The schedule is doing that thing in which the Pirates (or any team) don’t see another team all year, then play that team twice in a couple weeks.
The Pirates (65-69) are doing that thing in which they lose a bunch of games.
The Braves (74-59) have gone 3-4 since sweeping the Pirates in Pittsburgh. They split a pair of games with the Rays at home this week, then lost a rescheduled game to the Cubs on Thursday. Atlanta leads the Phillies by three games for the lead in the National League East.
This week the Braves acquired Lucas Duda from the Royals to help their bench.