Pirates' bullpen struggles continue despite early game leads
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 18, 2026, 11:55 PM
Last updated Jun 18, 2026
The Pittsburgh Pirates faced significant bullpen issues during recent games, particularly evident on June 9 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where they collapsed from a 2-2 tie to lose 12-2. This follows a similar collapse against the Houston Astros, where the Pirates squandered an 8-3 lead and lost 11-9. Their bullpen has blown 15 saves this season, with a save percentage of 51.6%, ranking among the worst in Major League Baseball. Despite some talented pitchers, their struggles stem from poor pitch location, resulting in high walk rates and hard contact. The Pirates are considering roster changes to address these ongoing issues as they remain in contention for a playoff spot, currently sitting fourth in the NL Central.
- •Pirates lost 12-2 to Dodgers after leading 2-2 in seventh.
- •Bullpen has blown 15 saves, ranking fourth worst in MLB.
- •Recent bullpen ERA is 5.98, fifth worst in MLB this month.
- •Team is fourth in NL Central, seeking playoff contention.
- •Roster moves are being considered to fix bullpen issues.
- 11:55 PMYahoo Sports — There’s No Easy Fix to Pirates’ Bullpen Struggles
"On June 9, the Pittsburgh Pirates were locked in a 2-2 ballgame with the Los Angeles Dodgers going into the seventh inning. Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh’s ace, had just finished his solid day, striking out seven batters through six innings. By the bottom of the seventh, the Pirates were losing 12-2. Unfortunately for the Pirates, this […] The post There’s No Easy Fix to Pirates’ Bullpen Struggles appeared first on The Lead.
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