Pirates reach 27 games over .500 for first time since 1992
The Pittsburgh Pirates probably deserve better than a one-game wild-card playoff. Put them in any other division in baseball and they're running away with it, except for the AL Central, where they'd be in a virtual dead-heat for the division lead with Kansas City.
But in the NL Central it's a different story. The St. Louis Cardinals, owners of baseball's best record, lead the division, although that cushion isn't so cushy since the Pirates have reeled off 10 wins in their past 12 games to get to 27 games over .500.
Pittsburgh hasn't hit that high-water mark since 1992 when a rather slender Barry Bonds nearly led the Buccos to the World Series.
The Pirates improved to 75-48 with Monday's 5-2 over the Miami Marlins that earned closer Mark Melancon his major-league-leading 40th save.
Pittsburgh remained 3.5 games behind the Cardinals for the division lead with St. Louis' victory at Arizona.
Pittsburgh is headed toward a third consecutive postseason berth, but would love to win the division and earn an automatic berth into the divisional series, and leave the do-or-die wild-card game for some other club.
As it is, the Bucs and surging Chicago Cubs are headed for that one-game playoff. Unless Pittsburgh can catch the Red Birds.
