Jordan Lyles' 2019 season is a perfect reflection of the Pirates' starting rotation overall: Historically dominant out of the gate, and historically hittable ever since.
He salvaged his career as a reliever last year by revamping his pitch mix -- four-seam fastballs high in the zone, hammer curves at the knees -- and appeared to translate those results to an expanded starting role with Pittsburgh this spring. Signed to a one-year, $2.05 million deal over the winter, he was touted as one of the biggest free agent bargains in the game and another example of the Pirates finding value from a veteran pitching reclamation project.