Pittsburgh Pirates Shock MLB: Inside the Underdogs’ Red-Hot 2026 Surge

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Pirates keep rewriting the early-season narrative in 2026, and Friday night’s series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at PNC Park feels like another measuring stick for the National League Central upstarts. Hot bats, hotter record • Pittsburgh enters the weekend at 11-7, its best 18-game start since the wild-card era, fresh off a 2-0 shutout of the Washington Nationals that clinched a third straight series win. • Oneil Cruz continues to power the top of the order; his sixth homer on Wednesday traveled 447 feet into the Allegheny River landing zone and pushed his OPS to .982. • Rookie second baseman Termarr Johnson owns a .314 average and has reached base in 13 consecutive games, giving the lineup on-base swagger it lacked a year ago. Ozuna finally ends the drought Slugger Marcell Ozuna was signed in February to replace franchise icon Andrew McCutchen’s right-handed pop, but he opened 2-for-39 and drew scattered boos. The veteran flipped the script Thursday with a towering three-run shot off the left-field foul pole—his first home run in black and gold and the 297th of his career—sparking a five-run comeback that ultimately fell just short in an 8-7 loss. Ozuna has now reached base in five straight contests and insists the “welder’s-mask” celebration is here to stay. Pitching staff passes early tests Manager Derek Shelton’s revamped rotation ranks fourth in the NL with a 3.28 ERA. 22-year-old phenom Bubba Chandler has flashed ace potential, fanning 27 hitters across his first 21 frames, while offseason pickup Mike Clevinger sports a 1.93 ERA through three turns. In the bullpen, David Bednar remains automatic (6-for-6 in save chances), and Yerry De Los Santos’ new splitter has generated a 37 percent whiff rate. Why the Rays series matters Tampa Bay arrives at PNC Park with MLB’s best record (14-4) and a lineup that punishes mistakes, led by Wander Franco and Randy Arozarena. Friday’s marquee matchup pits Chandler against right-hander Shane Baz, a former Pirates prospect traded in the 2018 Chris Archer deal—a transaction still discussed bitterly on the North Shore. A series win would vault Pittsburgh into national contention conversations and could help push early attendance past last year’s pace of 23,000 per game. Injury notebook • Ke’Bryan Hayes (left wrist inflammation) began swinging in the cage Thursday and is eligible to return Tuesday in Cincinnati. • Veteran reliever Aroldis Chapman (lat strain) threw a 25-pitch bullpen; the club hopes for an activation next weekend. • Prospect catcher Henry Davis is raking (.364, 3 HR) at Triple-A Indianapolis and could force a May call-up if Joey Bart’s struggles continue. What’s next First pitch Friday is 6:45 p.m. ET, with fireworks on and off the field expected as Pittsburgh unveils its “City Connect” gold-trimmed alternates. Saturday’s tilt features a bobblehead giveaway honoring Roberto Clemente, and Sunday’s finale will be streamed free on MLB.TV. Bottom line The Pirates’ blend of breakout youngsters and rebound veterans has transformed them from preseason curiosity into legitimate playoff hopeful. A statement series against the Rays would not only reinforce the club’s October ambitions but also signal that meaningful baseball is finally back on Federal Street—and that, in itself, is worth ringing the Bucco bell.