The MLB All-Star break is usually welcomed by players, who relish an opportunity to rest for a few days, spend time with family and reset for the final portion of the season.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are doubtless welcoming the brief annual pause, and yet, on the heels of an impressive weekend sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers, clubhouse sentiment included some regret at having to take a break while riding such a wave of momentum.
“Kind of wish we don’t have an All-Star break at this point, because we’re playing good baseball,” said starter Paul Skenes, an All-Star for the third time. “Super confident in our ability to show up after the break. It’s been fun to be a part of. We’ll keep it rolling. Lot of baseball left to play. It’s going to be a fun year.”
Skenes (8-8, 3.57 ERA) was Sunday’s winning pitcher, as the Pirates (50-47) blew out the NL Central-leading Brewers, 14-5, to complete a three-game sweep.
On Saturday, the Pirates swept a doubleheader, winning both contests by a lone run.
With 50 wins, the Pirates have the most victories at the All-Star break since 2016. Their sweep also lifted them to three games over .500 for the first time since June 6.
The Pirates remain in fourth place in the competitive NL Central, as well as in striking distance (two games) of an NL wild-card spot.
“I have no idea what the standings look like or anything like that,” second baseman Brandon Lowe said. “I just know the feeling in the clubhouse and the way that the game looks that we’re putting out there. It looks really good. It’s just one of those things — let’s ride the momentum (and) keep playing good baseball.”
Heading into this season, general manager Ben Cherington made a concerted effort to boost an offense that ranked near the bottom of MLB in a number of key statistical categories a year ago.
Bringing in Lowe and fellow first-year player Ryan O’Hearn, on top of contributions from up and down the roster, has led to a near complete reversal on the offensive front.
As of Sunday evening, the Pirates were tied for the MLB lead in runs (516), held first place for hits (886) and RBIs (495) and ranked second in on-base percentage (.344).
The Pirates scored a total of 24 runs in their sweep of Milwaukee, racking up 29 hits.
“I think it says a lot about our team,” O’Hearn said. “Obviously, the Brewers are a good team. I think our offense is incredible. We kind of proved that today. It’s been like that, so I believe in this team. (Sunday) was really fun, fun series for us to kind of make a statement going into the All-Star break. Second half’s going to be awesome.”
Notable within the Pirates staying alive to this juncture of the season has been the relentless wave of injures that’s decimated the starting lineup.
Center fielder Oneil Cruz (hand) hasn’t played since early June, while first baseman Spencer Horwitz (hamstring) went down at the end of the month.
Rookie sensation Konnor Griffin, just eight games after returning from an elbow strain, recently suffered a finger injury that’s expected to keep him out until September.
Relievers Wilber Dotel and Evan Sisk are currently battling injuries, as is catcher Endy Rodriguez.
But at every turn, the Pirates have found personnel to plug into the lineup.
“We don’t know who it is going to be, but someone is going to step up,” Skenes said. “It’s just the team that we have. It’s the character that we have, here and in Triple-A.”
Outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez is a prime example.
Initially recalled from Triple-A in late May before appearing in a handful of games and being sent back down before the month’s end, Valdez joined the Pirates again June 11 and has remained with the club since.
The 22-year-old rookie has transitioned from top prospect to a mainstay in the lineup before the eyes of teammates and coaches.
Entering the All-Star break, Valdez is hitting .309 with 10 homers and 27 RBIs in 94 at-bats.
Valdez has an on-base percentage of .371 and an OPS of 1.084.
During Saturday’s doubleheader, he played hero for the Pirates, hitting two homers, including a grand slam, with six RBIs in Game 1, and another homer in Game 2.
All told, he finished the series with five hits, 15 total bases and nine RBIs.
“Valdez man, out of nowhere — been a big-time impact bat for us,” O’Hearn said. “We’re in a good spot. I like where our team’s at.”
Ultimately, the Pirates know that the positive vibes they’re feeling at the moment could evaporate quickly.
Plenty of work remains to be done over the season’s last few months and substantial ground will need to be covered in order to crack the postseason.
Having entered the All-Star break on such a strong note, the Pirates are taking a moment to appreciate where they are.
Friday, when the season resumes on the road at the Cleveland Guardians, their work will continue.
“I’ve been telling a lot of guys in this clubhouse — if you’re in it at the end, there’s nothing like it,” O’Hearn said. “We have some playoff experience in here, but it’s going to be cool. It’s going to be really cool. The crowd (Sunday) was incredible, too. Playing in a full stadium in front of our awesome fans has been really cool. It’s addicting. Just want to keep that going.”