| Wednesday, January 4 |
| Former Pirate Joe Dawson dies in Longview, TX at the age of 81. |
| Wednesday, February 1 |
| Former Pirate Jack Saltzgaver dies in Keokuk, IA at the age of 76. |
| Friday, February 3 |
| Former Pirate Pete Compton dies in Kansas City, MO at the age of 89. |
| Saturday, February 18 |
| Former Pirate Luke Hamlin dies in Clare, MI at the age of 74. |
| Sunday, March 12 |
| Former Pirate Alex McCarthy dies in Salisbury, MD at the age of 90. |
| Thursday, March 30 |
| Former Pirate Billy Cox dies in Harrisburg, PA at the age of 59. |
| Sunday, April 2 |
| Former Pirate Bill Brubaker dies in Laguna Hills, CA at the age of 68. |
| Wednesday, April 5 |
| » Major-league debuts: Hosken Powell (Twins) |
| Friday, April 7 |
| » Defeated Cubs (0-1), 1-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (1-0) | 1-0 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (1-0) L: Rick Reuschel (0-1) | First | -- |
| Saturday, April 8 |
| » Defeated Cubs (0-2), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-0) | 2-0 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jim Bibby (1-0) L: Bruce Sutter (0-1) | First | -- |
| Sunday, April 9 |
| » Lost to Cubs (1-2), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-1) | 2-1 | |
| » W: Donnie Moore (1-0) L: Bruce Kison (0-1) S: Bruce Sutter (1) | Second | ½ out |
| Monday, April 10 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (2-2), 11-2 | Busch Stadium II (0-1) | 2-2 | Lost 2 |
| » W: John Denny (1-0) L: Jim Rooker (0-1) | Third | 1½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Don Robinson (Pirates) |
| Wednesday, April 12 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (3-2), 5-1 | Busch Stadium II (0-2) | 2-3 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Bob Forsch (2-0) L: John Candelaria (1-1) | Fifth | 1 out |
| Thursday, April 13 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (4-2), 6-5 | Busch Stadium II (0-3) | 2-4 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Eric Rasmussen (1-1) L: Bert Blyleven (0-1) | Sixth | 2 out |
| Friday, April 14 |
| » Lost to Cubs (4-3), 5-4 | Wrigley Field (0-1) | 2-5 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Willie Hernandez (1-0) L: Jim Bibby (1-1) | Fifth | 2½ out |
| Saturday, April 15 |
| » Defeated Cubs (4-4), 13-10 | Wrigley Field (1-1) | 3-5 | |
| » W: Jim Rooker (1-1) L: Dennis Lamp (0-2) | Fifth | 2 out |
| Sunday, April 16 |
| » Lost to Cubs (5-4), 5-1 | Wrigley Field (1-2) | 3-6 | |
| » W: Rick Reuschel (2-1) L: Don Robinson (0-1) | Fifth | 2 out |
| Monday, April 17 |
| » Lost to Phillies (5-3), 6-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (2-2) | 3-7 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Jim Lonborg (1-1) L: John Candelaria (1-2) | Sixth | 3 out |
| Saturday, April 22 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (5-8), 8-7 | Three Rivers Stadium (3-2) | 4-7 | |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (1-0) L: John Urrea (0-2) | Sixth | 3 out |
| Sunday, April 23 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (5-9), 14-7 | Three Rivers Stadium (4-2) | 5-7 | Won 2 |
| » W: Bruce Kison (1-1) L: Bob Forsch (3-1) | Fourth | 2 out |
| » Defeated Cardinals (5-10), 5-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (5-2) | 6-7 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jim Bibby (2-1) L: Pete Vuckovich (0-3) S: Don Robinson (1) | Fourth | 2 out |
| Monday, April 24 |
| » Defeated Mets (9-8), 4-2 | Shea Stadium (1-0) | 7-7 | Won 4 |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (2-0) L: Mardie Cornejo (3-1) | Fifth | 2 out |
| Tuesday, April 25 |
| » Defeated Mets (9-9), 2-1 | Shea Stadium (2-0) | 8-7 | Won 5 |
| » W: Don Robinson (1-1) L: Mike Bruhert (1-2) | Third | 1 out |
| Wednesday, April 26 |
| » Defeated Mets (9-10), 1-0 | Shea Stadium (3-0) | 9-7 | Won 6 |
| » W: Bert Blyleven (1-1) L: Bob Myrick (0-2) | First | -- |
