The Pirates’ series win over the Phillies should announce Pittsburgh as a buyer before the trade deadline

After winning four straight games heading into the All-Star break, the Pittsburgh Pirates faced a tough challenge when they hosted the league-leading Philadelphia Phillies at PNC Park to open the second half of their season.

Things initially looked bleak for the Pirates when Philadelphia took a 3-0 lead in the first inning of the series opener on Friday. Pittsburgh was able to mount a comeback and tie the score, but the Phillies again took a three-run lead. Despite trailing in the ninth inning, the Pirates held on and pulled off an improbable victory thanks to a walk-off single by Nick Gonzales.

Pittsburgh then dominated the second game of the series thanks to right-hander Luis Ortiz, who shut down a fearsome Phillies lineup for seven innings. Andrew McCutchen hit a solo home run to break a scoreless tie in the sixth inning, and Oneil Cruz hit an RBI double and a two-run home run to seal the 4-1 victory for Pittsburgh.

After winning the first two games of the series, the Pirates faltered in the finale. The 6-0 loss ended their six-game winning streak and dashed any hopes of winning the series. Despite the disappointing ending, however, the loss to the best team in baseball, which had won two of three games, should be viewed as a passing test in what is arguably the Pirates’ biggest test of the season.

After the series win, the Pirates (50-49) were above .500 for the first time since April and were just a half-game away from the National League’s third and final wild card spot. Any questions about their strategy for the transfer deadline should be clear by now: They have to be buyers, which they proved again on Monday night by turning their good feelings into a late-game comeback and victory over the Cardinals.

The Pirates are in the thick of the NL Wild Card race, and their next two series against the St. Louis Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks will determine their fate in the postseason. The July 30 trade deadline is fast approaching, and Pittsburgh has enough pitchers in the minor leagues to make a move. Now is the time to do it.

It’s no secret that the Pirates could benefit greatly from strengthening the outfield, especially in center field. Aside from All-Star Bryan Reynolds, Pittsburgh’s outfielders have struggled at bat this season. Michael A. Taylor and Joshua Palacios are real defensive assets and have been solid options off the bench in the late stages of games, but the Pirates need a couple more productive hitters in the first innings.

While they have a strong starting lineup, the Pirates’ bullpen could also use some work. Ryan Borucki and Hunter Stratton are expected to return once they complete their rehab assignments, and Quinn Priester has been solid out of the bullpen, but there are never too many good relievers — especially if the Pirates continue to crack down on their starters’ workloads.

Ultimately, no matter where the Pirates upgrade, they should look to outside options in the week leading up to the deadline. An explosive outfield bat or outstanding reliever could go a long way toward securing the team a postseason spot.

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