As the MLB season heats up, the Pittsburgh Pirates are emerging as a team no one wants to face come October—and it's not just the fans saying it. With a solid 24-20 record and a plus-32 run differential, the Pirates are proving they're more than just a feel-good story. They rank sixth in runs per game and eighth in ERA, giving them a 58.9 percent chance of reaching the postseason, according to FanGraphs. Not bad for a team that hasn't seen playoff action since 2015.

But here's the catch: the NL Central is a battleground this year. All five teams boast winning records, leaving Pittsburgh in fourth place. Still, as the season grinds on, a few contenders are bound to fade. And if the Pirates can hold their ground, they could be the dark horse that shakes up October.

One American League executive put it bluntly to Jayson Stark of The Athletic: "The Pirates have enough pitching that you would not want to play them in October. I mean, obviously you’re going to get really good starters in Games 1, 2 and 3." That rotation—potentially featuring Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, and Braxton Ashcraft, with a possible return from Jared Jones—could be a nightmare for any lineup.

The offense might get a boost too. Another AL exec noted, "Pitching-wise, they’ve got the inventory in their system to go out and get what they need offensively if they’ll take on the money." After adding payroll over the winter, the Pirates could swing a big trade at the deadline to shore up their bats. If they do, this team won't just be in the playoffs—they'll be a threat to make some serious noise.