Pregame: Pirates looking to control opponents' running game

Jeff Curry-USA TODAY SportsControlling the running game

Anyone who has followed the Pirates this season knows they are having trouble controlling the opposition's running game. They have allowed the most stolen bases (107) in baseball and rank 26th in throwing out base stealers, catching would-be base stealers at a 23 percent rate.

Teams are stealing bases liberally and successfully. Opponents are attempting a stolen base 8.5 percent of the time that they have a man in position to run, the third-highest rate in the league. And they are successfully taking a base 6.5 percent of the time they are given the opportunity, which is the second highest.

Here is the breakdown of how the Pirates compare…