Month: May 2023

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Pirates Morning Report: Where Have All The Hitters Gone

Final Score: Pirates 1 Blue Jays 10

Why The Pirates Lost: Just a continuation of a slump that just keeps on ticking. The Pirates for the 7th consecutive game failed to get more than 2 runs. They did leave 10 men on base as they got 8 hits with 3 walks. As bad as the hitting is, the pitching is worse. Chase De Jong was in the broadcast booth during a spring training game saying he would like to do this for a living. His broadcast career should start tomorrow, because he sure can’t pitch. He has a nice ERA of 10.61. The top of the 9th looked like batting practice for the Blue Jays. Contreras had a bad outing giving up 5 runs in 5 innings on 9 hits and 3 walks. This will end sometime. Let’s hope it is before June 1.

Key Moment Of The Game: In the top of third with one out Matt Chapman singled to left field. Brandon(I Have Been Reincarnated As Lou Gehrig For The Weekend) Belt took an 0-2 fastball and laced into centerfield for a hit. Whit Merrifield then took a 1-2 curveball, that was grooved right in the middle of the plate, into the leftfield seats to make the score 4-0, and you knew that the 7th straight loss was a lead pipe cinch, even without Chase De Jong coming into the game.

Next Game: Tonight, Rockies in Pittsburgh. Will the Pirates score at least 3 runs tonight. I think that is more important than winning the game. In the 7 losses the Pirates have score 9 runs. They have score 2 runs in 3 games, 1 run in 3 games and have been shutout once. When the Pirates were going good in one of the pre-game openings, John Wehner said the Pirates have no weaknesses. I think we found one John old buddy. You hope the Rockies will be just what the doctor ordered. The Pirates are 20-15. They got there a little differently than I thought they would, but this is just about how good I thought this team would be. Let’s hope they show it before it is too late.

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Golf Diary

The Round: Played at Rittswood Score 85 Greens In Reg 4 Putts 35

The Good: This is easy, nothing. I hopefully figured out something at the end of the day.

The Bad: Had basically bad driving although did a little better on the back nine. The greens in regulation speaks for itself as far as iron play goes. 35 putts are way too many when you only hit 4 greens. The short game was also bad. The weather was not great with drizzle and cool temperatures.

Luck Of The Round: On the greens I missed putts in every way possible. Hit the pin and went out, lipped out, burnt the edge, left some short in the jaws and misread a ton. I had no luck at all today to compound a poor ball striking day in general.

Next Round: Tomorrow South Hills Country Club. Will be starting over tomorrow. Whew.

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Pirates Morning Report: No Turn Around Last Night

Final Score: Pirates 2 Blue Jays 8

Why The Pirates Lost: Another horrible pitching performance by Johan Oviedo. He went 5 innings giving up 7 runs on 10 hits and walking 3. His breaking “stuff” was stuffless as the Blue Jays just rocked it for 4 doubles. Oviedo certainly appears lost for the moment. The Pirates still cannot score more than 2 runs and really did not show much life at the plate, getting only 5 hits. Jack Suwinski did hit a home run but that was about it for the punchless Pirates. It was a discouraging performance all the way around. The bullpen is about the only part of the Pirates that is still performing well. They only gave up 1 run in the last 4innings with the B squad. It was an easy win for the Blue Jays sending the Pirates to their 6th straight loss.

Key Moment Of The Game: In the top of the first the Blue Jays got the first 3 batters on base via a single, walk, and another single to take a 1-0 lead with nobody out. Oviedo got the next 2 batters out and looked like he might get out of the inning with the weak hitting Brandon Belt coming to bat with his .172 average. Oviedo got ahead on the count 1 and 2 by blowing a 97 MPH fastball right by him for strike 2. Let’s just do that again. Oh no, pitching sequence dunce, let’s try an 88 MPH slider, that was scorched for a double, making it 3-0 in the blink of an eye. Alejandro Kirk, proving that some teams think a catcher should be able to hit, laced another double deep to center field to make the score 4-0 and the game was over.

Next Game: This afternoon, Blue Jays in Pittsburgh. Roansy Contreras will see if he can stop the slide. It’s time to send Miguel Andujar packing. It’s time to give Jason Delay more playing time. It’s time for the Pirates to get into a more aggressive hitting mode. They are taking way too many strikes. Yes, there have been balls that were called strikes, out of the zone, especially in Tampa, but they were not that far off that swinging at them could have resulted in hits. It’s time for the Pirates to dig down deep.