| Friday, April 28 |
| » Lost to Giants (9-9), 5-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (5-3) | 9-8 | |
| » W: John Montefusco (1-1) L: John Candelaria (1-3) S: Gary Lavelle (2) | Fourth | 1 out |
| Saturday, April 29 |
| » Defeated Giants (9-10), 6-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (6-3) | 10-8 | |
| » W: Don Robinson (2-1) L: Jim Barr (1-3) | Second | 1 out |
| Sunday, April 30 |
| » Lost to Giants (10-10), 7-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (6-4) | 10-9 | |
| » W: Bob Knepper (3-1) L: Bert Blyleven (1-2) | Fourth | 1 out |
| Monday, May 1 |
| » Defeated Padres (7-13), 7-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (7-4) | 11-9 | |
| » W: Jim Bibby (3-1) L: Rollie Fingers (1-4) | Third | 1 out |
| Tuesday, May 2 |
| » Lost to Padres (8-13), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (7-5) | 11-10 | |
| » W: Bob Owchinko (2-2) L: John Candelaria (1-4) | Fourth | 1½ out |
| Wednesday, May 3 |
| » Lost to Padres (9-13), 7-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (7-6) | 11-11 | Lost 2 |
| » W: John D'Acquisto (1-0) L: Jim Bibby (3-2) S: Rollie Fingers (5) | Fourth | 2 out |
| Friday, May 5 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (16-8), 7-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (7-7) | 11-12 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Burt Hooton (2-3) L: Bert Blyleven (1-3) | Fourth | 3 out |
| Saturday, May 6 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (16-9), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (8-7) | 12-12 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (2-4) L: Don Sutton (2-3) S: Grant Jackson (1) | Third | 2½ out |
| Sunday, May 7 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (16-10), 6-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (9-7) | 13-12 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jim Rooker (2-1) L: Tommy John (4-1) S: Kent Tekulve (1) | Third | 2½ out |
| Tuesday, May 9 |
| » Lost to Giants (15-11), 3-2 | Candlestick Park (0-1) | 13-13 | |
| » W: John Curtis (1-1) L: Kent Tekulve (2-1) | Third | 2½ out |
| Wednesday, May 10 |
| » Defeated Giants (15-12), 5-1 | Candlestick Park (1-1) | 14-13 | |
| » W: Bert Blyleven (2-3) L: Jim Barr (2-4) | Third | 2½ out |
| Thursday, May 11 |
| » Lost to Giants (16-12), 6-2 | Candlestick Park (1-2) | 14-14 | |
| » W: Bob Knepper (4-1) L: John Candelaria (2-5) | Third | 3½ out |
| Friday, May 12 |
| » Lost to Padres (12-17), 6-4 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (0-1) | 14-15 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Mark Lee (1-1) L: Kent Tekulve (2-2) S: Rollie Fingers (7) | Fourth | 3½ out |
| Saturday, May 13 |
| » Lost to Padres (13-17), 6-5 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (0-2) | 14-16 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Dan Spillner (1-0) L: Bruce Kison (1-2) S: Rollie Fingers (8) | Fourth | 3½ out |
| Sunday, May 14 |
| » Defeated Padres (13-18), 1-0 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (1-2) | 15-16 | |
| » W: Don Robinson (3-1) L: Randy Jones (3-3) | Fourth | 3½ out |
| Monday, May 15 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (19-14), 7-6 | Dodger Stadium (0-1) | 15-17 | |
| » W: Charlie Hough (1-0) L: Bert Blyleven (2-4) | Fourth | 3½ out |
| Tuesday, May 16 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (20-14), 3-2 | Dodger Stadium (0-2) | 15-18 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Don Sutton (3-4) L: John Candelaria (2-6) S: Terry Forster (6) | Fourth | 3½ out |
| Former Pirate Mike Wilson dies in Boynton Beach, FL at the age of 82. |
| Wednesday, May 17 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (21-14), 10-1 | Dodger Stadium (0-3) | 15-19 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Tommy John (6-1) L: Jim Rooker (2-2) | Fourth | 3½ out |
| Friday, May 19 |
| » Defeated Expos (18-17), 5-3 | Stade Olympique (1-0) | 16-19 | |
