The Pirates swept the Mets to start July 2025, outscoring them 30-4. Oneil Cruz, Ke'Bryan Hayes, and Henry Davis led the offensive surge. Is this the turning point?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Welcome to July, Pirates fans. The calendar has flipped, but the energy from this past weekend is still electric. The Buccos are riding an incredible high after dismantling the New York Mets in a three-game sweep, capped by a resounding 12-1 victory on Sunday. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement that has the entire city buzzing and wondering if this is the turning point we've been waiting for.
The Pirates didn't just sweep the Mets; they annihilated them, outscoring New York 30-4 over the three-game series.
The offensive resurgence was a total team effort, but the breakout performances came from the players who needed it most. Oneil Cruz finally snapped a 14-game homerless drought in spectacular fashion, launching two moonshots for four RBI. Ke'Bryan Hayes has been a hitting machine, extending his streak to eight games with a 3-for-5 day on Sunday; he's hitting a blistering .448 during the streak. And not to be outdone, catcher Henry Davis broke out of a tough 3-for-33 slump with a perfect 4-for-4 performance. When these core players are all clicking, this lineup is a force to be reckoned with.
While the big-league club is firing on all cylinders, the future continues to look incredibly bright down on the farm. The Pirates system boasts five players on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 list, led by ace-in-the-making Bubba Chandler. The right-hander has been virtually unhittable in Triple-A Indianapolis, posting a 2.17 ERA with 56 strikeouts in just over 37 innings. After being named the International League Pitcher of the Month in April, his arrival in Pittsburgh feels more like a 'when' than an 'if,' adding another layer of excitement to the season.
As the team prepares for tonight's homestand opener, the front office is standing pat—for now. There have been no significant roster moves, indicating confidence in the current group to carry this momentum forward. The question on every fan's mind is simple: was the Mets series a flash in the pan or the beginning of a sustained summer run? Tonight's game is the first test.
The Pirates enter July with a clean slate and a tidal wave of momentum. The bats are alive, the team's core is performing, and elite help is waiting in the wings. Tonight, under the lights of PNC Park, we'll get our first look at whether this powerful new identity is here to stay. It's a great day to be a Bucs fan.
