Pirates struggle in second half, falling out of playoff race

The Pittsburgh Pirates' hopes of postseason play are dwindling as they currently trail by 7.0 games for the final National League Wild Card spot. After ending the first half just two games out, the team's performance has declined sharply, with a.638 OPS and 75 wRC+ since mid-July. Their starting pitching has also faltered, posting a 4.61 ERA and a hard-hit rate of 42.8% during this period. Injuries to key players like Konnor Griffin and Mitch Keller have compounded the team's struggles. With the regular season winding down, the Pirates face a critical challenge to regain their earlier form.

• 1:16 AMYahoo Sports — Why the Pirates Have Fallen Out of the Playoff Race