| » W: Don Robinson (4-1) L: Rudy May (2-5) S: Kent Tekulve (2) | Fourth | 3 out |
| Saturday, May 20 |
| » Defeated Expos (18-18), 6-0 | Stade Olympique (2-0) | 17-19 | Won 2 |
| » W: Bert Blyleven (3-4) L: Wayne Twitchell (2-4) | Fourth | 3 out |
| Sunday, May 21 |
| » Defeated Expos (18-19), 7-0 | Stade Olympique (3-0) | 18-19 | Won 3 |
| » W: John Candelaria (3-6) L: Ross Grimsley (6-2) S: Kent Tekulve (3) | Third | 2 out |
| Monday, May 22 |
| » Lost to Expos (19-19), 5-2 | Stade Olympique (3-1) | 18-20 | |
| » W: Steve Rogers (5-4) L: Jim Rooker (2-3) S: Darold Knowles (2) | Fourth | 2½ out |
| Tuesday, May 23 |
| » Lost to Mets (19-22), 7-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (9-8) | 18-21 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Nino Espinosa (4-2) L: Grant Jackson (0-1) S: Skip Lockwood (7) | Fifth | 3 out |
| Wednesday, May 24 |
| » Defeated Mets (19-23), 6-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (10-8) | 19-21 | |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (3-2) L: Skip Lockwood (4-4) | Fourth | 2½ out |
| Thursday, May 25 |
| » Lost to Mets (20-23), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (10-9) | 19-22 | |
| » W: Dale Murray (2-2) L: Kent Tekulve (3-3) | Fifth | 3½ out |
| Friday, May 26 |
| » Defeated Expos (21-21), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (11-9) | 20-22 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (4-6) L: Steve Rogers (5-5) S: Kent Tekulve (4) | Fourth | 3½ out |
| Saturday, May 27 |
| » Lost to Expos (22-21), 15-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (11-10) | 20-23 | |
| » W: Rudy May (4-5) L: Jim Rooker (2-4) | Fifth | 4½ out |
| Sunday, May 28 |
| » Defeated Expos (22-22), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (12-10) | 21-23 | |
| » W: Jim Bibby (4-2) L: Hal Dues (0-3) | Fifth | 4½ out |
| Monday, May 29 |
| » Lost to Phillies (21-20), 4-3 | Veteran's Stadium (0-1) | 21-24 | |
| » W: Warren Brusstar (1-0) L: Dave Hamilton (0-1) | Fifth | 4½ out |
| Tuesday, May 30 |
| » Lost to Phillies (22-20), 6-1 | Veteran's Stadium (0-2) | 21-25 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Steve Carlton (5-5) L: Bert Blyleven (3-5) | Fifth | 4½ out |
| Wednesday, May 31 |
| » Defeated Phillies (22-21), 2-1 | Veteran's Stadium (1-2) | 22-25 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (5-6) L: Randy Lerch (3-5) S: Kent Tekulve (5) | Fourth | 3½ out |
| Friday, June 2 |
| » Lost to Reds (31-19), 3-2 | Riverfront Stadium (0-1) | 22-26 | |
| » W: Dave Tomlin (4-1) L: Jim Rooker (2-5) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Saturday, June 3 |
| » Lost to Reds (32-19), 4-3 | Riverfront Stadium (0-2) | 22-27 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Fred Norman (6-2) L: Don Robinson (4-2) S: Manny Sarmiento (2) | Fifth | 5½ out |
| Former Pirate Marv Rickert dies in Oakville, WA at the age of 58. |
| Sunday, June 4 |
| » Defeated Reds (32-20), 4-1 | Riverfront Stadium (1-2) | 23-27 | |
| » W: Bert Blyleven (4-5) L: Paul Moskau (0-2) S: Grant Jackson (2) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Monday, June 5 |
| » Lost to Braves (19-30), 8-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (12-11) | 23-28 | |
| » W: Jamie Easterly (2-4) L: Kent Tekulve (3-4) | Fifth | 6½ out |
| Tuesday, June 6 |
| » Defeated Braves (19-31), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (13-11) | 24-28 | |
| » W: Jim Bibby (5-2) L: Adrian Devine (2-3) S: Kent Tekulve (6) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Friday, June 9 |
| » Defeated Reds (34-23), 11-9 | Three Rivers Stadium (14-11) | 25-28 | Won 2 |
| » W: Grant Jackson (1-1) L: Doug Bair (1-2) S: John Candelaria (1) | Fifth | 6½ out |
| Saturday, June 10 |
| » Lost to Reds (35-23), 6-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (14-12) | 25-29 | |
| » W: Tom Seaver (7-4) L: Grant Jackson (1-2) | Fifth | 6½ out |
