PIRATES

While all five teams in the National League Central are above .500 and playing good baseball early in the season, Don Kelly isn't stressing the significance of this upcoming 10-game stretch against divisional opponents. 

"We’ve stressed that every game matters," Kelly said. "I think that’s one thing I’ve been really proud of the guys of. Regardless of what has happened in prior games, we’ve continued to compete really well. Messaging from the beginning, stressing that every single game matters. Show up, dominate today and find a way to get after it. Whatever happens in that game, rinse, repeat and show up tomorrow. I think the guys have done a really good job of that." 

It's that mindset that gives Kelly the confidence that the success this team has had thus far is sustainable throughout the course of a long 162-game season. 

"It’s what we showed the other night in Texas, giving up the lead late and coming right back in the ninth inning. Having the tough series in New York and finding a way to win the third game," Kelly said. "I don’t believe we’ve played our best baseball yet. There are things that we can get better at. We can continue to grow and learn through some of these experiences that we’ve gone through and continue to compete. I think that’s the thing I’ve been most impressed with, the way that we’ve shown up every day with that competitive mindset. Regardless of what happens, continue to give it everything we’ve got."