Nobody in the major leagues has a better record than the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Yes, you read that correctly. It’s not a typo and there is no punch line.

A franchise that has strung together 20 consecutive losing seasons is sitting pretty at 18 games over .500 with a 48-30 record.

Of course, we’ve been down this road before and the naysayers won’t buy in — perhaps rightfully so — until the Bucs celebrate that stubbornly elusive 82nd win.

Is this finally the year?

My answer was no on the eve of Opening Day, but I’ve flopped harder than an NBA player trying to draw a foul.

The Pirates’ consistency has been their most promising quality during the 2013 campaign. Last season, they began with mediocrity, caught fire in June and July, then nose-dived faster than the reputation of Aaron Hernandez.

The Bucs have been steady this year despite ranking only 10th in the NL in runs scored. Much of the credit for a smooth ride can be linked to significant and unexpected contributions from a slew of young pitchers, especially during the absence of injured veterans A.J. Burnett and Wandy Rodriguez.

Jeff Locke was an afterthought in spring training. Now, he should be an All-Star.

Locke is 7-1 with a 2.06 ERA, a team-high 96 1-3 innings pitched and hasn’t allowed an earned run in seven of his past 13 starts.

Hard to believe that production is from a guy who started the season behind Jonathan Sanchez on the depth chart.

Justin Wilson lost the role of No. 5 starter to Locke in spring training, but settled nicely into the bullpen. Wilson sports a 5-1 record with a 2.23 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 44 1-3 innings pitched.

The chances of Locke and Wilson combining for a 12-2 record 78 games into the season were even less likely than the Pirates starting 48-30.

Jeanmar Gomez started at least 10 games for the Cleveland Indians in each of the past three seasons and never posted an ERA better than 4.47, but owns a 2.76 ERA in 13 appearances with the Pirates, who have won all eight of his starts.

Brandon Cumpton, a ninth-round draft pick in 2010, made the first two MLB starts of his career this month and didn’t last more than five innings in either.

On the surface, it’s not impressive, but he filled the gap while the rotation was depleted by injuries and posted a 3.60 ERA in the process. He gave the Pirates exactly what they needed.

Gerrit Cole, the No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft, makes the fourth start of his career Friday and currently owns a 3-0 record with a 3.44 ERA.

Unlike the aforementioned pitchers — which are all 25 or younger — Cole came in with plenty of hype as the 22-year-old future ace with a 100 mph fastball.

The surrounding arms have given Pittsburgh reason to be hyped for the rest of the regular season — and possibly beyond.

Jason Orfao is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.