Entering the current home stand, the Pirates found themselves at 19-17, eight games out of first place behind a 27-9 Cubs team that is among the NL leaders at the plate (2nd in wRC+), on the mound (2nd in FIP), and in the field (1st in UZR and DRS). Their excellence in execution has given them a historic +109 run differential through 36 games, the best to start a season since the 1939 Yankees (+116), who were recently named the best team of all time by FiveThirtyEight.
Even before their mostly disappointing performance at Wrigley Field this weekend, in which they fell to 1-5 against the Cubs with a -25 run differential, it seemed like the Pirates will be sparring with the Cardinals for 2nd place in the NL Central.