The Pirates need to turn things around on a trip to St. Louis. (Getty Images)

The fact that the Pirates haven't had a winning season since 1992 is no secret, nor is the fact that they are threatening to break that dubious streak this season and become the feel-good story of baseball. Right now, though, Clint Hurdle's bunch is in a rough spot.

The Pirates have lost seven of their last 10. Their lead for the second wild-card spot is a tenuous one game, over both the Giants and Cardinals. And the Pirates now head to St. Louis for a three-game series against the latter.

The biggest issue is that the Cardinals boast one of the most powerful offeses in baseball, while the Pirates' once-solid pitching staff has coughed up 72 runs in its past 10 games. For any baseball newbies reading, that's bad. Worse yet, staff ace A.J. Burnett (trust me, that's as weird for me to write as it is for you to read) won't be pitching this weekend. He went Thursday.

So, against the best offense in the National League, it'll be James McDonald, Erik Bedard and Jeff Karstens.

Since the All-Star break, McDonald is 1-2 with an 8.71 ERA and 2.03 ERA and Bedard has been shelled in two of his last three starts. While Karstens isn't bad, he's not exactly Justin Verlander.

Add on top of all that: The Pirates have allowed 38 runs in six games at St. Louis this season.

No matter how you look at it, this three-game series represents a significant test for this Pirates ballclub. They're just 16 wins from 81 while also in the midst of their first legitimate pennant race since the days of Barry Bonds and Andy Van Slyke.

A few weeks ago I said that the Pirates were heading to Cincinnati for possibly the biggest series for the franchise since 1992. I think we can safely say that again. The Pirates could bounce back from a bad stretch and prove they're legit against the defending champs or they could fold and lay the groundwork for a total collapse. Many non-Pirates fans are counting on the latter, but I still think this club has mettle. Stay tuned.

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