The Pirates pitching staff has been an absolute dumpster fire this season, producing an ERA north of 4.00 at 4.55. The staff has been far off from what they have been under Neal Huntington, especially over the last three seasons, which was a 3.33 ERA ranking second in all of baseball behind only the St. Louis Cardinals.
Finding pitchers for below market value and making them quality starting pitchers is what the Pirates have specialized with Neal Huntington, Ray Searage, and previously Jim Benedict. This year they have failed to do, and have even seen pitchers regress such as left-hander Jon Niese and reliever Arquimedes Caminero.