Pittsburgh Pirates chase Wild Card spot entering final month of season

The Pittsburgh Pirates entered the final month of the 2026 season trailing a Wild Card spot by five games. Following a recent series win against the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park, the team is attempting to recover from a mid-season slump that dropped them to the bottom of the National League Central. Success for the team depends on maintaining offensive output and stabilizing a starting rotation that has struggled with consistency throughout the year. While pitcher Braxton Ashcraft has emerged as a leader, the group looks to improve performance down the stretch. The upcoming schedule includes series against the Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Cubs. The team closes its campaign with home sets against the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, and St. Louis Cardinals.

• 9:04 AMYahoo Sports — What the Pirates need to do to make a playoff push