Pirates Identified As Candidate To End Dodgers' Three-Peat Bid originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
An MLB writer posed a scenario in which the Pittsburgh Pirates snap an 11-year playoff drought and send the reigning champions packing.
Six ESPN analysts each picked a team capable of defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the postseason. David Schoenfield presented an argument for Pittsburgh pulling off an epic October triumph.
"This is admittedly a long shot," Schoenfield wrote. "After all, the Pirates will have to battle just to make the playoffs in the suddenly demanding NL Central. But keep in mind that the best time to knock off the Dodgers will be the division series. That's when they lost in 2019, 2022 and 2023 — despite winning 106, 111 and 100 games those seasons. And if the Pirates play the Dodgers in the NLDS, Paul Skenes will likely start two of the five games — and that gives Pittsburgh a chance."
Schoenfield noted that Pittsburgh's rotation isn't a one-man show. The Pirates have also enjoyed superb early returns from Mitch Keller and Braxton Ashcraft, and Bubba Chandler could become "a big-time force" if he harnesses the strike zone.
The analyst added that the Pirates have a bullpen full of power pitchers, with southpaws Mason Montgomery and Gregory Soto especially valuable against the Dodgers' left-handed sluggers of Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy.
Pittsburgh's lineup has also made massive strides. Along with offseason additions Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn providing strong returns, Oneil Cruz has sprinted out of the gate while Bryan Reynolds is bouncing back from a down 2025. Meanwhile, rookie phenom Konnor Griffin is looking increasingly comfortable at the plate.
"This looks like a sneaky-good offense, especially if Griffin continues to improve," Schoenfield declared.
Jeff Passan labeled Schoenfield's case "solid," but the insider noted that the Pirates may have to use Skenes in the Wild Card Series — ruling the ace out for Game 1 of an NLDS contest with the Dodgers — unless they win the division.
While Passan believes in Pittsburgh's offense, he feels the pitching staff would have to fuel a thunderous postseason statement.
"Pittsburgh's argument hinges on its pitching," Passan said. "And to beat the Dodgers, everything must be locked in."
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