What Is 2014 Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team

Overview

The 2014 Pittsburgh Pirates represented the franchise's first postseason appearance in consecutive years since the early 1990s. After breaking a 20-year playoff drought in 2013, the team aimed to build on that momentum with a strong regular season performance.

Managed by Clint Hurdle, the Pirates maintained competitiveness in the National League Central but finished second behind the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite not winning their division, their 88-74 record earned them a Wild Card berth, marking back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in over two decades.

• Regular season record: The Pirates finished with an 88-74 win-loss tally, the second-best in the National League Central behind the 90-72 Cardinals.
• Postseason outcome: Pittsburgh lost 8-0 to the San Francisco Giants in the NL Wild Card Game on October 1, 2014, at PNC Park, ending their season.
• Attendance: The team drew 2,498,596 fans during the season, averaging just under 31,000 per home game at PNC Park.
• Key player performance: Andrew McCutchen, the 2013 NL MVP, batted .292 with 25 home runs, 87 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases in 156 games.
• Pitching staff: The rotation was anchored by Francisco Liriano and Gerrit Cole, with the bullpen relying heavily on closer Mark Melancon, who recorded 33 saves.

Season Performance

The 2014 Pirates demonstrated consistency throughout the year, blending veteran leadership with emerging talent. While injuries and inconsistency in the starting rotation posed challenges, the team remained in contention for much of the season.

• Division standing: Pittsburgh finished second in the NL Central with an 88-74 record, six games behind the 96-66 St. Louis Cardinals.
• Home vs. road splits: The Pirates posted a 49-32 home record at PNC Park but struggled on the road with a 39-42 mark.
• Offensive output: Pittsburgh scored 634 runs, ranking 11th in the National League, led by McCutchen and Josh Harrison, who hit .315.
• Pitching performance: The team's ERA was 3.40, seventh-best in the NL, with A.J. Burnett contributing a 2.89 ERA in 20 starts before retiring.
• Injuries: Key absences included Pedro Álvarez, who missed time due to a foot injury, and Jeff Locke, who had inconsistent outings.
• Managerial leadership: Clint Hurdle earned praise for managing a balanced roster and guiding the team to its second straight playoff berth.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2014 Pirates with their 2013 and 2015 seasons across key performance metrics.

The data shows that while the Pirates remained competitive from 2013 to 2015, they failed to advance past the Wild Card round despite improving offensive power. The 2014 season served as a bridge between a breakout 2013 and a high-scoring but similarly fated 2015 campaign.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season was significant in reinforcing the Pirates' return to relevance after decades of losing records. It marked the continuation of a cultural shift in the franchise, proving 2013 was not a fluke.

• Sustained competitiveness: Making the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since 1991–1992 signaled long-term improvement under Hurdle and GM Neal Huntington.
• Andrew McCutchen's impact: McCutchen remained the face of the franchise, earning his third All-Star selection and finishing fifth in MVP voting.
• Development of young talent: Gerrit Cole and Tony Watson emerged as reliable contributors, laying groundwork for future rotations.
• Attendance and fan engagement: Strong attendance reflected renewed fan interest, helping Pittsburgh rank among MLB's most improved franchises in popularity.
• Postseason challenges: Despite consistent Wild Card appearances, the team struggled to advance, highlighting the need for deeper playoff runs.
• Legacy of the era: The 2013–2015 stretch remains a high point for modern Pirates fans, representing the most sustained success since the Barry Bonds era.

The 2014 Pittsburgh Pirates may not have advanced far in the postseason, but their season was a testament to organizational rebuilding and the restoration of hope in Pittsburgh baseball.