The Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen has seen better days.
Long gone is the success and reliability of the “Shark Tank” bullpen led by closer Mark Melancon, but the Pirates showed flashes and consistency through the first two months of 2022.
Then June happened.
Pittsburgh is 9-18 since the calendar flipped from May, diminishing the Bucs’ record 15 games under .500 to 30-45.
The bullpen has wavered and blown numerous leads, against the Tampa Bay Rays and Washington Nationals in particular of late, contributing to the team’s fall from grace.
Derek Shelton’s club is 23rd in bullpen ERA (4.