PHOENIX — For the past few years, the Pirates have been about as good as their starting pitching. The 104 times starters went six-plus innings in 2015, the team was 72-32. The 72 times starters went six-plus innings in 2016, the team was 47-25. This season, however, there is discord between the rotation and the offense. When one shows up, the other often does not.
So far this season, the Pirates are 8-13 when their starters pitch at least six innings.
At the 36-game mark, prior to the game Saturday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks, right-hander Gerrit Cole had the worst run-support average among qualified National League starters, at 2.