After a decade-long postseason drought, the Pittsburgh Pirates are finally turning heads in 2026. Sitting at 22-19 through the first quarter of their schedule, the team is on pace for 87 wins—their best mark since 2015. According to FanGraphs' playoff odds, they now have a 58.2 percent chance of ending their playoff absence, making them one of the most intriguing stories in baseball this season.

Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz recently shared his thoughts on the Pirates' resurgence, and he didn't hold back. "I have been pushing that bandwagon for three years now," Smoltz said on VSiN. "This is a franchise that should be in the playoffs. They have everything you just said. They would be the scariest team in the playoffs." It's high praise from a man who knows what it takes to win on the biggest stage.

Smoltz didn't stop there. He singled out young ace Paul Skenes, calling him a "generational pitcher" and emphasizing that the talent around him is strong enough to carry Pittsburgh through a competitive NL Central. "When you have that staff and that young core, now is the time," Smoltz added, suggesting that the window for contention is wide open.

However, the Hall of Famer believes the true test will come at the trade deadline. After years of selling off assets, general manager Ben Cherington faces a pivotal moment: can he add impact talent to push this team over the top? Cherington has a track record of making bold moves, like acquiring Jake Peavy during Boston's 2013 World Series run, and he showed similar aggression last winter for the Pirates. Whether he can replicate that success in the months ahead could determine if this season ends with October baseball in Pittsburgh.

For now, the Pirates are riding a wave of optimism, and with a roster that blends young stars and veteran savvy, they're proving they belong in the conversation. As Smoltz put it, this is a team that could cause nightmares for any opponent come playoff time.