# POWER STRUGGLE: Pittsburgh Pirates RELY on Homers as Offense Can't Score Without Them

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-pirates-daily-podcast-on-the-pittsburgh-pirates-63933/power-struggle-pittsburgh-pirates-rely-on-homers-as-offense-can-t-score-without-them
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-pirates-daily-podcast-on-the-pittsburgh-pirates-63933/power-struggle-pittsburgh-pirates-rely-on-homers-as-offense-can-t-score-without-them.md
Podcast: [Locked On Pirates - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Pirates](https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-pirates-daily-podcast-on-the-pittsburgh-pirates-63933)
Published: 2026-08-31T04:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-pirates/
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdrl.fm/c332f6/lockedon.simplecastaudio.com/ca178804-c720-476f-9857-ad70690e8c6a/episodes/a7da80bd-f3c3-4341-9b0a-9526a10185f1/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=ca178804-c720-476f-9857-ad70690e8c6a&awEpisodeId=a7da80bd-f3c3-4341-9b0a-9526a10185f1&feed=z3NI6hOx
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Duration seconds: 2025

## Resource

Pittsburgh Pirates’ playoff hopes hinge on the long ball—can their power-first identity carry them forward, or will offensive inconsistency hold them back? Gary Morgan breaks down the Pirates’ striking reliance on home runs, revealing how their win-loss record shifts dramatically depending on their slugging. Key analysis spotlights the struggles against left-handed pitching, why small-ball hasn’t emerged despite team speed, and how organizational hitting philosophy may be stifling situational offense. The conversation shifts to Spencer Horwitz’s tough return from the IL, dissecting the impact of his hamstring injury on his swing mechanics and future role in the lineup. Fan questions fuel deeper discussion on Konnor Griffin’s recovery, Jared Triolo’s late-season surge, and the long-term outlook for prospects like Termarr Johnson. Can the Pirates transform patience and athleticism into a more dynamic offense, or will their power dependence define their 2027 trajectory?

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