| Monday, January 29 |
| Future Pirate Jason Schmidt is born in Lewiston, ID. |
| Thursday, February 8 |
| Former Pirate Roy Spencer dies in Port Charlotte, FL at the age of 73. |
| Friday, February 23 |
| Future Pirate Jason Boyd is born in St. Clair, IL. |
| Thursday, April 5 |
| » Major-league debuts: Gene Locklear (Reds) |
| Friday, April 6 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (0-1), 7-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (1-0) | 1-0 | |
| » Starters: Bob Gibson vs Steve Blass | First | -- |
| Sunday, April 8 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (0-2), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-0) | 2-0 | Won 2 |
| » Starters: Rick Wise vs Nelson Briles | First | -- |
| » Defeated Cardinals (0-3), 5-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (3-0) | 3-0 | Won 3 |
| » Starters: Scipio Spinks vs Dock Ellis | First | -- |
| Monday, April 9 |
| » Major-league debuts: Rich Troedson (Padres) |
| Thursday, April 12 |
| » Defeated Cubs (2-2), 6-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (4-0) | 4-0 | Won 4 |
| » Starters: Fergie Jenkins vs Bob Moose | First | -- |
| Friday, April 13 |
| » Major-league debuts: Larry Christenson (Phillies) |
| Saturday, April 14 |
| » Lost to Expos (3-3), 6-4 | Parc Jarry (0-1) | 4-1 | |
| » Starters: Nelson Briles vs Ernie McAnally | First | -- |
| Sunday, April 15 |
| » Defeated Expos (3-4), 8-3 | Parc Jarry (1-1) | 5-1 | |
| » Starters: Dock Ellis vs Mike Torrez | First | -- |
| Tuesday, April 17 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (1-8), 4-3 | Busch Stadium II (1-0) | 6-1 | Won 2 |
| » Starters: Steve Blass vs Bob Gibson | First | -- |
| Former Pirate Vic Aldridge dies in Terre Haute, IN at the age of 80. |
| Wednesday, April 18 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (1-9), 8-2 | Busch Stadium II (2-0) | 7-1 | Won 3 |
| » Starters: Bob Moose vs Rick Wise | First | -- |
| Saturday, April 21 |
| » Lost to Cubs (8-4), 10-9 | Wrigley Field (0-1) | 7-2 | |
| » Starters: Nelson Briles vs Fergie Jenkins | First | -- |
| Sunday, April 22 |
| » Defeated Cubs (8-5), 10-4 | Wrigley Field (1-1) | 8-2 | |
| » Starters: Dock Ellis vs Milt Pappas | First | -- |
| » Lost to Cubs (9-5), 11-3 | Wrigley Field (1-2) | 8-3 | |
| » Starters: Steve Blass vs Larry Gura | First | -- |
| Tuesday, April 24 |
| » Lost to Padres (7-12), 7-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (4-1) | 8-4 | Lost 2 |
| » Starters: Steve Arlin vs Bob Moose | First | -- |
| Saturday, April 28 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (9-11), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (4-2) | 8-5 | Lost 3 |
| » Starters: Don Sutton vs Nelson Briles | First | -- |
| Sunday, April 29 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (10-11), 9-8 | Three Rivers Stadium (4-3) | 8-6 | Lost 4 |
| » Starters: Andy Messersmith vs Steve Blass | Second | 2½ out |
| » Lost to Dodgers (11-11), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (4-4) | 8-7 | Lost 5 |
| » Starters: Claude Osteen vs Dock Ellis | Second | 2½ out |
| Tuesday, May 1 |
| » Lost to Giants (19-6), 8-7 | Candlestick Park (0-1) | 8-8 | Lost 6 |
| » Starters: Bob Moose vs Ron Bryant | Third | 2½ out |
| Wednesday, May 2 |
| » Defeated Giants (19-7), 2-1 | Candlestick Park (1-1) | 9-8 | |
| » Starters: Luke Walker vs Jim Barr | Third | 2½ out |
| Thursday, May 3 |
| » Defeated Giants (19-8), 14-5 | Candlestick Park (2-1) | 10-8 | Won 2 |
| » Starters: Nelson Briles vs Jim Willoughby | Second | 2½ out |
| Friday, May 4 |
