Pirates Offense Has Gone Cold: Where are the Bats

Over their last three games, the Pittsburgh Pirates offense has almost been non-existent at the plate. They have scored just two runs over their last 25 innings of play, and aren't supporting some strong starting pitching.

After a rainout on Friday evening in the opener against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Pittsburgh Pirates came back ready for a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. The offense took off in game one scoring 14 runs on 19 hits while recording more hits than outs in the game. It was a season-high for runs scored in a single game by the Pirates this season, and everyone looked like they were locked in at the plate. Kevin Newman led the charge, going 4-4 with four doubles, and ended the day just two doubles shy of the doubleheader doubles record. Every position player in the lineup got at least one hit, and six of them had at least multi-hit games. It looked like the game that would finally get this offense going, and they were heading into the second game with offensive momentum on their side.

However, it wasn't meant to be as, since that game, the Pirates offense has gone completely cold. Over their last three games, accounting for 25 innings, the Pirates have scored just two runs, and have been outscored 10-2 over that span, and have given their starting pitchers just one run of support. As a result, the Pirates are 0-3 in the game and have currently lost 11 of their last 12 games entering play tonight. It has not been a fun stretch for the offense, and it showed in the opener with the Dodgers. After Steven Brault turned in another fine start since coming off the Injured List, he ended up getting a no-decision simply because his offense couldn't score him runs. Today, we try to find out where the offense has gone as the Pirates are left looking for answers.

Not Finding Their Stride

One of the many problems that this Pirates ball club has faced this season is inconsistency. Whether it be from their starting pitchers, their hitters, or their bullpen, every group has struggled with finding their grooves. At times this season, it has looked like this Pirates' offense can do no wrong, as was the case in Saturday's game one win. After sending just seven batters to the plate over the first two innings of the game, things really ramped up when Kevin Newman hit the first of his four doubles. Five of the next six Pirates reached base and before you knew it, the Pirates had a 4-3 lead. They followed a similar formula in both the third and the fourth, as they combined for eight runs. The key to those big innings was that the Pirates were able to string hits together to score runs.

Consequently, over the last three games, the Pirates aren't stringing those hits together, and therefore aren't nearly as successful. In last night's game, the team managed just five hits and did not have a series of back-to-back hits at all in the game. For a team with little to no power, it is imperative that they string together hits to create run-scoring opportunities. The Pirates had only one extra-base hit all night, courtesy of the newest Pirate Yoshi Tsusutgo, and they just weren't afforded many chances to drive in runs. Now, against some of the Dodgers top pitchers like Clayton Kershaw, David Price, or Walker Beuhler that would be expected. But, the thing that made last night so disappointing was the fact that the effort came on a Dodgers bullpen day.

To see just how bad the offense has been as of late, all you have to do is look at the Pirates record in August. The team is just 2-13 in 15 games this month and has been outscored 48-90 in those games. They have been held to three runs or less in 10 of those 15 games and as a team are hitting just .216 in August, good for third-worst in the Big Leagues. The Pirates have dropped from 40-64 at the beginning of this month, to their current 42-77 mark as they sit 35 games below .500 with a month and a half left to play. To avoid losing 100 games this season, the Pirates would have to go 20-23 over their final 43 games, a feat that is looking less and less likely. The Pirates need something to shake up the lineup and get the hits coming in bunches once again for this team.

A Shake-Up Is Coming

With September looming, the final month of the season may offer the shake-up that the Pirates need. While not as dramatic as in years past, the rosters will be expanding once again, allowing Minor Leaguers an opportunity to get their feet wet. While rosters expanded to 40 in the past, this season those rosters only expand from 26 to 28. However, General Manager Ben Cherington has said that Minor League guys will be getting opportunities to show what they can do. Some of these guys include people the Pirates acquired at this year's trade deadline, like Tucupita Marcano and Michael Chavis.

The bullpen should also get some reinforcements as the Pirates try to help what has been an overworked bullpen finish the year healthy. There are some names down in Triple-A Indianapolis who will likely see some Big League time. One of the names I'm interested to see is Shea Spitzbarth, who has pitched well in his first three appearances. He has worked 3.1 innings during those first three appearances and pitched to a 2.70 ERA. After throwing scoreless outings during his first two appearances, Spitzbarth was tagged for his first earned run when he allowed a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers. It is guys like these that the Pirates need to not only come up to the Big League but produce for the Big League club.

The offense will look to find some way to turn things around at the plate against the defending World Series Champion Dodgers. Yoshi Tustsugo should get a chance in the starting lineup tonight after getting the pinch-hit double last night, and he is hoping to bring some more power to the lineup. He will most likely see a lot of time in the outfield as the Pirates try to find some consistency in the corner outfield positions. The big thing the Pirates need from their lineup is some power. Bryan Reynolds has been on a tear, hitting 21 home runs this season, but he has had no support behind him. Gregory Polanco is the next biggest power hitter with 11 home runs. Power and consistency are key, and that is what the Pirates are looking for as they try to turn this offense around.

The Pittsburgh Pirates (42-77) look to bounce back in game two when they face the Los Angeles Dodgers (77-42) tonight at 10:10 pm. Wil Crowe (3-7, 5.27) takes the hill for the Pirates as he goes against David Price (4-1, 3.60) for the Dodgers. You can watch the game live on AT&T Sportsnet or listen on 93.7 The Fan.