At this year’s All-Star break, the Pirates were 44-45. They were in fourth place in a tightly-bunched N.L. Central, just 2½ games behind the first-place Cubs.
Their second half, so far, can charitably be called “a disaster.” They are 6-25 since the break, by far the worst record in MLB. They got swept by the Cubs at Wrigley right after the break and since they beat the Phillies July 20, they’re 4-19. Yikes.
Plus, based on this article in The Athletic Friday, their clubhouse is in turmoil.
Sunday’s Little League Classic between the Pirates and Cubs will be played in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, home of a team in the Short Season A NY-Penn League.