How many times has the Pirates bullpen, one that was supposed to be a strength coming into the 2024 campaign, blown late leads in recent weeks?

It’s literally been way too many to count, but the latest one occurred last Wednesday afternoon when the Buccos built a 10-3 lead against the Cubs at PNC Park, only to allow them to plate 11 runs over the final three innings and comeback to win by a score of 14-10. Closer David Bednar yielded five runs in the top of the ninth inning for his sixth blown save of the season, as Chicago finished off the final leg of a three-game sweep.

After losing two of three at Cleveland over the weekend, the Bucs were in Chicago on Monday night to take on the Cubs in another three-game series, this time at the iconic Wrigley Field.

Former Pirates hurler Jameson Taillon was on the hump for the Cubs while rookie Jared Jones, who got knocked around by Chicago at PNC Park last week, was making his second start for Pittsburgh after missing several weeks due to a lat injury.

Taillon looked as sharp and efficient as ever, pitching seven strong innings, allowing three hits and no runs while striking out three batters and walking one.

As for Jones, he didn’t look like the early-season phenom who dominated the opposition every fifth day, but he certainly was more effective than his post-injury debut last Tuesday; he went six-and-one-third innings and allowed six hits and three earns runs while striking out four hitters and walking one.

Still, Chicago took a 3-0 lead into the top of the eighth inning and looked primed to win its seventh-straight game. Believe it or not, Pittsburgh actually had other plans; Isiah Kiner-Falefa led off the frame with a single to center. Nick Gonzales then reached on an infield hit. Next up was Bryan Reynolds, who cranked a three-run home run to left-center field to tie the game at three. It was the 22nd dinger of the year for Reynolds, who now has 77 RBI. Two batters later, Andrew McCutchen uncorked a solo shot to left field to give the visitors a 4-3 advantage.

The Pirates added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning when Jared Triolo scored from second on a Gonzales single to right field.

Taking late leads has been nothing unusual for the Pirates as of late. Holding on to them, well, that’s been a major issue.

How would the Pirates’ beleaguered bullpen respond? After Aroldis Chapman pitched a scoreless bottom of the eighth inning, Dennis Santana took the mound in the bottom of the ninth (Bednar’s latest blown save earned him a demotion from closer to something else) and set the Cubs down in order to secure his third save and the Buccos’ 64th victory on the season.

Paul Skenes will take the mound for the second game of the series on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field as the Pirates look to win their second straight over the contending Cubbies, who are currently three-and-a-half games out of the third wildcard spot in the National League.