Pittsburgh Pirates Clinch: Could Deep Postseason Run Be in Their Future?

The Pittsburgh Pirates clinched a playoff spot Tuesday night with a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves. 

After reaching the postseason in 2013, the Pirates have been scorching hot in September and are en route to another trip to the playoffs. A 15-6 record this month has not only secured a wild-card berth, but it also has the Buccos 1.5 games behind the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals. 

This will be the first time since 1990-1992 that the Pirates have made the postseason in consecutive seasons. After 20 straight losing seasons, the Bucs have righted the ship due to one of the deepest rosters in Major League Baseball.

Getting to the postseason is one thing, but winning is another.

Last season the Pirates fell in five games to the rival Cardinals in heartbreaking fashion. How will the club get over the hump this postseason?

Let's break down the keys to a successful Pirates' postseason.

The Offense Needs to Continue to Get on Base.

Andrew McCutchen is widely regarded as one of the best players in Major League Baseball. 

But the Pittsburgh offense is much more than the reigning NL MVP.

Pittsburgh ranks in the top three in the NL in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS. The club has struck out the fourth fewest times in the NL, while ranking second in walks.

OBP is important for the success of the Pirates offense.

Andrew McCutchen (first), Starling Marte (16th), Josh Harrison (22nd) and Neil Walker (28th) all rank in the top 30 in OBP in the NL. Although Russell Martin does not qualify due to fewer at-bats, the Pirates' catcher's .405 OBP would rank him behind McCutchen in the NL. 

If the Pirates continue to play to their strengths (getting on base), the club should score plenty of runs to win ballgames.

The Starting Pitching Needs to be Good, not Great.

Pittsburgh's lack of an ace could hurt the team come postseason time, but a deep rotation allows for numerous options in October. 

Mark Simon at ESPN points out that despite the club's apparent void at the top of the rotation, no Pirates starter has an ERA higher than 3.80. 

With an offense that averages over four runs a game, that same production should be enough in the postseason.

The staff is also starting to pitch much better down the stretch. Dan Shulman of ESPN notes the improved performances of the staff.

Expect the Buccos to use Francisco Liriano, Edinson Volquez, Jeff Locke and Gerrit Cole in their postseason rotation. These four starters have combined for 37 wins and 59 quality starts. 

With excellent options in the bullpen such as Tony Watson (1.44 ERA, 33 holds) and Mark Melancon (1.93 ERA, 32 saves), Pirates starters just need to keep the team within reach in the early innings.

Continue the Dominance at PNC Park. 

One of the key reasons the Pirates have positioned themselves for another run in the postseason is their success at their home ballpark. 

The Pirates are 51-30 at PNC Park this season, tying them for the best record in the NL with the St. Louis Cardinals. The club's 51 wins is the most in the history of PNC Park, as noted by the Pirates' official twitter feed. 

The team's official twitter feed also notes that the Pirates have set a franchise record in attendance this season.  

"

Pirates break PNC Park attendance record - http://t.co/Zr1gUJqCT1 #Pirates

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates_fans10) September 24, 2014"

With the club still fighting for more than just a wild-card berth, home-field advantage could be a major factor in the team's postseason success. 

Catching the Cardinals and avoiding the Wild Card Game would give the Pirates home-field advantage in the NLDS. If they can't catch the Cards, making sure they finish ahead of the San Francisco Giants becomes critical. This would allow the Pirates to play the do-or-die Wild Card Game in the confines of PNC Park. 

The Pirates have one of the more complete rosters in all of baseball. They will be a tough out for any team in the National League playoffs. If the club can continue to get quality starts from its starting pitching, the offense should score enough runs for the Pirates to enjoy the October festivities.