It’s June 11th. In the past 19 seasons usually when school is out, the Pirates are about 15 games out of first place. The Pittsburgh Pirates last winning season was 1992. 19 losing seasons in a row which is a record for American major league sports. This year since May 24th the Pirates have had the best record in baseball winning 12 of 15. Last night with Cincinnati’s loss the Pirates are tied for first place. They are 5 games over .500. So far this season the Pirates have actually scored the lowest amount of runs of any team in the major leagues. But only the Washington Nationals have given up less runs. The Pirates offense has picked it up the past couple weeks but its been they’re pitching that has carried them Their starting pitching has been good but their bullpen has been awesome. The National League Central is a weak division. The class of the division the World Champion St.Louis Cardinals are without Pujois, Major Lance Berkman is out for the season. Tony LaRussa is in retirement. The Central Division is there for the taking. Last season the Pirates were doing fine until late July, then there was a complete and total collapse. This season I think they are a better ballclub. One of my main concerns is that they will overwork that outstanding bullpen. Will they win the NL Central? The odds are against them but I expect them to play games that matter into August and maybe even into September, which is something that hasn’t happened in 20 years.