Previewing 2 Second Half Goals

The second half of the Pirates season opens tonight in Milwaukee. Let's take a look at just what it would take to reach two specific goals:

Will the streak end?

       1) to have a winning season
       2) to make the playoffs (Playoffs?!?).

The Pirates record currently sits at 48-37. For a completely average 81-81 record they would only need to win 33 of their remaining 77 games. That's it. They could win 34 and lose 43 -- have a losing record in the second half -- and still have a winning season overall. Still end the 19 year streak of losing. The longest such streak in pro sports history. That's a number we'll want to keep in mind -- 34 more wins.

What about making the playoffs? (I repeat, Playoffs?!?) This year an extra team gets in. A fifth team in each league! The second Wild Card. Now the two wild card teams square off in a one game playoff for the right to enter the "regular" playoffs with the 3 division winners. It could take 92 or more wins to win the Central Division, but what about one of these wild card spots? Over the past few years the 5th best team in the NL has had about 88 or 89 wins. 88 wins has you knocking on the door of the playoffs. That means the Pirates only need about 40 the rest of the way. Say this with me, They can go 40-37 in their remaining 77 games and have a great chance to make the playoffs.

Zoltan

So I do think they have a reasonable chance at reaching one or even both of these goals. Even if they end up somewhere between 81 and 90 total wins but don't make the playoffs, they will at least have stayed competitive till nearly the end of the season. That's what really matters -- at least at first, at least for now, at least for someone who bought season tickets and wants to see 38 meaningful baseball games. Staying relevant through an entire 162 game baseball season would be a remarkable feat for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Relevance into mid-September would validate my season ticket purchase.

I'm going to define relevant as being within 3 or even 4 games of a playoff spot.  The entire demeanor at PNC Park changes when the Pirates are relevant.  The air feels different.  The chatter sounds different. The Pirates have a chance to play meaningful baseball in September, and if they do, that ballpark will be alive.  That possibility is still two months away, but that possibility is what I'm paying for.  I've given my money over to Zoltan. You should do the same.

These guys believe. Do you?  Comment below!