Pirates Morning Report, We Need a Pop Up Drill

Final Score: Pirates 3 Red Sox 5

How The 2023 Pirates Did: Simply put, they did not do well at all. Mitch Keller who currently is diagnosed with right shoulder fatigue, did not look good, but still could have gotten out of those two innings with only 3 runs scoring, if the Pirates were able to corral pop ups and fly balls. Why Cruz was not charged with an error on the pop up in the 1st inning is anybody’s guess. The 2023 Pirates only got 1 hit for game and that was Jason Delay, who is not a cinch to be playing next year, but he has been the best catcher this year. Believe me the competition has not been too tough. Even though I just wrote yesterday that Ben Gamel should not be on the team next year, it would be nice to see the Pirates make him the permanent DH for the rest of 2022. It could be something that Gamel does really well, if given the opportunity. One thing is for sure, he can’t field. The bullpen did an outstanding job holding the Red Sox scoreless over the last 7 innings. Cruz continued his struggles and the rest of the 2023 team could only get 1 hit in 18 at bats with 3 walks.

Key Moment of The Game: The entire first inning was a disaster on all fronts. The Red Sox started the game with a single, 2 walks, and 3 more singles, with one being the misplayed pop up. They had 3 runs and there was nobody out. Then the Pirates went the next 7 innings getting only 1 hit. They fired the hitting coach about this time last year. Maybe this is what the team needs now, no instruction.

Next Game: Tonight, Red Sox in Pittsburgh. Roansy Contreras goes tonight, and it will put a little more interest in the game. I imagine that new call up Kevin Padlo will get another start, just to ensure another loss and to continue to put garbage on the field. He has only played 3 games in the outfield in his professional career, so expect to see him in right field soon. Right now, there are only 3 teams with a worst winning percentage than the Pirates. If the season ended tomorrow the Pirates would have the 4th pick in the draft. This has been their goal all season, and they won’t stop trying to be the worst.