The Pittsburgh Pirates attempt at .500 ended yesterday on the tail end of a double header with the Atlanta Braves by a score of 8-1. The Bucs' attempt at .500 is further than just the 2 games back. Their schedule for the rest of the month includes a road trip that starts a 3 game series today against the 1st place Cardinals. The Bucs are 1-1 against the Redbirds, but the daunting task is what follows, a 3 game series at Wrigley against the Cubs, then Brewers (who are back at .500) @ home, then the Cubs again at home. Last year the Brewers owned the Pirates at home. And the Cubs are definitely their Daddies this year. The Buccos are 0-6 this season so far with a ridiculous run difference of 52-24. That means the Cubs are scoring an average of 9 runs per game. I'm sorry to say that this lil run for 5 hundred has sank to the bottom of the Mon'.
However, some good signs. Adam LaRoche has showed up and is playing baseball now. This is quite earlier than last year's breakout. The starting pitching is looking very consistent. Gorzo seems to be finding the strike zone again, and Zack Duke is giving up the hits, but he is a DP specialist. Freddy Sanchez & J-Bay have increased their batting averages significantly. It looks like that our premium players are starting to play at a great level which means their market value is going up and start looking for trades to take place BEFORE the All-Star break.
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Comments (3)
Hang in there Justin. It ain't over... of course, until it's over. The Pirates are showing some signs of life lately, from the mound and from the batters box, and the upcoming series you note are just the types of games the Bucs need to bolster the progress they've recently made. Let's see how these road games play out. When the Pirates hit on all cylinders, just like any other team, they can beat any other team. It's just that having the defense, offense and pitching playing the way they can and should all at the same time for any length of time seems to be something no manager, coach, or combination of players has been able to swing for a long time in Pittsburgh.
wvsteve | 05/13/08, 07:23 PM
Report Offensive CommentI think it's unfair to just say the Cubs own the Pirates, because the Pirates are playing better baseball now. When Matt Morris was still on the staff, his starts destroyed the bullpen and put the whole pitching staff on it's heels. Now Duke is looking tough, Snell is bound to come around, and if Gorzo can get his stuff together the Pirates can contend with anybody in the division. It's a little much to hope to win the whole thing, but taking 2 out of 3 from the cards and cubs is feasible.
ovc30 | 05/13/08, 08:57 PM
Report Offensive CommentI think that it is a shame that they have to be planning to trade guys who can play and I am at a loss as to why it is necessary for the fam system. I think it is money and the subsidy for the minor league system is just too expensive for them but it has become a viscious cycle since..1992? Almost two decades for a team with a great tradition. Oh well, the park is nice.
Insane Hussein | 05/13/08, 10:45 PM
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