Pittsburgh Pirates Suffer Blown Saves in Quest for NL Wild-Card

The Pittsburgh Pirates are battling to stay in contention with a 43-42 record, currently 9th in the National League, after winning 7-11 at Philadelphia Phillies on June 29.

What's going wrong for the Pirates?

The Pirates' bullpen has been a major concern, with 17 blown saves so far, including a recent loss to the Reds.

The team's relievers have a collective .233 batting average against, which is the eighth-best in baseball.

How are the Pirates performing in save situations?

Gregory Soto, the closer, has four blown saves, and the team has a 17 for 34 conversion rate in save situations.

The Pirates are 33-7 when leading after six innings, but their inability to protect leads has been costly.

What's the impact on the NL wild-card race?

The Pirates' repeated bullpen meltdowns have been a handicap, and they need to improve their performance to stay in contention.

On June 27, Soto blew a save against the Reds, allowing a three-run homer to Eugenio Suarez.

The Pirates have a tough road ahead, but they are still in the running for the NL wild-card spot.

And with their current standing, they need to win consistently to stay ahead.

But the team's performance in save situations needs to improve dramatically.

So the Pirates will be looking to strengthen their bullpen and protect leads better.

The Pirates' next game will be crucial in determining their chances of making it to the playoffs.

The team's fans are hoping for a turnaround in their performance, starting with the next game.

The Pirates' manager will be looking to make some changes to the team's strategy to improve their performance.

The team's performance on June 29, winning 7-11 at Philadelphia Phillies, is a positive sign.