| » Defeated Padres (8-18), 12-6 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (1-0) | 11-8 | Won 3 |
| » Starters: Steve Blass vs Fred Norman | Second | 2½ out |
| Saturday, May 5 |
| » Lost to Padres (9-18), 6-5 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (1-1) | 11-9 | |
| » Starters: Dock Ellis vs Mike Corkins | Second | 2½ out |
| Sunday, May 6 |
| » Lost to Padres (10-18), 8-0 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (1-2) | 11-10 | Lost 2 |
| » Starters: Bob Moose vs Mike Caldwell | Second | 3 out |
| Monday, May 7 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (15-14), 5-4 | Dodger Stadium (1-0) | 12-10 | |
| » Starters: Luke Walker vs Don Sutton | First | -- |
| Tuesday, May 8 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (16-14), 7-4 | Dodger Stadium (1-1) | 12-11 | |
| » Starters: Nelson Briles vs Andy Messersmith | Second | 3 out |
| Wednesday, May 9 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (17-14), 8-5 | Dodger Stadium (1-2) | 12-12 | Lost 2 |
| » Starters: Steve Blass vs Claude Osteen | Second | 3 out |
| Friday, May 11 |
| » Lost to Mets (15-14), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (4-5) | 12-13 | Lost 3 |
| » Starters: Harry Parker vs Dock Ellis | Third | 3 out |
| Saturday, May 12 |
| » Lost to Mets (16-14), 6-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (4-6) | 12-14 | Lost 4 |
| » Starters: Tom Seaver vs Bob Moose | Fourth | 4 out |
| Sunday, May 13 |
| » Lost to Mets (17-14), 6-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (4-7) | 12-15 | Lost 5 |
| » Starters: Jim McAndrew vs Luke Walker | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Monday, May 14 |
| » Lost to Expos (14-15), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (4-8) | 12-16 | Lost 6 |
| » Starters: Steve Renko vs Nelson Briles | Fourth | 6 out |
| Tuesday, May 15 |
| » Defeated Expos (14-16), 9-8 | Three Rivers Stadium (5-8) | 13-16 | |
| » Starters: Ernie McAnally vs Steve Blass | Fourth | 6 out |
| Wednesday, May 16 |
| » Lost to Phillies (13-20), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (5-9) | 13-17 | |
| » Starters: Wayne Twitchell vs Dock Ellis | Fourth | 6 out |
| Thursday, May 17 |
| » Defeated Phillies (13-21), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (6-9) | 14-17 | |
| » Starters: Steve Carlton vs Bob Moose | Third | 5 out |
| Friday, May 18 |
| » Lost to Mets (19-15), 4-3 | Shea Stadium (0-1) | 14-18 | |
| » Starters: Luke Walker vs Tom Seaver | Fourth | 6 out |
| Saturday, May 19 |
| » Defeated Mets (19-16), 4-1 | Shea Stadium (1-1) | 15-18 | |
| » Starters: Nelson Briles vs Jon Matlack | Third | 5½ out |
| Monday, May 21 |
| » Defeated Phillies (14-24), 5-4 | Veteran's Stadium (1-0) | 16-18 | Won 2 |
| » Starters: Steve Blass vs Steve Carlton | Third | 5 out |
| Tuesday, May 22 |
| » Lost to Phillies (15-24), 7-4 | Veteran's Stadium (1-1) | 16-19 | |
| » Starters: Dock Ellis vs Wayne Twitchell | Fourth | 5 out |
| Friday, May 25 |
| » Lost to Astros (27-18), 7-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (6-10) | 16-20 | Lost 2 |
| » Starters: Jerry Reuss vs Bob Moose | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Saturday, May 26 |
| » Defeated Astros (27-19), 7-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (7-10) | 17-20 | |
| » Starters: Ken Forsch vs Nelson Briles | Third | 6½ out |
| Sunday, May 27 |
| » Lost to Astros (28-19), 6-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (7-11) | 17-21 | |
| » Starters: Dave Roberts vs Steve Blass | Third | 7½ out |
| Monday, May 28 |
