Pirates gave opponents an embarrassingly simple blueprint that might’ve kept them out of playoffs

The Pittsburgh Pirates significantly improved offensively during the 2026 season under general manager Ben Cherington, finishing sixth in runs scored with 767, fifth in batting average at .253, and sixth in OPS at .734. Key lineup additions, including trading for Brandon Lowe and signing Ryan O'Hearn, aided the improvement alongside existing contributors Spencer Horwitz and Oneil Cruz.

However, the lineup's heavy reliance on left-handed hitters created a major vulnerability against left-handed pitching that hindered the team's playoff pursuit. Against southpaws, the Pirates recorded a .701 OPS and logged a 25.3% strikeout rate, which was the third-worst mark across Major League Baseball.