If it football season yet?

That’s what all Pittsburgh baseball fans are asking — already.

At least the Pittsburgh Penguins are still playing. Hockey is a welcome diversion from a baseball team that seems unable to simply be competitive this season.

Pittsburgh will take competitive. Heck, this area will even take scrappy. The Pirates are just plain bad.

The Buccos have lost eight in a row and 12 of their last 13 games after a promising — albeit too-good-to-be-true start.

Simply put, the Pirates are just not very good.

Take a look at the Bucs starting lineup Sunday against the N.Y. Mets and ponder for a minute who would be in the lineup for a merely average major league team:

1. Nyjer Morgan, LF. Morgan could probably start for a mediocre team if said team A) Needed a speedy leadoff dude with no pop and couldn’t trade for Juan Pierre. B) Needed a player to spark a fashion trend with his socks.

2. Delwyn Young, 2B. In his defense, he is not the starter. Freddy Sanchez is. And Sanchez would be in the lineup more days than not for any club.

3. Nate McLouth, CF. Is in the lineup for any team in the league — and probably will come Aug. 1.

4. Adam LaRoche, 1B. On most teams, he would be a platoon player at best. Only drunk college students go on more streaks — good and bad.

5. Eric Hinske, RF. Couldn’t start for Toronto, Boston or Tampa Bay. Question answered.

6. Andy LaRoche, 3B. Apparently got the same swing-and-miss gene from his brother.

7. Robinzon Diaz, C. In his defense, he is only in majors because of injury to Ryan Doumit, who would be in the lineup for any team — but would be a DH in the American League.

8. Brian Bixler, SS. Bill Bixby could hit better.

While this season is already a bust, there is help on the way. Sure. We have all heard that before, but, this time, it may actually be true.

Guys like Pedro Alvarez, Jose Tabata, Andrew McCutchen and Steve Pearce could provide the club with a brighter future.

The team that is on the field now, though, is inferior.