Here we go again, Pirates fans. National media has discovered Pittsburgh — and this time, ESPN didn’t just climb aboard the hype train. They punched a first-class ticket, stuck their heads out the window, and declared the Buccos not only playoff-bound…but National League Central champs in 2026.
Look — it's great that the Pirates' front office finally realized you need more than vibes and pitching prospects to score runs. And yes — they should absolutely be in the playoff conversation in 2026. That part of ESPN’s prediction? Totally fair.
But winning the division?