| » Defeated Astros (28-20), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (8-11) | 18-21 | |
| » Starters: Don Wilson vs Dock Ellis | Third | 6½ out |
| Tuesday, May 29 |
| » Defeated Braves (17-28), 6-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (9-11) | 19-21 | Won 2 |
| » Starters: Carl Morton vs Luke Walker | Third | 6½ out |
| Wednesday, May 30 |
| » Defeated Braves (17-29), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (10-11) | 20-21 | Won 3 |
| » Starters: Ron Reed vs Bob Moose | Second | 5½ out |
| Thursday, May 31 |
| » Defeated Braves (17-30), 3-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (11-11) | 21-21 | Won 4 |
| » Starters: Gary Gentry vs Nelson Briles | Second | 5½ out |
| Friday, June 1 |
| » Defeated Reds (27-22), 9-6 | Three Rivers Stadium (12-11) | 22-21 | Won 5 |
| » Starters: Jim McGlothlin vs Steve Blass | Second | 4½ out |
| Saturday, June 2 |
| » Defeated Reds (27-23), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (13-11) | 23-21 | Won 6 |
| » Starters: Jack Billingham vs Dock Ellis | Second | 4½ out |
| Sunday, June 3 |
| » Lost to Reds (28-23), 5-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (13-12) | 23-22 | |
| » Starters: Clay Carroll vs Luke Walker | Second | 5½ out |
| Monday, June 4 |
| » Lost to Giants (36-20), 7-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (13-13) | 23-23 | Lost 2 |
| » Starters: Tom Bradley vs Bob Moose | Second | 6 out |
| Tuesday, June 5 |
| » Lost to Giants (37-20), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (13-14) | 23-24 | Lost 3 |
| » Starters: Ron Bryant vs Nelson Briles | Third | 6 out |
| Wednesday, June 6 |
| » Lost to Giants (38-20), 9-7 | Three Rivers Stadium (13-15) | 23-25 | Lost 4 |
| » Starters: Juan Marichal vs Steve Blass | Third | 7 out |
| Friday, June 8 |
| » Lost to Astros (32-26), 4-3 | Astrodome (0-1) | 23-26 | Lost 5 |
| » Starters: Dock Ellis vs Ken Forsch | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Saturday, June 9 |
| » Defeated Astros (32-27), 4-1 | Astrodome (1-1) | 24-26 | |
| » Starters: Bob Moose vs Don Wilson | Third | 6½ out |
| Sunday, June 10 |
| » Lost to Astros (33-27), 7-1 | Astrodome (1-2) | 24-27 | |
| » Starters: Nelson Briles vs Jerry Reuss | Third | 7½ out |
| Former Pirate Tom Padden dies in Manchester, NH at the age of 65. |
| Monday, June 11 |
| » Lost to Braves (24-34), 9-7 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (0-1) | 24-28 | Lost 2 |
| » Starters: Steve Blass vs Carl Morton | Fourth | 8 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Tom Dettore (Pirates) |
| Tuesday, June 12 |
| » Lost to Braves (25-34), 4-2 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (0-2) | 24-29 | Lost 3 |
| » Starters: Luke Walker vs Phil Niekro | Fourth | 9 out |
| Wednesday, June 13 |
| » Lost to Braves (26-34), 18-3 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (0-3) | 24-30 | Lost 4 |
| » Starters: Dock Ellis vs Ron Reed | Fifth | 9 out |
| Friday, June 15 |
| » Lost to Reds (32-28), 6-0 | Riverfront Stadium (0-1) | 24-31 | Lost 5 |
| » Starters: Bob Moose vs Fred Norman | Fifth | 9½ out |
| Saturday, June 16 |
| » Defeated Reds (32-29), 5-0 | Riverfront Stadium (1-1) | 25-31 | |
| » Starters: Nelson Briles vs Don Gullett | Fifth | 9½ out |
| Sunday, June 17 |
| » Lost to Reds (33-29), 3-1 | Riverfront Stadium (1-2) | 25-32 | |
| » Starters: Luke Walker vs Jack Billingham | Fifth | 10½ out |
| » Lost to Reds (34-29), 5-1 | Riverfront Stadium (1-3) | 25-33 | Lost 2 |
| » Starters: Tom Dettore vs Ross Grimsley | Fifth | 10½ out |
