20-0. 100. 36-1. 31-131.

All numbers that point to this being the darkest day in recent Pirates history. A record-breaking shutout loss, eclipsing a standard that stood for a century. A three-game series of absolutely one-sided baseball. A Pythagorean expectation so pessimistic that it’s quite literally unbelievable.

The Milwaukee Brewers won 20-0 today, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates more solidly than any team has since the Philadelphia Phillies posted an 18-0 victory against them on July 11, 1910. It capped off a series that saw the Brewers outscore the Pirates by 35 runs. The Pirates have been outscored 111-54 through 15 games, and that differential indicates that the Pirates would be expected to win at .191 clip this year, all else equal.

It has to get better — mathematically, it really, really has to — but right now, it’s tough to see how.

I’m an unwavering believer in Neal Huntington’s plan. On some nights, I look around the diamond and see budding stars. But on afternoons like today, I look around and see failed potential.

When David Littlefield drafted Daniel Moskos ahead of Matt Wieters in 2007, it was bad. When Jason Bay was traded, or Nate McLouth, or Jack Wilson was traded, the casual fan was understandably upset.

But with the Moskos pick, you knew a change in management was inevitable. With trades made en masse, you knew the farm system would be restocked, even if the returns weren’t realized immediately.

But what now?

Huntington is in place, and he has executed his plan to the best of his ability. There are no significant assets left to sell. For better or worse, the Pirates’ 25-man roster and minor-league depth chart is set.

I know the blowouts will end. I know that while all the Pirates’ up-and-comers won’t pan out, they all — Clement, Cedeno, LaRoche, Milledge, Jones, Morton, Ohlendorf, Meek — won’t fail, either. And the best is yet to come, with McCutchen, Alvarez, Tabata, Marte in black and gold for seasons to come.

But on April 22, 2010, on the receiving end of a 20-run whuppin’, it’s hard not to think about what will happen if these specific players weren’t the right ones to target in transactions.

I’m still a Pirates fan, and I know it’s said to be darkest just before the dawn. But the naysayers have serious ammunition today, and for once, I don’t really feel like trying to mount a defense.

We’ll see how it plays out.