The Pirates host the White Sox on July 18, 2025, with elite pitching (3rd in WHIP) but an offense ranked 28th in runs. Can they find a spark at PNC Park?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Here we are again, Pirates fans. It's Friday night at PNC Park, and the story remains the same: the Bucs have a pitching staff that can hang with the best in the league, but an offense that struggles to get out of its own way. As the team prepares to host the equally challenged Chicago White Sox, the question isn't just about winning one game—it's about finding a spark, any spark, to ignite a lineup that has gone cold.
The Pittsburgh Pirates rank 3rd in MLB with a 1.19 WHIP, yet are tied for 28th in runs scored per game at just 3.4.
The numbers don't lie, and they paint a frustratingly clear picture. The Pirates' pitching and defense are legitimate strengths. A 3.76 team ERA (10th in MLB) and a sparkling 1.19 WHIP (3rd) show a staff that consistently keeps runners off the bases. They back that up with a top-10 fielding percentage (.987). But then you look at the offense. The team sits at or near the bottom of the league in batting average (.229), on-base percentage (.300), slugging (.339), and are dead last in home runs with just 65. The one bright spot on offense has been their aggression on the basepaths, where they've swiped 80 bags, good for 8th in the majors. It's a classic case of one hand not knowing what the other is doing.
Tonight's matchup against the 32-65 White Sox feels like looking in a mirror. Chicago also averages a paltry 3.4 runs per game, meaning the first team to string together a few hits might just run away with it. This is a prime opportunity for the Pirates' key bats to wake up. Oneil Cruz (.212 AVG) has the power with 16 homers, but needs to make more consistent contact. Bryan Reynolds (.225 AVG) is long overdue for a hot streak to lift his 46 RBI. Even veteran Andrew McCutchen, with his solid .335 OBP, could be the catalyst the team needs. In a battle of struggling offenses, the Pirates' superior pitching should give them the edge, but they still have to score to win.
When the present feels frustrating, it's natural to look to the future, and for the Pirates, that future is bright. The farm system remains a point of pride, with five players in MLB Pipeline's Top 100. The most exciting name right now is RHP Bubba Chandler. Dominating at Triple-A Indianapolis, the former International League Pitcher of the Month is making a strong case for a call-up. His performance is a beacon of hope and a sign that the organizational focus on developing elite arms is paying off. Now, the challenge is to replicate that success with the bats throughout the system.
Tonight's game against the White Sox is more than just a chance to snap a two-game skid; it's a test of whether this offense can find any semblance of life to support its brilliant pitching staff. While the present is a grind, the future, powered by arms like Bubba Chandler, offers a compelling reason to keep watching. The question remains: when will that future help arrive, and can the current roster hold the line until it does?