| Monday, June 18 |
| » Defeated Cubs (39-27), 3-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (14-15) | 26-33 | |
| » Starters: Fergie Jenkins vs Dock Ellis | Fifth | 9½ out |
| Tuesday, June 19 |
| » Lost to Cubs (40-27), 6-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (14-16) | 26-34 | |
| » Starters: Larry Gura vs Bob Johnson | Sixth | 9½ out |
| » Defeated Cubs (40-28), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (15-16) | 27-34 | |
| » Starters: Bill Bonham vs Bob Moose | Sixth | 9½ out |
| Wednesday, June 20 |
| » Lost to Cubs (41-28), 5-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (15-17) | 27-35 | |
| » Starters: Rick Reuschel vs Nelson Briles | Sixth | 10½ out |
| Thursday, June 21 |
| » Defeated Mets (28-33), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (16-17) | 28-35 | |
| » Starters: Jerry Koosman vs Luke Walker | Sixth | 10 out |
| Friday, June 22 |
| » Lost to Mets (29-33), 5-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (16-18) | 28-36 | |
| » Starters: George Stone vs Steve Blass | Sixth | 10 out |
| Saturday, June 23 |
| » Defeated Mets (29-34), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (17-18) | 29-36 | |
| » Starters: Jim McAndrew vs Dock Ellis | Sixth | 9 out |
| Sunday, June 24 |
| » Lost to Mets (30-34), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (17-19) | 29-37 | |
| » Starters: Tom Seaver vs Bob Moose | Sixth | 10 out |
| Monday, June 25 |
| » Defeated Expos (32-32), 8-6 | Parc Jarry (2-1) | 30-37 | |
| » Starters: Bob Johnson vs Ernie McAnally | Sixth | 9½ out |
| » Defeated Expos (32-33), 3-1 | Parc Jarry (3-1) | 31-37 | Won 2 |
| » Starters: Nelson Briles vs John Strohmayer | Sixth | 9½ out |
| Tuesday, June 26 |
| » Lost to Expos (33-33), 10-3 | Parc Jarry (3-2) | 31-38 | |
| » Starters: Luke Walker vs Bill Stoneman | Sixth | 10½ out |
| Wednesday, June 27 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (35-36), 15-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (17-20) | 31-39 | Lost 2 |
| » Starters: Reggie Cleveland vs Jim Rooker | Sixth | 11 out |
| Thursday, June 28 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (35-37), 6-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (18-20) | 32-39 | |
| » Starters: Rick Wise vs Dock Ellis | Fifth | 11 out |
| Friday, June 29 |
| » Defeated Expos (34-36), 4-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (19-20) | 33-39 | Won 2 |
| » Starters: Ernie McAnally vs Bob Moose | Fifth | 11 out |
| Saturday, June 30 |
| » Defeated Expos (34-37), 5-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (20-20) | 34-39 | Won 3 |
| » Starters: Balor Moore vs Nelson Briles | Fifth | 10 out |
| Sunday, July 1 |
| » Defeated Expos (34-38), 6-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (21-20) | 35-39 | Won 4 |
| » Starters: Bill Stoneman vs Luke Walker | Third | 9 out |
| » Defeated Expos (34-39), 8-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (22-20) | 36-39 | Won 5 |
| » Starters: Mike Torrez vs Jim Rooker | Third | 9 out |
| Tuesday, July 3 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (39-38), 4-0 | Busch Stadium II (2-1) | 36-40 | |
| » Starters: Dock Ellis vs Rick Wise | Fifth | 9½ out |
| » Lost to Cardinals (40-38), 7-6 | Busch Stadium II (2-2) | 36-41 | Lost 2 |
| » Starters: Steve Blass vs Rich Folkers | Fifth | 9½ out |
| Wednesday, July 4 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (41-38), 11-3 | Busch Stadium II (2-3) | 36-42 | Lost 3 |
| » Starters: Bob Moose vs Tom Murphy | Fifth | 10½ out |