| Future Pirate Carlos Rivera is born in Fajardo, P.R. |
| Sunday, June 11 |
| » Defeated Reds (35-24), 3-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (15-12) | 26-29 | |
| » W: Grant Jackson (2-2) L: Manny Sarmiento (5-3) S: Ed Whitson (1) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Monday, June 12 |
| » Lost to Astros (25-30), 6-5 | Astrodome (0-1) | 26-30 | |
| » W: Rick Williams (1-0) L: Ed Whitson (0-1) S: Joe Sambito (3) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Rick Williams (Astros) |
| Tuesday, June 13 |
| » Lost to Astros (26-30), 2-1 | Astrodome (0-2) | 26-31 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Ken Forsch (2-2) L: Jim Bibby (5-3) S: Joe Sambito (4) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Wednesday, June 14 |
| » Defeated Astros (26-31), 6-4 | Astrodome (1-2) | 27-31 | |
| » W: Ed Whitson (1-1) L: J.R. Richard (5-7) S: Kent Tekulve (7) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Friday, June 16 |
| » Defeated Braves (24-35), 9-4 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (1-0) | 28-31 | Won 2 |
| » W: Bert Blyleven (5-5) L: Phil Niekro (7-7) S: Ed Whitson (2) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Bob Horner (Braves) |
| Saturday, June 17 |
| » Defeated Braves (24-36), 5-3 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (2-0) | 29-31 | Won 3 |
| » W: John Candelaria (6-6) L: Mickey Mahler (1-3) S: Grant Jackson (3) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Sunday, June 18 |
| » Lost to Braves (25-36), 8-7 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (2-1) | 29-32 | |
| » W: Preston Hanna (6-1) L: Jim Bibby (5-4) S: Craig Skok (1) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Monday, June 19 |
| » Lost to Cubs (35-26), 6-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (15-13) | 29-33 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Bruce Sutter (5-2) L: Grant Jackson (2-3) S: Willie Hernandez (1) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Tuesday, June 20 |
| » Defeated Cubs (35-27), 6-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (16-13) | 30-33 | |
| » W: Bert Blyleven (6-5) L: Ken Holtzman (1-1) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Wednesday, June 21 |
| » Defeated Cubs (35-28), 2-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (17-13) | 31-33 | Won 2 |
| » W: John Candelaria (7-6) L: Ray Burris (4-5) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Friday, June 23 |
| » Lost to Mets (31-40), 3-2 | Shea Stadium (3-1) | 31-34 | |
| » W: Dale Murray (3-3) L: Ed Whitson (1-2) | Fourth | 4 out |
| Saturday, June 24 |
| » Defeated Mets (31-41), 7-4 | Shea Stadium (4-1) | 32-34 | |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (4-4) L: Paul Siebert (0-1) S: Dave Hamilton (1) | Fourth | 4 out |
| Sunday, June 25 |
| » Defeated Mets (31-42), 4-0 | Shea Stadium (5-1) | 33-34 | Won 2 |
| » W: Bert Blyleven (7-5) L: Nino Espinosa (6-7) | Fourth | 4 out |
| Future Pirate Aramis Ramirez is born in Santo Domingo, D.R. |
| Monday, June 26 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (26-47), 11-8 | Three Rivers Stadium (18-13) | 34-34 | Won 3 |
| » W: Ed Whitson (2-2) L: John Urrea (2-8) S: Kent Tekulve (8) | Fourth | 3 out |
| Tuesday, June 27 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (27-47), 2-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (18-14) | 34-35 | |
| » W: Pete Vuckovich (5-5) L: John Candelaria (7-7) S: Buddy Schultz (3) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| » Lost to Cardinals (28-47), 6-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (18-15) | 34-36 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Pete Falcone (1-5) L: Jerry Reuss (0-1) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Wednesday, June 28 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (29-47), 7-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (18-16) | 34-37 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Roy Thomas (1-0) L: Kent Tekulve (4-5) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Thursday, June 29 |
