One of the best teams in the National League, and even all of baseball, had one of their best months in August, as the Pittsburgh Pirates put up a 19-8 record, resulting in their best winning percentage for a month this season (.704).
In the process, the Pirates plated 123 runs, which was also their best for a month in 2015. If their offense can continue to produce like that, with the starting pitchers doing fine work behind NL Cy Young candidate Gerrit Cole and Francisco Liriano, the Pirates may have all the ammo they need to catch the first-place St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central division.
It’s unfortunate the Pirates even have to chase down a team for first-place, as their record would have them at the top in just about any other division. Overall, the NL Central is having a monstrous season, with the Cardinals having the best record in baseball and the Chicago Cubs being 19 games over .500. And even so, because of how the playoffs are set up, it could be either the Cubs or Pirates on the outside looking in after the National League Wild Card Game at the conclusion of the regular season.
As a result, the final month-and-change of the campaign will be extremely crucial for the Buccos. Below is the most and least expensive Pirates tickets on the secondary market in September, with information from TiqIQ.com.
Most Expensive: 9/25/2015 | Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Wrigley Field | Average Price: $129.02 | Get-in Price: $20
9/26/2015 | Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Wrigley Field | Average Price: $136.43 | Get-in Price: $46
9/27/2015 | Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Wrigley Field | Average Price: $147.51 | Get-in Price: $22
The most expensive Pirates games on the secondary market in September come against the red-hot Cubs, who finished off their incredible month of August with a no-hitter from stud pitcher Jake Arrieta. The Cubs finished August with the same 19-8 record as the Pirates, and have some entertaining baseball lined up for the home stretch. Pirates fans can support the team on the road with Hipmunk.com, booking Chicago flights for the series.
9/30/2015 | Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals | PNC Park | Average Price: $110.20 | Get-in Price: $18
The most expensive games of the month stays within the division, as the Cardinals follow up the Cubs in the ensuing Pirates series. PNC Park will be rocking when the Cardinals come to Pittsburgh, trying to stave off the Bucs for the NL Central lead. This is the most expensive home game in the month, having an average ticket price of $110.20 and a get-in price of $18. Out-of-town fans looking to attend PNC Park can use Hipmunk.com to reserve hotels in Pittsburgh to create the most economical trip. There’s probably no better option, as these games with the Cardinals at the very end of September may ultimately determine who takes the NL Central crown.
Least Expensive: 9/8/2015 | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Great American Ball Park | Average Price: $22 | Get-in Price: $3
The least expensive action is against yet another division rival, the Reds, who reside on the opposite end of the spectrum. In fact, they’re currently mired in the NL Central basement, although they’re probably better than their underwhelming record, boasting one of the more potent lineups in the league. Playing the role of playoff spoiler, the average ticket price to see the Reds and Pirates tangle at Great American Ball Park is $22, with a get-in price of only $3.