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Pirates Morning Report: Running On Empty

Final Score: Pirates 0 Blue Jays 4

Why The Pirates Loss: When you do not score you do not win. There is no question, the Pirates have had some other issues on this 5 game losing streak, but the bottom line is they are just not hitting. They have scored just 6 runs on 26 hits over the last 5 games, and you are not going to win many games with that average. The worst scoring team in baseball is the Miami Marlins, averaging 3.38 runs per game and are playing .500 ball. Compound that with some base running blunders and the Pirates had the perfect recipe for another loss. Rich Hill pitched his typical weird game, giving up 4 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks. He still managed to have some rocket shots hit right at someone.

Key Moment Of The Game: With all the base running mistakes the Pirates made, the Blue Jays made one in the first inning but did not pay for it. With one out in the top of the 1st inning Bo Bichette doubled. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled to left field and Bryan Reynolds pick up the ball in mid to shallow left field just when Bichette was rounding the 3rd base bag. Even though there was only one out, the third base coach waved the runner home and Reynolds threw a weak 3 hopper to the plate that still made it a close play. Any kind of legitimate throw and he is out at the plate. You never know, a big defensive play may have gotten the Pirates untracked. This would be the only run the Blue Jays would need, as the Pirates went quietly down to their 5th straight defeat.

Next Game: Tonight, Blue Jays in Pittsburgh. No question, the Pirates are having a rough stretch right now. The key will be how long will it last. More injuries with Bae and McCutchen having ankle problems is not going to help. All it takes is one game to right the ship. Speaking of rough patches Johan Oviedo takes the mound having given up 11 runs in his last 2 starts. He needs a good game which might lead to a double turn around tonight. One final thought: I have neither the time nor the inclination to go into it, but Greg Brown knows nothing about baseball despite watching it his entire life. The sound will be off the rest of the season. I cannot afford to throw a brick at the TV set.

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Pirates Morning Report: Oh, Solo Home Run

Final Score: Pirates 2 Rays 3

Why The Pirates Loss: Two words, Zach Eflin, another pitcher who has suddenly found it, after 7 years of just average performance. Over 7 innings he gave up no runs, 3 hits, no walks, and struck out 10, while only using 80 pitches. This improved his record to 4-0 with an ERA of 2.25. The Rays hit 3 solo homers and with that kind of pitching, it was enough to send the Pirates to their 4th straight loss. The Pirates made it interesting in the 9th to close the gap to 3-2 but could not push across the tying run. Things just got worse when Vince Velasquez had some kind of elbow pain and had to leave the game after the 3rd inning. There are no more updates on the Pirate website which is about as current as getting updates on the Civil War. At the very least you have to figure he is going on the IL and missing at least 2-3 starts. It could be worse the way the Pirates luck has been going.

The Key Moment Of The Game: The Pirates offense was even worse yesterday as they limped into the 9th inning trailing 3-0. The Pirates started getting some breaks. With one out Tucupita Marcano got hit with a pitch on an 0-2 count. Then Taylor Walls got greedy on a ground ball by Bryan Reynolds trying to get a double play by tagging Marcano before throwing to first and dropped the ball. McCutchen struck out, but Carlos Santana roped a double into right center field to score 2 runs. After a walk, Connor Joe struck out to end the game, with the Pirates not taking full advantage of the Rays generosity.

Next Game: Tonight, Blue Jays, in Pittsburgh. Hopefully, home cooking will get the Pirates back on track. This begins a 6 game homestand against the Blue Jays and the Rockies. The Pirates must go at least 4-2. Despite all the problems, the Pirates are still in 1st place. Rich (The Hit Where They Are Pitcher) Hill will take the mound for the Pirates. This does not give you a warm fuzzy feeling with the strong hitting Blue Jays. Will we snap the streak tonight, only The Shadow Knows.

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Golf Diary

The Round: Played South Park Score 75 Greens In Reg: 5 Putts: 24

The Good: It is called putting out of your mind. I only hit 5 greens in regulation but made one birdie. I made a nice 25 foot putt for bird but my other GIR’s were over 40 feet from the pin and never 3 putted one of them. I chipped in from about 50 feet for another birdie. I drove the ball well and I chipped well because I had lots of opportunities, 13 to be exact. My short game was pretty good but I made every putt I had from around 7 feet in. Another way to get to 3 over par.

The Bad: You could say my iron game, but it was not as bad as the stats make it out to be. I had a lot of shots that were on the fringes or close to the green. The conditions were tough with some wind and temperatures barely into the 50’s. We have had pretty terrible weather the last week, as this has been my first 18 hole round since last Thursday. I did play some 9 hole rounds in temperatures that were in the mid 40’s top. We are supposed to get improving conditions for the next few days, that can’t come soon enough as far as I am concerned.

