Break Up The Pirates!

After today's 7-4 win over the Marlins, the mighty Pittsburgh Pirates sit at 9-6, which is the Pirate equivalent of being undefeated. This is the Bucs' best start, through 15 games, since 2002, when they were 10-5, and on their way to 12-5, before the wheels fell off and they ended up 72-89 for the year. Here a quick look at the Pirates' records through 15 games each season since PNC Park opened:

2001: 6-9
2002: 10-5
2003: 8-7
2004: 7-8
2005: 4-11
2006: 4-11
2007: 6-9
2008: 7-8

As we all know, the Pirates ended up with a losing record in each of these seasons so I'm trying not to get too excited by their start this year. But one aspect of the Bucs' impressive start that I am feeling good about is the way they're winning games. For the most part, the Pirates look like a legitimately good team. They're playing fundamentally well, with good base running and clutch hitting. Their starting pitching has been excellent, which in turn means the bullpen has not been overused, resulting in effective relief work. It seems that in previous seasons, whenever the Pirates would put together a winning stretch, many of their victories would be of the scrappy, come-from-behind variety. Which is nice, don't get me wrong, but the Pirates of 2009 seem to finally be playing as if they expect to win. Not in an arrogant way; just confident. Maybe this "confident" start will turn into a "diffident" stretch at some point, and the losses will begin to outnumber the wins. Actually, it will probably happen. But for now, I'm just gonna enjoy the ride.