CHICAGO — The most optimistic Pirates projections never had anywhere close to what the bullpen has done.
David Bednar and Chris Stratton being good? OK, maybe. But Wil Crowe and Dillon Peters combining for 23 2/3 shutout innings thus far while opposing hitters have gone just 8 for 75 (.107) against them? Get the heck out of here.
Nevertheless, this Pirates season, now 16 games old, has featured plenty of unexpected twists and turns, including the most lopsided loss in franchise history on Saturday in Chicago.