Why This Pirates Team Can Make the Playoffs

Opening Day means hope, and on this episode of OffBeat, Alex Stumpf makes the optimistic case for why the 2026 Pirates can actually reach the postseason. He breaks down why the starting rotation could be one of the best the franchise has had in decades, why the offense doesn’t need to be great to get this team into October, and why there’s finally enough real impact talent on this roster to believe in a meaningful step forward.

From Paul Skenes leading the way to added bats like Ryan O’Hearn and Brandon Lowe raising the floor, this is the glass-half-full Pirates conversation fans have been waiting for. If the offense can simply be average and the rotation lives up to its upside, Alex explains why this team has a real path to playoff baseball in Pittsburgh.

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