FanNation - The Republic of Sport

If you're new to the National League, haven't paid attention to the Central in particular, you wouldn't know what the fans in Milwaukee and Pittsburgh know.  Whenever the Brewers and Pirates wage war, be in PNC Park or Miller Park, it will be a fight-to-the-death contest that leaves everyone on the edge of their seat.

Don't believe me?  Last night, the opening game of a four-game series with the Pirates at home, Milwaukee was coming off of a three-game sweep of the defending World Series champions St. Louis, and while they were greiving the loss of Josh Hancock, they still had Brandon Looper, Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds, Scott Rolen, and Chris Duncan.

A 2-0 lead held until the seventh inning, when Brewers started Dave Bush allowed a quick lead-off double by Freddy Sanchez, knocked in by a blooper courtesy Jason Bay, and three more runs to take the lead for good, 4-2.

It was a devastating loss for the Brewers, who at 18-10 were leaders in the MLB record-wise heading into the game.  Unfortunately, when you're at the top of your game, you've eventually got to fall off sometime.  And for the Brewers, their time to fall out might just be in this series against Pittsburgh.

Statistically, Milwaukee is a better team at home than they are away.  Pittsburgh, however, has been heralded many a time about being our "equal," the team that looks and feels just like us.  Unfortunately for the Pirates, we're the ones in first place and they're the ones 4.5 games back.  Even a sweep wouldn't put them in first place, and the Brewers are leading their division this late in the season for the first time since 1983.

Take Opening Day 2006 for an example.  The Brewers and Pirates literally were neck-and-neck for the entire game until a two-run double by Jeff Cirillo opened the door for Milwaukee as Turnbow closed it in the ninth for a 5-2 win.  Pittsburgh has our number at PNC Park, it always seems that we're dropping two of three when we're there.

Nevertheless, they're winning comfortably tonight with three Brewer home runs.  The difference between these two clubs is obviously the payroll.  The Pirates have not dished out the money Milwaukee has, especially over the course of the past three years.  With Jeff Suppan heading to Milwaukee in the four-year, $42M deal (the largest in club history), Pittsburgh countered with a minor league contract with Dan Kolb.

Sure, you're going to get some good deals with those, but it's low risk, low reward.  Save your Sammy Sosa to the Rangers, usually those kind of players don't pan out.  Milwaukee brought in JD Closser, a catcher, and sent him to AAA and dumped him on the A's today in a minor league deal.

Another thing the Pirates are missing is that true superstar on both sides.  They've certainly got it on the offensive side with Jason Bay and Adam Laroche, but they're missing it so far on the pitching side.  Oliver Perez was definetly who the organization felt was going to be that, the Opening Day starter last season, but he was traded to the New York Mets.  Zach Duke is getting there, but his ERA is above 6 after April.

No matter what happens, the Brewers and Pirates will always be competitive and should blossom into a great rivalry as history progresses.