The Pittsburgh Pirates last year were 62-100 (.383 win rate), and were last in the Central Division of the National League. In 2021, they lost 101, and in 2020, which was played in a shortened season (60 games), the win rate was only .317. Since 2019, it has been at the bottom of the district for four consecutive years. It is a small market club, and the recent growth of promising players has been slow.
However, the beginning of this season is different.메이저놀이터 He made a surprise turn at the bottom and is recording 12 wins and 7 losses (.632 win rate). Among the 15 teams in the National League, it is tied for 4th in winning percentage and 3rd in the Central District.
Pittsburgh coach Derek Shelton praised the development of young players as “a huge shock.” The presence of Bae Ji-hwan is also great.
There are times when low-ranking power teams have a surprise rise at the beginning of the season. However, Pittsburgh’s current rise is slightly different. MLB.com evaluated, “Few people expected that Pittsburgh would win 12 games out of 19 while playing against strong teams such as Boston, Chicago White Sox, Houston, and St. Louis.”
Shelton said, “We recruited veterans Andrew McCutchen and Carlos Santana. Also Brian Reynolds. Young players are starting to develop. It has a huge impact,” he said. “It seems that the energy of the dugout has changed. The level of trust the players have in themselves has changed,” he added.
Bae Ji-hwan, who was included in the opening roster, played in 17 games and recorded a batting average of .241 (13 hits in 54 at-bats), 2 homers, 8 RBIs, 11 runs, and an OPS of .706. He has impressive running base play with 5 stolen bases, the most on the team. He is also a utility player who travels between the inside and outside of the field and plays a role in hosobi. He has pitched 45 innings at second base, 24 at shortstop, and 63⅔ innings at center field.
Pittsburgh won a big 14-3 victory in Colorado on the 20th (hereafter Korean time). They swept all three consecutive games away from Colorado. Bae Ji-hwan recorded 3 hits in 8 at-bats, 2 walks and 1 stolen base in 3 consecutive games while playing as a substitute in the game on the 20th.
MLB.com said, “Pittsburgh succeeded in sweeping Colorado for the first time since September 2019. It was also Pittsburgh’s second sweep this season. The most amazing team record so far improved to 12-7.”
It was a historic day for the Pittsburgh team. Pittsburgh scored 33 points in the series in a 14-3, 5-3, 14-3 win over Colorado’s three-game series. MLB.com introduced, “It was the most runs scored in a three-game series since July 28-30, 2000, when he scored 34 points against San Diego.”
The media also paid attention to the Pittsburgh starters. On this day, starter Yohan Oviedo pitched well with 3 hits, 3 walks, 6 strikeouts and 1 run in 6 innings, becoming the winning pitcher. “Oviedo continued the Pittsburgh starting lineup’s nine-game quality start. The last time Pittsburgh recorded a QS in nine straight games was June 30-July 8, 2015.”