| Former Pirate Walter Schmidt dies in Modesto, CA at the age of 87. |
| Thursday, July 5 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (41-39), 3-2 | Busch Stadium II (3-3) | 37-42 | |
| » Starters: Nelson Briles vs Alan Foster | Fifth | 9½ out |
| Friday, July 6 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (52-33), 3-2 | Dodger Stadium (1-3) | 37-43 | |
| » Starters: Luke Walker vs Don Sutton | Fifth | 10½ out |
| Saturday, July 7 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (53-33), 8-6 | Dodger Stadium (1-4) | 37-44 | Lost 2 |
| » Starters: Jim Rooker vs Andy Messersmith | Fifth | 10½ out |
| Sunday, July 8 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (54-33), 3-2 | Dodger Stadium (1-5) | 37-45 | Lost 3 |
| » Starters: Dock Ellis vs Tommy John | Fifth | 10½ out |
| Tuesday, July 10 |
| » Defeated Padres (31-55), 4-3 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (2-2) | 38-45 | |
| » Starters: Bob Moose vs Rich Troedson | Fourth | 10½ out |
| Wednesday, July 11 |
| » Defeated Padres (31-56), 10-2 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (3-2) | 39-45 | Won 2 |
| » Starters: Nelson Briles vs Steve Arlin | Fourth | 9½ out |
| Thursday, July 12 |
| » Defeated Padres (31-57), 4-0 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (4-2) | 40-45 | Won 3 |
| » Starters: Luke Walker vs Clay Kirby | Fourth | 9 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Dave Parker (Pirates) |
| Friday, July 13 |
| » Lost to Giants (51-40), 5-2 | Candlestick Park (2-2) | 40-46 | |
| » Starters: Dock Ellis vs Tom Bradley | Fourth | 9 out |
| Saturday, July 14 |
| » Defeated Giants (51-41), 7-2 | Candlestick Park (3-2) | 41-46 | |
| » Starters: Jim Rooker vs Ron Bryant | Fourth | 8 out |
| Sunday, July 15 |
| » Lost to Giants (52-41), 12-0 | Candlestick Park (3-3) | 41-47 | |
| » Starters: Bob Moose vs Juan Marichal | Fourth | 8 out |
| Monday, July 16 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (60-34), 1-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (22-21) | 41-48 | Lost 2 |
| » Starters: Don Sutton vs Nelson Briles | Fourth | 8½ out |
| Tuesday, July 17 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (61-34), 8-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (22-22) | 41-49 | Lost 3 |
| » Starters: Andy Messersmith vs Luke Walker | Fifth | 8½ out |
| Wednesday, July 18 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (61-35), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (23-22) | 42-49 | |
| » Starters: Tommy John vs Dock Ellis | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Friday, July 20 |
| » Defeated Padres (33-62), 5-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (24-22) | 43-49 | Won 2 |
| » Starters: Randy Jones vs John Morlan | Third | 6½ out |
| » Defeated Padres (33-63), 7-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (25-22) | 44-49 | Won 3 |
| » Starters: Rich Troedson vs Jim Rooker | Third | 6½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: John Morlan (Pirates) |
| Sunday, July 22 |
| » Defeated Padres (33-64), 3-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (26-22) | 45-49 | Won 4 |
| » Starters: Steve Arlin vs Nelson Briles | Third | 4½ out |
| » Defeated Padres (33-65), 13-7 | Three Rivers Stadium (27-22) | 46-49 | Won 5 |
| » Starters: Clay Kirby vs Luke Walker | Third | 4½ out |
| Thursday, July 26 |
| » Defeated Cubs (52-47), 3-2 | Wrigley Field (2-2) | 47-49 | Won 6 |
| » Starters: Dock Ellis vs Rick Reuschel | Third | 5 out |
| Friday, July 27 |
| » Defeated Cubs (52-48), 10-6 | Wrigley Field (3-2) | 48-49 | Won 7 |
