Pirates Season Review: Encouragement Finishing Above .500, Disappointment of No Playoffs

The Pittsburgh Pirates concluded their 2026 Major League Baseball season with an 82-80 record after defeating the Detroit Tigers in the regular season finale. Despite achieving their first winning season since 2018 and finishing third in the National League Central, the club missed the postseason for the 11th consecutive year.

Offseason acquisition Brandon Lowe paced the team with 35 home runs and 96 RBIs across 150 games. Pitcher Braxton Ashcraft excelled in his first full year as a starter, going 14-6 with a 3.65 ERA, while free-agent addition Marcell Ozuna and reliever Dennis Santana were both designated for assignment midseason.