The Pirates beat the Cardinals 7-0 on July 4, 2025, extending their win streak with a historic run differential not seen since 1925, led by a hot Tommy Pham.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Happy Fourth of July, Bucs fans! While fireworks light up the sky tonight, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been providing their own explosive display on the diamond. Riding a season-high six-game winning streak, the Pirates aren't just winning—they're dominating in a way the franchise hasn't seen in nearly a century.
The Pirates have outscored opponents by at least seven runs in four consecutive contests—a feat not accomplished by the franchise since 1925.
Forget what you thought you knew about the 2025 Pirates. This team is officially the hottest in baseball. Their six straight wins include a stretch of four consecutive victories by seven or more runs, something a Pirates team hasn't done since the days of Pie Traynor and Kiki Cuyler in 1925. The entire lineup is contributing, as seen in the recent 7-0 drubbing of the Cardinals where every starter recorded a hit. From Andrew Heaney taking a no-hitter deep into the sixth to Spencer Horwitz launching his first career leadoff homer, the Bucs are firing on all cylinders.
This surge isn't a fluke; it's being driven by veteran leadership and stars returning to form. Tommy Pham has been an absolute force of nature, hitting a blistering .448 with two homers and 13 RBI over his last eight games. He's not alone, as Isiah Kiner-Falefa has been a model of consistency, hitting safely in seven of his last eight. On the mound, ace Mitch Keller looks to have found his groove, winning his last two starts, including a masterful seven-inning, seven-strikeout shutout against St. Louis that lowered his season ERA to 3.64.
Tonight's holiday matchup presents a formidable test. The Pirates (38-50) travel to T-Mobile Park to face a tough Seattle Mariners (45-41) team. The pitching duel is a fascinating one, with the steady Bailey Falter (6-3, 3.62 ERA) taking the hill for Pittsburgh against one of the AL's best, Bryan Woo (7-4, 2.93 ERA). Keeping this historic streak alive against a pitcher with a sub-1.00 WHIP will require the offense to stay locked in. The result of this game will be a major indicator of just how real this turnaround is.
Even amidst the winning streak, the front office is actively tweaking the roster to maintain momentum. The bullpen has seen a recent shuffle, with Hunter Stratton (23.63 ERA in his last three outings) being optioned to Triple-A in favor of Michael Darrell-Hicks, who was just claimed off waivers and impressed with two scoreless appearances for Indianapolis. These moves follow earlier transactions to bolster depth, with catcher Brett Sullivan and reliever Isaac Mattson being promoted after Endy Rodriguez landed on the IL with elbow inflammation. It's a clear sign that management is committed to finding the right combination to support this incredible run.
As the smoke clears from tonight's game in Seattle, Pirates fans will have a better idea of what this team is made of. Can they solve an ace like Woo? Can the offense continue its historic tear on the road? This series against the Mariners is more than just a holiday distraction; it's a litmus test for a team that has suddenly, and thrillingly, found its identity. Here's to hoping the Bucs' fireworks continue all weekend long.