| » Starters: Nelson Briles vs Larry Gura | Third | 4 out |
| Future Pirate Enrique Wilson is born in Santo Domingo, D.R. |
| Saturday, July 28 |
| » Lost to Phillies (47-54), 5-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (27-23) | 48-50 | |
| » Starters: Wayne Twitchell vs Jim Rooker | Third | 5 out |
| Sunday, July 29 |
| » Defeated Phillies (47-55), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (28-23) | 49-50 | |
| » Starters: Dick Ruthven vs John Morlan | Third | 4 out |
| » Defeated Phillies (47-56), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (29-23) | 50-50 | Won 2 |
| » Starters: Barry Lersch vs Luke Walker | Third | 4 out |
| Monday, July 30 |
| » Lost to Phillies (48-56), 1-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (29-24) | 50-51 | |
| » Starters: Steve Carlton vs Bob Moose | Third | 4 out |
| Tuesday, July 31 |
| » Defeated Mets (44-57), 4-1 | Shea Stadium (2-1) | 51-51 | |
| » Starters: Dock Ellis vs Jerry Koosman | Third | 4 out |
| Wednesday, August 1 |
| » Lost to Mets (45-57), 3-0 | Shea Stadium (2-2) | 51-52 | |
| » Starters: Nelson Briles vs Tom Seaver | Third | 6 out |
| » Lost to Mets (46-57), 5-2 | Shea Stadium (2-3) | 51-53 | Lost 2 |
| » Starters: Steve Blass vs George Stone | Third | 6 out |
| Thursday, August 2 |
| » Lost to Mets (47-57), 5-1 | Shea Stadium (2-4) | 51-54 | Lost 3 |
| » Starters: Jim Rooker vs Ray Sadecki | Third | 6 out |
| Friday, August 3 |
| » Defeated Phillies (51-58), 3-1 | Veteran's Stadium (2-1) | 52-54 | |
| » Starters: John Morlan vs Steve Carlton | Third | 5 out |
| Saturday, August 4 |
| » Lost to Phillies (52-58), 11-5 | Veteran's Stadium (2-2) | 52-55 | |
| » Starters: Luke Walker vs Ken Brett | Third | 5½ out |
| » Defeated Phillies (52-59), 11-4 | Veteran's Stadium (3-2) | 53-55 | |
| » Starters: Bob Moose vs Jim Lonborg | Third | 5½ out |
| Sunday, August 5 |
| » Defeated Phillies (52-60), 4-1 | Veteran's Stadium (4-2) | 54-55 | Won 2 |
| » Starters: Dock Ellis vs Wayne Twitchell | Third | 6 out |
| Tuesday, August 7 |
| » Lost to Astros (59-57), 2-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (29-25) | 54-56 | |
| » Starters: Don Wilson vs Nelson Briles | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Former Pirate Wilbur Cooper dies in Encino, CA at the age of 82. |
| Wednesday, August 8 |
| » Defeated Astros (59-58), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-25) | 55-56 | |
| » Starters: Dave Roberts vs Jim Rooker | Second | 4½ out |
| Friday, August 10 |
| » Lost to Braves (55-64), 5-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-26) | 55-57 | |
| » Starters: Phil Niekro vs Dock Ellis | Second | 4 out |
| Saturday, August 11 |
| » Lost to Braves (56-64), 9-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-27) | 55-58 | Lost 2 |
| » Starters: Roric Harrison vs John Morlan | Third | 4 out |
| Sunday, August 12 |
| » Defeated Braves (56-65), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (31-27) | 56-58 | |
| » Starters: Ron Schueler vs Bob Moose | Second | 3 out |
| Monday, August 13 |
| » Defeated Reds (72-48), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (32-27) | 57-58 | Won 2 |
| » Starters: Fred Norman vs Nelson Briles | Second | 2 out |
| Tuesday, August 14 |
| » Lost to Reds (73-48), 5-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (32-28) | 57-59 | |
| » Starters: Ross Grimsley vs Jim Rooker | Second | 3 out |
| Former Pirate Claude Willoughby dies in McPherson, KS at the age of 75. |
| Wednesday, August 15 |
