One of the best storylines of the first half of the MLB season was how the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Indians were both competing in their respective divisions.
The Pirates have not had a winning season since 1992 and finished last in the NL Central the previous four years.
The Indians lost more than 90 games the last two years and have just one postseason appearance since 2002.
On July 18, both perennial cellar dwellers had sole possession of first place. But since then, both teams have reverted back to their losing ways.
The Pirates snapped a 10-game skid on Monday and entered Tuesday night’s game 9.5 games back of the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers. Not only does their playoff chances look bleak, but their bid to end a streak of 18-straight losing seasons seems more unlikely after their latest skid dropped them under .500.
The Indians had a 10-game lead at one point but haven’t won a series since taking two of three games from the Yankees in the first week of July and entered Tuesday night’s game four games behind the Tigers in the AL Central.
Even if these teams finish — as expected in the spring — out of the playoffs, both have shown some promise for the future.
Pittsburgh center fielder Andrew McCutchen and Cleveland shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera have emerged as two of the most exciting young ballplayers in the league.
McCutchen leads the Pirates in home runs (15), runs (61) and on-base percentage (.374). The 24-year-old has been the Pirates’ best player the past two seasons but has added more power this year. And so has Cabrera.
The Indians’ 25-year-old shortstop has more home runs this season (19) than he had the previous four years combined.
The Pirates and Indians may be struggling once again, but the teams have promising young stars that now know what it takes to win — at least for half a season.
