The First-Place Pittsburgh Pirates are the best team in baseball!

[David Lyons]

Yee-Haw!!! The Pittsburgh Pirates are back in first place in their division!!!

The best team in the Major Leagues? Yes, according to the comment in the rankings of the teams on ESPN:

"Tied for first place in the NL Central, the Pirates have the best record in baseball since May 25 at 12-3."

Okay, that is a limited frame of reference and they are listed at #17, but we Pirates fans have to celebrate while we can, according to Michael Wilbon on PTI. Last year, the Pirates were in first near the All-Star break, only to slide down the list as the season wore on. Since their offense is about the worst in the Majors, I expect history to repeat itself.

But I wanted to celebrate while there was something to celebrate about.

[David Lyons]

Near the All-Star break again, and the Pirates are back in first place! (Okay, technically they are tied for first place) For the month of June, they led the National League in Runs and Home Runs.

Do we really have to play the second half of each season?

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

They sure broke the hearts of the Astros last night. Come from behind victory capped off by a walk off home run.

[Benjamin Burch]

You're in a pretty weak division, so you all still have a chance. Also, you just might makes some improvements to that roster.

[David Lyons]

You're in a pretty weak division, so you all still have a chance. Also, you just might makes some improvements to that roster.

It is amazing how these things change over time. It wasn't all that long ago that this was the toughest division in the National League. (AL East is consistently the strongest at the top) With 6 teams, it is still the most unfair division, but that will be changing soon.

It would seem the Pirates need some roster improvements, but that was what began their downfall last year. I say that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Though it is hard to imagine getting very far in the post-season with only one legitimate major league batter.

[Benjamin Burch]

It is amazing how these things change over time. It wasn't all that long ago that this was the toughest division in the National League. (AL East is consistently the strongest at the top) With 6 teams, it is still the most unfair division, but that will be changing soon.

It would seem the Pirates need some roster improvements, but that was what began their downfall last year. I say that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Though it is hard to imagine getting very far in the post-season with only one legitimate major league batter.

It wasnt the roster changes that hurt last year. Everyone stopped producing.

[David Lyons]

The only problem with roster "improvements" is that it changes the team chemistry. For the New York Knicks, for instance, they were a better "team" when Jeremy Lin became the ringleader and went downhill when the more "talented" "star" came back. Better talent does not necessarily make for a better team, though it improves the chances for success.

[Mike Schutz]

I find myself rooting for the Pirates just because the center fielder deserves to have a better team around him.

[Benjamin Burch]

I find myself rooting for the Pirates just because the center fielder deserves to have a better team around him.

I do, too. However, McCutchen's season so far is a prime example of the sad fact that this Pirates team will come back down to earth sooner or later. Hopefully the division stays weak enough and that they can add a bat or two.

McCutchen's OBP for the first 3 years of his career were .365, .365, and .364. Right now it is .413, even though he is walking less than ever (8.4%). This simply cannot continue, as it is due to an un-sustainably high BA on balls in play (.407). Only 4 batters have carried a BABIP higher than .400 since WWII, and I don't see it continuing, especially when McCutchen is hitting so many ground balls (42.5%). Eventually those will find gloves in the infield and become outs.

Once McCutchen's production drops, their offense will be in even bigger trouble than it already is. I really hope they can find a bat or two before the deadline. I'm pulling for them.

[Nate Pruitt]

As a Cubs fan I can't see where calling up Rizzo will catapult us over Pittsburgh any time soon (and definitely not this season). Would love to avoid being the only Major League team to finish 6th in their division, though. I'd rather see Pittsburgh than St. Louis or Cincinnati up top, though. Pirates' fans deserve a great [whole] season at this point!

[Benjamin Burch]

As a Cubs fan I can't see where calling up Rizzo will catapult us over Pittsburgh any time soon (and definitely not this season). Would love to avoid being the only Major League team to finish 6th in their division, though. I'd rather see Pittsburgh than St. Louis or Cincinnati up top, though. Pirates' fans deserve a great [whole] season at this point!

Currently you have bigger fears than 6th in your division... try 30th in the MLB!!!

As a Sox fan, I won't lie to you. I'm pulling for you guys to finish in the gutter. :P

[Nate Pruitt]

Benjamin, your words of encouragement are truly inspiring. But I have hope because Dempster looked great today... and probably will look that good for us for another couple starts before he is traded.