When Did The Pirates Learn How To Hit?

In the first month of the season the Pirates scored a total of 58 runs, by far the worst in the league 15 runs behind the Athletics who were at ranked twenty-ninth in that category and 69 runs behind the Red Sox who were ranked first. In the second month of the season the Pirates were still last in runs but this time they jumped from just 58 runs scored to 89 runs two runs behind the Athletics who were at twenty-ninth once again and 78 runs behind the Rangers who were sitting in first.

All this lack of offense got people around Pittsburgh demanding for another bat, throwing out the most ridiculous of names at times, even wanting Manny Ramirez at one point. As of late such demands have calmed down from all those hardcore yinzer's out there for some reason. Why am I telling you all of this useless information you might ask, and my answer for you is in the month of June the Pirates have scored more runs then any other team in the whole Major Leagues. That's right you heard me more runs then any other team who plays baseball in the major leagues, that includes all of those American League powerhouses like Texas, Boston, and New York who everyone always seems to want to rave about.

The Pirates have scored 139 runs this month alone more then doubling their total from the whole month of April. The next closest team is the Mets who have scored 137 runs to this point. The Mets can pass the Pirates if they score a few more runs in their game right now against the Dodgers but hopefully that won't happen. I normally wouldn't write a full length post about the Pirates improvement in offense but this drastic jump is just way to much to ignore. The Pirates have also hit 38 home-runs this month third behind only the Blue-Jays and Yankees who notably play in very very small hitter friendly ball-parks.

In June the Pirates also only have one position player hitting below Mendoza line and that is Rod Barajas who is currently day to day with a knee injury. Even his back-up Michael McKenry is hitting .313 on the month with two home runs in only 39 plate appearances, not bad for a back up catcher. Andrew McCutchen has continued his dominance this month hitting .365 with 7 home-runs, but is also day to day with a wrist injury suffered in today's win in St. Louis. Pedro Alvarez still strikes out to much but he has hit 6 home-runs this month and has hit for a solid .259 average as well. I could give you names all night of people who have improved in June but that would get boring after awhile so I'll stop.

I think by now you understand what I'm trying to get across which is the Pirates no longer suck at hitting baseballs, as of now they are the best in the league in June that is. If the Pirates keep this up even just partly for the rest of the year they stand a chance, and a chance is all they need. It will be interesting to see how the Pirates offense does in July because this is when they started to fall apart last year. The pitching has come apart just a little bit the past month but in my opinion they added a big piece not with a trade but just by getting Jeff Karstens back. Bedard pitches tomorrow lets see how that goes.