Why This Pirates Collapse Feels Different

The Pirates were supposed to be ready in 2026. They improved the roster over the winter, aggressively addressed the bullpen at the trade deadline and had a Wild Card spot within reach less than a month ago.

Instead, they've collapsed again.

Alex Stumpf looks at why this late-season collapse feels different from 2011, 2012 and 2024, why the usual excuses don't completely work this time, and how several of the players Pittsburgh was counting on have failed to deliver during the most meaningful stretch of the season.

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