| » Defeated Mets (32-45), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (19-16) | 35-37 | |
| » W: Grant Jackson (3-3) L: Skip Lockwood (7-6) S: Ed Whitson (3) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Dwight Bernard (Mets) |
| Friday, June 30 |
| » Lost to Mets (33-45), 6-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (19-17) | 35-38 | |
| » W: Dale Murray (4-3) L: Dave Hamilton (0-2) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Saturday, July 1 |
| » Defeated Mets (33-46), 1-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (20-17) | 36-38 | |
| » W: Jim Rooker (3-5) L: Skip Lockwood (7-7) S: Kent Tekulve (9) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Monday, July 3 |
| » Lost to Expos (39-40), 2-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (20-18) | 36-39 | |
| » W: Hal Dues (2-4) L: John Candelaria (7-8) S: Steve Rogers (1) | Fourth | 7 out |
| Tuesday, July 4 |
| » Defeated Expos (39-41), 3-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (21-18) | 37-39 | |
| » W: Bert Blyleven (8-5) L: Dan Schatzeder (2-1) S: Kent Tekulve (10) | Third | 6 out |
| » Defeated Expos (39-42), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (22-18) | 38-39 | Won 2 |
| » W: Don Robinson (5-2) L: Wayne Twitchell (3-7) S: Kent Tekulve (11) | Third | 6 out |
| Thursday, July 6 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (33-51), 3-2 | Busch Stadium II (0-4) | 38-40 | |
| » W: John Denny (7-6) L: Jim Rooker (3-6) | Third | 7½ out |
| Friday, July 7 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (33-52), 2-1 | Busch Stadium II (1-4) | 39-40 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (8-8) L: Pete Vuckovich (6-6) S: Kent Tekulve (12) | Third | 6½ out |
| Saturday, July 8 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (34-52), 4-0 | Busch Stadium II (1-5) | 39-41 | |
| » W: Silvio Martinez (3-3) L: Don Robinson (5-3) | Third | 7 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Steve Nicosia (Pirates) |
| Sunday, July 9 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (34-53), 6-1 | Busch Stadium II (2-5) | 40-41 | |
| » W: Bert Blyleven (9-5) L: Bob Forsch (9-8) S: Kent Tekulve (13) | Third | 7 out |
| Thursday, July 13 |
| » Lost to Giants (53-34), 4-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (22-19) | 40-42 | |
| » W: Bob Knepper (11-5) L: John Candelaria (8-9) | Third | 7½ out |
| Friday, July 14 |
| » Defeated Giants (53-35), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (23-19) | 41-42 | |
| » W: Jim Rooker (4-6) L: John Montefusco (7-4) S: Kent Tekulve (14) | Third | 6½ out |
| Saturday, July 15 |
| » Lost to Giants (54-35), 6-5 | Three Rivers Stadium (23-20) | 41-43 | |
| » W: Gary Lavelle (7-7) L: Ed Whitson (2-3) | Third | 6½ out |
| Sunday, July 16 |
| » Defeated Padres (44-47), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (24-20) | 42-43 | |
| » W: Ed Whitson (3-3) L: Rollie Fingers (4-9) | Third | 6 out |
| » Defeated Padres (44-48), 10-6 | Three Rivers Stadium (25-20) | 43-43 | Won 2 |
| » W: Grant Jackson (4-3) L: Dennis Kinney (0-3) S: Kent Tekulve (15) | Third | 6 out |
| Monday, July 17 |
| » Defeated Padres (44-49), 8-7 | Three Rivers Stadium (26-20) | 44-43 | Won 3 |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (5-5) L: Rollie Fingers (4-10) | Third | 5 out |
| Tuesday, July 18 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (54-39), 7-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (26-21) | 44-44 | |
| » W: Don Sutton (10-8) L: Don Robinson (5-4) | Third | 5 out |
| Wednesday, July 19 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (54-40), 6-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (27-21) | 45-44 | |