| » Lost to Reds (74-48), 1-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (32-29) | 57-60 | Lost 2 |
| » Starters: Jack Billingham vs Dock Ellis | Second | 3 out |
| Friday, August 17 |
| » Lost to Giants (67-53), 5-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (32-30) | 57-61 | Lost 3 |
| » Starters: Ron Bryant vs Bob Moose | Second | 3 out |
| Saturday, August 18 |
| » Defeated Giants (67-54), 6-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (33-30) | 58-61 | |
| » Starters: Jim Barr vs Nelson Briles | Second | 2 out |
| Sunday, August 19 |
| » Defeated Giants (67-55), 5-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (34-30) | 59-61 | Won 2 |
| » Starters: Juan Marichal vs Jim Rooker | Second | 2 out |
| Monday, August 20 |
| » Lost to Astros (66-61), 10-2 | Astrodome (1-3) | 59-62 | |
| » Starters: Dock Ellis vs J.R. Richard | Second | 2½ out |
| Tuesday, August 21 |
| » Defeated Astros (66-62), 6-3 | Astrodome (2-3) | 60-62 | |
| » Starters: John Morlan vs Don Wilson | Second | 1½ out |
| Future Pirate Lou Collier is born in Chicago, IL. |
| Wednesday, August 22 |
| » Defeated Astros (66-63), 4-0 | Astrodome (3-3) | 61-62 | Won 2 |
| » Starters: Bob Moose vs Tom Griffin | Second | 1½ out |
| Former Pirate George Cutshaw dies in San Diego, CA at the age of 87. |
| Friday, August 24 |
| » Lost to Braves (62-68), 3-2 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (0-4) | 61-63 | |
| » Starters: Nelson Briles vs Carl Morton | Second | 2½ out |
| Saturday, August 25 |
| » Defeated Braves (62-69), 6-5 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (1-4) | 62-63 | |
| » Starters: Jim Rooker vs Phil Niekro | Second | 1½ out |
| Sunday, August 26 |
| » Lost to Braves (63-69), 8-6 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (1-5) | 62-64 | |
| » Starters: Dock Ellis vs Roric Harrison | Second | 1½ out |
| Tuesday, August 28 |
| » Defeated Reds (78-55), 8-3 | Riverfront Stadium (2-3) | 63-64 | |
| » Starters: Bob Moose vs Ross Grimsley | Second | 2 out |
| Wednesday, August 29 |
| » Lost to Reds (79-55), 5-3 | Riverfront Stadium (2-4) | 63-65 | |
| » Starters: Nelson Briles vs Jack Billingham | Second | 2 out |
| Friday, August 31 |
| » Defeated Cubs (64-68), 7-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (35-30) | 64-65 | |
| » Starters: Rick Reuschel vs Jim Rooker | Second | 2 out |
| » Defeated Cubs (64-69), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (36-30) | 65-65 | Won 2 |
| » Starters: Fergie Jenkins vs John Morlan | Second | 2 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Tom Lundstedt (Cubs) |
| Saturday, September 1 |
| » Defeated Cubs (64-70), 1-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (37-30) | 66-65 | Won 3 |
| » Starters: Burt Hooton vs Bruce Kison | Second | 2 out |
| Sunday, September 2 |
| » Lost to Cubs (65-70), 5-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (37-31) | 66-66 | |
| » Starters: Bill Bonham vs Bob Moose | Second | 2 out |
| Monday, September 3 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (69-68), 5-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (38-31) | 67-66 | |
| » Starters: Reggie Cleveland vs Nelson Briles | Second | 2 out |
| » Lost to Cardinals (70-68), 8-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (38-32) | 67-67 | |
| » Starters: Rich Folkers vs Luke Walker | Second | 2 out |
| Tuesday, September 4 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (71-68), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (38-33) | 67-68 | Lost 2 |
| » Starters: Mike Nagy vs Jim Rooker | Second | 2 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Tommy Cruz (Cardinals) |
