To say the Pittsburgh Pirates are disappointing this year would be an understatement. They’re 17 games out of first place in the NL Central, and seemingly stalled out at just 76 wins in 2023 and 2024.

As the Pittsburgh Pirates approach the halfway point of the season, it feels like they already have played two halves: one with Derek Shelton as manager and another under the direction of Don Kelly.

Mlodzinski allowed six hits while walking three and striking out two for Pittsburgh, which has won seven of its past nine games. Mason Montgomery (1-0) earned the win, striking out two batters in ...