this year has been Gerrit Cole. Francisco Liriano continues his inconsistent ways. And the prospects show promise, but you can’t rely on them to carry a playoff team, and the best of the group — Jameson Taillon — will be reaching a point where his innings and workload raise questions about how he will hold up and perform.