If you didn’t know the Pirates’ record, you could easily guess it from the mood in the clubhouse.
Outfielder Connor Joe handed out T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase “Good Vibes Only” last week, and his teammates have seemingly taken the message to heart, boosting the energy with all kinds of inspired fun. A home run is now rewarded not just with a pirate-inspired cutlass celebration but also with a custom blazer. The night’s best performer is greeted at his locker with a stuffed Pikachu. And their play on the field has been just as strong as all of this would suggest. The Pirates are currently 16–7 (third best in MLB), recording their hottest start since the team won its last division title in 1992.
So, is it fair to say the Pirates have been cruising? Sure. But their pitching staff might prefer a different term.