| Wednesday, September 5 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (72-68), 5-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (38-34) | 67-69 | Lost 3 |
| » Starters: Alan Foster vs John Morlan | Second | 3 out |
| Friday, September 7 |
| » Defeated Phillies (63-78), 10-8 | Veteran's Stadium (5-2) | 68-69 | |
| » Manager: Danny Murtaugh |
| » Starters: Bruce Kison vs Ken Brett | Second | 2 out |
| Saturday, September 8 |
| » Defeated Phillies (63-79), 5-3 | Veteran's Stadium (6-2) | 69-69 | Won 2 |
| » Starters: Bob Moose vs Steve Carlton | Second | 2 out |
| Sunday, September 9 |
| » Lost to Phillies (64-79), 8-7 | Veteran's Stadium (6-3) | 69-70 | |
| » Starters: Nelson Briles vs Dick Ruthven | Second | 2 out |
| Monday, September 10 |
| » Defeated Cubs (68-74), 11-3 | Wrigley Field (4-2) | 70-70 | |
| » Starters: Jim Rooker vs Rick Reuschel | Second | 1½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Phil Garner (Pirates) |
| Tuesday, September 11 |
| » Lost to Cubs (69-74), 2-0 | Wrigley Field (4-3) | 70-71 | |
| » Starters: Steve Blass vs Burt Hooton | Second | 1½ out |
| Wednesday, September 12 |
| » Defeated Cubs (69-75), 4-2 | Wrigley Field (5-3) | 71-71 | |
| » Starters: Bruce Kison vs Mike Paul | First | -- |
| Thursday, September 13 |
| » Defeated Cubs (69-76), 6-1 | Wrigley Field (6-3) | 72-71 | Won 2 |
| » Starters: Bob Moose vs Milt Pappas | First | -- |
| Friday, September 14 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (72-74), 3-1 | Busch Stadium II (4-3) | 73-71 | Won 3 |
| » Starters: Nelson Briles vs Reggie Cleveland | First | -- |
| Saturday, September 15 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (72-75), 7-4 | Busch Stadium II (5-3) | 74-71 | Won 4 |
| » Starters: Jim Rooker vs Mike Nagy | First | -- |
| Sunday, September 16 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (73-75), 7-3 | Busch Stadium II (5-4) | 74-72 | |
| » Starters: Steve Blass vs Alan Foster | First | -- |
| Monday, September 17 |
| » Defeated Mets (73-77), 10-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (39-34) | 75-72 | |
| » Starters: Tom Seaver vs Bruce Kison | First | -- |
| Tuesday, September 18 |
| » Lost to Mets (74-77), 6-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (39-35) | 75-73 | |
| » Starters: Jon Matlack vs Bob Moose | First | -- |
| » Major-league debuts: Bob Apodaca (Mets) |
| Wednesday, September 19 |
| » Lost to Mets (75-77), 7-3 | Shea Stadium (2-5) | 75-74 | Lost 2 |
| » Starters: Nelson Briles vs George Stone | First | -- |
| Thursday, September 20 |
| » Lost to Mets (76-77), 4-3 | Shea Stadium (2-6) | 75-75 | Lost 3 |
| » Starters: Jim Rooker vs Jerry Koosman | First | -- |
| Friday, September 21 |
| » Lost to Mets (77-77), 10-2 | Shea Stadium (2-7) | 75-76 | Lost 4 |
| » Starters: Steve Blass vs Tom Seaver | Second | 1½ out |
| Sunday, September 23 |
| » Defeated Expos (75-79), 6-3 | Parc Jarry (4-2) | 76-76 | |
| » Starters: Bruce Kison vs Bill Stoneman | Second | 1½ out |
| » Defeated Expos (75-80), 7-4 | Parc Jarry (5-2) | 77-76 | Won 2 |
| » Starters: Dock Ellis vs Mike Torrez | Second | 1½ out |
| Monday, September 24 |
| » Lost to Expos (76-80), 5-4 | Parc Jarry (5-3) | 77-77 | |
| » Starters: Bob Moose vs Steve Renko | Second | ½ out |
| » Defeated Expos (76-81), 3-0 | Parc Jarry (6-3) | 78-77 | |
| » Starters: Nelson Briles vs Ernie McAnally | Second | ½ out |
| Tuesday, September 25 |
| » Lost to Phillies (70-87), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (39-36) | |