| » W: Jim Rooker (5-6) L: Doug Rau (10-5) S: Kent Tekulve (16) | Third | 4 out |
| Thursday, July 20 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (54-41), 7-6 | Three Rivers Stadium (28-21) | 46-44 | Won 2 |
| » W: Bruce Kison (2-2) L: Terry Forster (2-3) | Third | 4 out |
| Friday, July 21 |
| » Defeated Giants (58-39), 3-0 | Candlestick Park (2-2) | 47-44 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jim Bibby (6-4) L: Bob Knepper (11-6) | Third | 4½ out |
| Saturday, July 22 |
| » Lost to Giants (59-39), 3-2 | Candlestick Park (2-3) | 47-45 | |
| » W: John Curtis (3-1) L: Kent Tekulve (5-6) | Third | 5½ out |
| Sunday, July 23 |
| » Lost to Giants (60-39), 3-1 | Candlestick Park (2-4) | 47-46 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Jim Barr (5-8) L: John Candelaria (8-10) | Third | 6½ out |
| Tuesday, July 25 |
| » Lost to Padres (48-52), 2-1 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (1-3) | 47-47 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Bob Owchinko (6-7) L: Jim Rooker (5-7) | Third | 6 out |
| Wednesday, July 26 |
| » Lost to Padres (49-52), 6-5 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (1-4) | 47-48 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Gaylord Perry (11-4) L: Bruce Kison (2-3) S: Rollie Fingers (21) | Third | 6 out |
| Thursday, July 27 |
| » Lost to Padres (50-52), 6-3 | San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium (1-5) | 47-49 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Bob Shirley (6-11) L: Ed Whitson (3-4) S: Rollie Fingers (22) | Third | 6½ out |
| Friday, July 28 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (60-42), 7-3 | Dodger Stadium (0-4) | 47-50 | Lost 6 |
| » W: Tommy John (12-7) L: John Candelaria (8-11) S: Terry Forster (14) | Third | 7 out |
| Saturday, July 29 |
| » Lost to Dodgers (61-42), 2-1 | Dodger Stadium (0-5) | 47-51 | Lost 7 |
| » W: Don Sutton (11-9) L: Don Robinson (5-5) | Third | 7 out |
| Sunday, July 30 |
| » Defeated Dodgers (61-43), 5-3 | Dodger Stadium (1-5) | 48-51 | |
| » W: Jim Rooker (6-7) L: Doug Rau (10-6) S: Kent Tekulve (17) | Third | 6 out |
| Monday, July 31 |
| » Lost to Expos (50-57), 3-2 | Stade Olympique (3-2) | 48-52 | |
| » W: Mike Garman (2-4) L: Bert Blyleven (9-6) | Third | 7 out |
| Tuesday, August 1 |
| » Lost to Expos (51-57), 4-3 | Stade Olympique (3-3) | 48-53 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Steve Rogers (12-7) L: Jim Bibby (6-5) S: Darold Knowles (4) | Third | 7 out |
| Wednesday, August 2 |
| » Defeated Expos (51-58), 3-0 | Stade Olympique (4-3) | 49-53 | |
| » W: Bruce Kison (3-3) L: Dan Schatzeder (4-3) S: Kent Tekulve (18) | Third | 7 out |
| Friday, August 4 |
| » Lost to Phillies (57-46), 2-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (28-22) | 49-54 | |
| » W: Larry Christenson (8-10) L: Jim Rooker (6-8) | Third | 7 out |
| » Defeated Phillies (57-47), 5-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (29-22) | 50-54 | |
| » W: Don Robinson (6-5) L: Jim Kaat (5-4) | Third | 7 out |
| Sunday, August 6 |
| » Lost to Phillies (58-47), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (29-23) | 50-55 | |
| » W: Dick Ruthven (9-8) L: Bert Blyleven (9-7) | Third | 9 out |
| » Lost to Phillies (59-47), 5-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (29-24) | 50-56 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Steve Carlton (10-11) L: Jim Bibby (6-6) | Third | 9 out |
| Monday, August 7 |
| » Lost to Cubs (57-53), 5-4 | Wrigley Field (1-3) | 50-57 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Donnie Moore (7-4) L: Jerry Reuss (0-2) S: Bruce Sutter (22) | Fourth | 9 out |
| Tuesday, August 8 |
| » Defeated Cubs (57-54), 9-5 | Wrigley Field (2-3) | 51-57 | |
| » W: Don Robinson (7-5) L: Rick Reuschel (10-10) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Wednesday, August 9 |
| » Lost to Cubs (58-54), 5-4 | Wrigley Field (2-4) | 51-58 | |
