It's been a difficult season for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

They got off to an awful start, going 12-26 and basically playing themselves out of contention before Mother's Day. That cost sixth-year manager Derek Shelton his job, and bench coach Don Kelly replaced him on May 8.

The Pirates have a 67-89 record heading into a season-ending six-game road trip to Cincinnati and Atlanta and will finish last in the National League Central.

They have been terrible late in the season. Until winning consecutive games against the Athletics last Saturday and Sunday, the Pirates had lost 12 of their previous 13 games.

The awful stretch made it quite clear to General Manager Ben Cherington where his team stands, with the season ending on Sunday.

"The last two weeks make you really confront the things that we have to get better at," Cherington said. "It's not just one thing. The roster needs to improve. That's going to be a combination of guys who are already here and strengthening the roster in the offseason.

"And we also need to play a really consistent, smart brand of baseball. We haven't done that consistently enough in the last couple of weeks. It's not a lack of effort. We just haven't executed the way we need to to win games."

However, Cherington also sees a silver lining in a dark cloud.

"It's been very difficult but also incredibly motivating," Cherington said. "We've got to get better."

How much better the Pirates can get without making offseason moves is questionable.

They are last in MLB in runs scored and home runs. However, power hitters cost money, and owner Bob Nutting annually gives Cherington shoestring budgets.

The lack of offense has overshadowed a pitching staff that is eighth in ERA in MLB and led by 23-year-old phenom Paul Skenes.

"There are some things that have happened at the major league level this year that have been really good, but certainly not nearly enough," Cherington said. "The roster needs to improve. That's going to be a combination of guys who are already here and strengthening the roster in the offseason."