Pittsburgh Pirates: What We've Learned from the Team's Start to the Season

Having reached the postseason each of the past two seasons only to fall in the divisional playoff round, the Pittsburgh Pirates were considered one of the early favorites to represent the National League in the World Series.

However, early-season slumps by key players and an inconsistent pitching staff have them sitting below .500 at the quarter mark of the season and looking up at the division-leading St. Louis Cardinals who already have nearly a double-digit game lead over the Pirates.

As the Pirates try to get back on track and in contention, let's take a look at what we've learned from their uneven start to this season.

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