| » W: Dave Roberts (5-7) L: Ed Whitson (3-5) | Fourth | 8½ out |
| Thursday, August 10 |
| » Lost to Phillies (61-50), 3-1 | Veteran's Stadium (1-3) | 51-59 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dick Ruthven (10-8) L: Bert Blyleven (9-8) | Fourth | 9½ out |
| Friday, August 11 |
| » Lost to Phillies (62-50), 15-4 | Veteran's Stadium (1-4) | 51-60 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Steve Carlton (11-11) L: Bruce Kison (3-4) | Fourth | 10½ out |
| Saturday, August 12 |
| » Lost to Phillies (63-50), 10-1 | Veteran's Stadium (1-5) | 51-61 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Randy Lerch (7-7) L: Jim Bibby (6-7) | Fourth | 11½ out |
| Sunday, August 13 |
| » Defeated Phillies (63-51), 7-3 | Veteran's Stadium (2-5) | 52-61 | |
| » W: Don Robinson (8-5) L: Larry Christenson (8-12) | Fourth | 10½ out |
| Monday, August 14 |
| » Defeated Reds (67-51), 7-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-24) | 53-61 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jim Rooker (7-8) L: Paul Moskau (3-3) S: Kent Tekulve (19) | Fourth | 10 out |
| Tuesday, August 15 |
| » Lost to Reds (68-51), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (30-25) | 53-62 | |
| » W: Doug Bair (6-4) L: Ed Whitson (3-6) | Fourth | 10 out |
| Wednesday, August 16 |
| » Defeated Reds (68-52), 13-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (31-25) | 54-62 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (9-11) L: Bill Bonham (9-3) S: Grant Jackson (4) | Fourth | 9 out |
| Thursday, August 17 |
| » Defeated Astros (56-63), 5-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (32-25) | 55-62 | Won 2 |
| » W: Don Robinson (9-5) L: J.R. Richard (12-11) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| » Defeated Astros (56-64), 3-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (33-25) | 56-62 | Won 3 |
| » W: Bruce Kison (4-4) L: Mark Lemongello (8-11) S: Kent Tekulve (20) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Friday, August 18 |
| » Defeated Astros (56-65), 6-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (34-25) | 57-62 | Won 4 |
| » W: Jim Bibby (7-7) L: Vern Ruhle (2-1) S: Kent Tekulve (21) | Third | 6½ out |
| Saturday, August 19 |
| » Defeated Astros (56-66), 4-2 | Three Rivers Stadium (35-25) | 58-62 | Won 5 |
| » W: Bert Blyleven (10-8) L: Floyd Bannister (3-8) S: Kent Tekulve (22) | Third | 6½ out |
| Sunday, August 20 |
| » Defeated Astros (56-67), 7-6 | Three Rivers Stadium (36-25) | 59-62 | Won 6 |
| » W: Jim Rooker (8-8) L: Tom Dixon (6-10) S: Kent Tekulve (23) | Third | 6 out |
| » Defeated Astros (56-68), 3-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (37-25) | 60-62 | Won 7 |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (1-2) L: Joe Niekro (10-10) | Third | 6 out |
| Tuesday, August 22 |
| » Defeated Braves (56-68), 3-1 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (3-1) | 61-62 | Won 8 |
| » W: Don Robinson (10-5) L: Mickey Mahler (4-8) S: Kent Tekulve (24) | Third | 5½ out |
| Wednesday, August 23 |
| » Defeated Braves (56-69), 4-3 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (4-1) | 62-62 | Won 9 |
| » W: Grant Jackson (5-3) L: Dave Campbell (4-3) | Third | 4½ out |
| Thursday, August 24 |
| » Defeated Braves (56-70), 5-1 | Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (5-1) | 63-62 | Won 10 |
| » W: Bert Blyleven (11-8) L: Phil Niekro (15-14) S: Kent Tekulve (25) | Second | 3½ out |
| Friday, August 25 |
| » Lost to Astros (60-68), 7-5 | Astrodome (1-3) | 63-63 | |
| » W: Joe Niekro (11-10) L: Jim Rooker (8-9) S: Joaquin Andujar (1) | Third | 3½ out |
| Saturday, August 26 |
| » Lost to Astros (61-68), 7-2 | Astrodome (1-4) | 63-64 | Lost 2 |
| » W: J.R. Richard (14-11) L: Bruce Kison (4-5) | Third | 4½ out |
| Sunday, August 27 |
| » Defeated Astros (61-69), 8-5 | Astrodome (2-4) | 64-64 | |
| » W: Grant Jackson (6-3) L: Mark Lemongello (9-12) S: Kent Tekulve (26) | Third | 4½ out |
