The Pittsburgh Pirates must prioritize improving their bullpen for the 2025 season after a disappointing performance in 2023, where they ranked 27th in ERA and blew 36 leads.

David Bednar's struggles as a closer and the uncertainty surrounding free agents like Aroldis Chapman highlight the need for change. Fortunately, the Pirates' farm system boasts several promising pitching prospects, including top prospect Bubba Chandler, who could help bolster the roster.

With a surplus of starting pitchers in the minors, the team faces tough decisions on how to utilize their talent effectively. While free agency may not be a primary focus, adding a veteran reliever could still be beneficial.

In a thrilling finale to the regular season, Alex Verdugo's two-run single propelled the New York Yankees to a 6-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Verdugo's clutch hit came in the eighth inning, breaking a 4-all tie and capping off a challenging season for him.

The Yankees, who secured home-field advantage for the playoffs, showcased a strong performance, despite some struggles from their pitching staff. The Pirates ended their season with a sixth consecutive losing record.

Paul Skenes made a remarkable first start at Yankee Stadium, throwing two perfect innings and striking out notable hitters like Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, contributing to the Pittsburgh Pirates' 9-4 victory.

With a season-ending ERA of 1.96 and 170 strikeouts, Skenes is a strong contender for the National League Rookie of the Year. Yankees' Luis Gil struggled, allowing four home runs in his outing, but showed resilience post-Tommy John surgery.

In a solid performance, Willy Adames of the Milwaukee Brewers notched his first 30-20 season in a 7-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. With two hits, including a double, Adames secured his 20th stolen base and 32 home runs, becoming part of a historic duo with rookie Jackson Chourio.

The Brewers' offense was potent, with contributions from Rhys Hoskins and Sal Frelick, as they capitalized on errors from Pittsburgh's defense. Hoby Milner earned the win, pitching a perfect fifth inning.

The Pittsburgh Pirates faced another disappointing defeat, falling 7-2 to the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park. This loss highlighted Pittsburgh's ongoing offensive struggles, despite nine hits. They managed only one hit in five chances with runners on base while the Brewers capitalized on their opportunities with 12 at bats in scoring position.

The Brewers established an early lead in the second inning, featuring hits from Sal Frelick and Joey Ortiz. Although the Pirates briefly narrowed the gap with contributions from Jared Triolo and Nick Yorke, they couldn't advance further.

The Brewers eventually extended their lead with three runs in the seventh inning, aided by walks and a sacrifice fly. Bailey Falter took the loss for Pittsburgh, now holding an 8-9 record this season, while Milwaukee’s Hoby Milner secured the win in relief.