Pittsburgh Pirates Achieve Historic Feat By Extending Season-Opening Winning Streak

For the first time since 1983 and only the sixth time in franchise history, the Pittsburgh Pirates have opened the season with a perfect 5-0 record.

Apr 1, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz (15) slides into home plate. / Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

It may only be April 1, but the Pittsburgh Pirates are already riding high.

The Pirates opened a series against the Washington Nationals on Monday, emerging with an 8-4 victory. Pittsburgh never trailed, although they needed a late surge at the plate in order to bury Washington for good.

After scoring three runs in the eighth and two in the ninth, the Pirates had secured their fifth win in a row to open the 2024 regular season.

This marks the first time since 1983 that the Pirates have started a season 5-0. They have now achieved the feat six times in franchise history.

Pittsburgh's best start came in 1962, when they opened the year 10-0. They opened 1938 on a seven-game winning streak.

this is the 6th time the Pirates have started 5-0 or better, joining:

1983
1976
1962 (10-0)
1938 (7-0)
1902 https://t.co/yinQnhPQCe

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 1, 2024

The Pirates' hot start to 2024 began with a four-game road sweep over the Miami Marlins. They scored 31 runs in the series while allowing 17.

Through five games, Pittsburgh ranks third in the league with 7.8 runs per game and second with a .400 on-base percentage. Third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, right fielder Bryan Reynolds and center fielder Michael Harris II all have an OPS over 1.000, while first baseman Connor Joe isn't far off at .966.

Their pitching staff, meanwhile, ranks sixth in WHIP at 1.12 and sixth in batting average against at .208. Jared Jones, Martín Pérez and Marco Gonzales have each given Pittsburgh solid outings one trip through the starting rotation.

Last season, the Pirates ranked in the bottom third of the league in runs, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, ERA, WHIP and batting average against. Pittsburgh once again finished fourth in the NL Central at 76-86, missing the postseason for the eighth year in a row and the 20th time in 23 years.

The Pirates have a 31.0% chance of making the postseason, per FanGraphs' latest projections, already a notable improvement from the 16.2% chance they were given before Opening Day.

After taking Tuesday off, the Pirates and Nationals will resume their three-game series Wednesday. Pittsburgh won't host its home opener until Thursday, when they are set to face the Baltimore Orioles.

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