| Monday, August 28 |
| » Defeated Reds (71-60), 3-1 | Riverfront Stadium (2-2) | 65-64 | Won 2 |
| » W: John Candelaria (10-11) L: Fred Norman (10-8) S: Ed Whitson (4) | Third | 4½ out |
| Tuesday, August 29 |
| » Defeated Reds (71-61), 5-0 | Riverfront Stadium (3-2) | 66-64 | Won 3 |
| » W: Bert Blyleven (12-8) L: Mike LaCoss (3-5) | Second | 4½ out |
| Friday, September 1 |
| » Defeated Braves (59-74), 8-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (38-25) | 67-64 | Won 4 |
| » W: Don Robinson (11-5) L: Phil Niekro (16-15) S: Kent Tekulve (27) | Second | 3½ out |
| » Defeated Braves (59-75), 3-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (39-25) | 68-64 | Won 5 |
| » W: Bruce Kison (5-5) L: Mickey Mahler (4-10) S: Kent Tekulve (28) | Second | 3½ out |
| Saturday, September 2 |
| » Defeated Braves (59-76), 4-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (40-25) | 69-64 | Won 6 |
| » W: Grant Jackson (7-3) L: Rick Camp (2-4) | Second | 3½ out |
| Sunday, September 3 |
| » Defeated Braves (59-77), 6-3 | Three Rivers Stadium (41-25) | 70-64 | Won 7 |
| » W: Kent Tekulve (6-6) L: Gene Garber (3-4) | Second | 2 out |
| Monday, September 4 |
| » Defeated Mets (55-82), 7-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (42-25) | 71-64 | Won 8 |
| » W: Ed Whitson (4-6) L: Skip Lockwood (7-13) S: Grant Jackson (5) | Second | 1 out |
| » Defeated Mets (55-83), 7-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (43-25) | 72-64 | Won 9 |
| » W: Jim Bibby (8-7) L: Juan Berenguer (0-2) | Second | 1 out |
| Tuesday, September 5 |
| » Defeated Mets (55-84), 8-0 | Three Rivers Stadium (44-25) | 73-64 | Won 10 |
| » W: Jerry Reuss (2-2) L: Jerry Koosman (3-15) | Second | ½ out |
| Wednesday, September 6 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (60-79), 4-1 | Busch Stadium II (3-5) | 74-64 | Won 11 |
| » W: Don Robinson (12-5) L: John Denny (11-10) | Second | ½ out |
| Future Pirate Frank Brooks is born in Brooklyn, NY. |
| Thursday, September 7 |
| » Lost to Cardinals (61-79), 5-4 | Busch Stadium II (3-6) | 74-65 | |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (4-1) L: Grant Jackson (7-4) S: Mark Littell (10) | Second | 1½ out |
| Friday, September 8 |
| » Lost to Mets (57-85), 3-2 | Shea Stadium (5-2) | 74-66 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dale Murray (8-5) L: Bert Blyleven (12-9) | Second | 3 out |
| Saturday, September 9 |
| » Lost to Mets (58-85), 4-1 | Shea Stadium (5-3) | 74-67 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Kevin Kobel (3-5) L: Jim Rooker (8-10) | Second | 4 out |
| Sunday, September 10 |
| » Lost to Mets (59-85), 11-9 | Shea Stadium (5-4) | 74-68 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Dwight Bernard (1-1) L: Kent Tekulve (6-7) S: Mardie Cornejo (3) | Second | 4 out |
| Monday, September 11 |
| » Lost to Phillies (79-64), 10-3 | Veteran's Stadium (2-6) | 74-69 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Steve Carlton (14-12) L: Don Robinson (12-6) | Second | 5 out |
| Tuesday, September 12 |
| » Defeated Phillies (79-65), 5-1 | Veteran's Stadium (3-6) | 75-69 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (11-11) L: Larry Christenson (11-13) S: Kent Tekulve (29) | Second | 4 out |
| Wednesday, September 13 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (62-85), 7-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (45-25) | 76-69 | Won 2 |
| » W: Bert Blyleven (13-9) L: Pete Falcone (2-7) | Second | 4 out |
| Thursday, September 14 |
| » Defeated Cardinals (62-86), 7-4 | Three Rivers Stadium (46-25) | 77-69 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jim Rooker (9-10) L: Bob Forsch (11-17) | Second | 4 out |
| Friday, September 15 |
| » Defeated Expos (70-79), 6-1 | Three Rivers Stadium (47-25) | 78-69 | Won 4 |
| » W: Bruce Kison (6-5) L: Woodie Fryman (7-11) | Second | 3 out |
| Saturday, September 16 |
| » Defeated Expos |