The Luck Of The Round: There was good fortune everywhere during this round. My chip that I holed hit the pin, went around the cup, teetered on the edge and then fell into the cup. One of my few really bad shots hit a tree and did not find a hazard and I was able to salvage a bogey. All my 6-7 foot putts that I made seemed to find just enough of the cup to hit the hole and fall in rather than lip out. I made a 20 foot putt on another hole from the fringe to save par. All my lies in the rough were doable. As written previously, this is how you shoot 3 over par.

Next Round: Tomorrow, Mt Lebo, will play 18 holes.

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Pirates Morning Report: Catch The Ball, Throw The Ball, Catch The Ball, Throw The Ball.

Final Score: Pirates 1 Rays 8

Why The Pirates Loss: The Pirates did not pick a good time to have one of their worse games of the season, on both sides of the ball. They made 2 errors and there were other balls that were either misplayed or misjudged, that were ruled hits. This is the 2nd game in a row that the defense has been bad. The offense has not been much better. Again, the Pirates went hitless with runners in scoring position going 0 for 7 and stranding 8 runners. This is their first 3 game losing streak of the season and the offense has scored a total of only 4 runs. Compound that with the fact, that the Rays are hitting at an unbelievably rate. The Ray’s OPS+ is 148, which means they are hitting almost 50% better than the league average, as a team!!!! The Toronto Blue Jays led the league in OPS+ last year with 117. The Pirates have only 3 players with an OPS+ of over 150. This is a Pirate offense, that for the most part as been doing pretty well. To say that the Ray’s offense is on fire is a huge understatement. Mitch Keller, even though he only pitched 5 innings, deserve a much better fate, as the Pirate’s defensive blunders extended many innings. He only gave up one earned run. The Pirates can move on quickly from this one since they play this afternoon.

Key Moment Of The Game: Andrew McCutchen had homered in the top of the 3rd to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead and Keller quickly got the first 2 outs in the bottom of the 3rd. Up to that point Keller looked extremely sharp allowing only one walk. Then all hell broke loose. Line drive single, another line drive single that ate up Bae, that put runners on 1st and 3rd with 2 out. Rodolfo Castro then botched a routine ground ball to allow one run to score and extend the inning. Bang, Brandon Lowe then doubled, and the Rays never looked back from their 3-1 lead.

Next Game: This afternoon, the Rays in Tampa Bay. Will the Pirates be able to snap the 3 game losing streak in Tampa today. I am sure this will not be their last 3 game losing streak, but it sure would feel good to win one today. Certainly, this is no time to panic but I do think there needs to be one change in the lineup. Ke’Bryan Hayes needs to be removed from the leadoff spot, until he shows he can hit and get on base. Currently his OBP is .281, which accounts for his OPS+ of 72. This simply cannot be your leadoff hitter. Vince Velasquez gets the start today. He has been the best Pirate pitcher over the last 3 weeks. He will get the supreme test today. I am really hoping I was wrong about this guy because I would like to see us avoid 4 losses in a row.

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Pirate Morning Report: Looking For The .143 Miracle

Final Score: Pirates 1 Rays 4

Why The Pirates Loss: Despite a below average performance by Roansy Contreras, this game was lost because of a lack of timely hitting and some questionable strategy. The Pirates got 5 hits, added 6 walks, but could only muster 1 run. They were 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base. Contreras did not pitch horribly, but did walk 4 batters, gave up a home run and threw 99 pitches in 5 and 1/3 innings. Did not have a lot of luck in the bottom of the 5th, as the Rays posted 2 runs on a walk, a pop up single that should have been caught, a hard single just out of the reach of the defenseless Mark Mathias, and a double steal. It was just one of those games, as the Pirates dropped their 2nd game in a row to fall to 20-10

Key Moment Of The Game: After the Rays took the lead in the bottom of the 5th, the Pirates started the 6th inning with a bang, on a Connor Joe double and Castro getting hit by a pitch to put runners on 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Tucupita Marcano pinch hitting for the gloveless Mathias, apparently was told to sacrifice bunt to see if a .143 hitter could get 2 runs home. I don’t have a big problem with the sacrifice bunt, if that was indeed the plan, but you have to pinch hit for Hedges if you are going to go that route. To add insult to injury the umpires missed a balk that would have brought a run home. Hedges then struck out and Ke’Bryan Hayes on a 3-1 pitch swung at a ball that as Bob Prince use to say ” He couldn’t have hit with a bed slat”. He took a called 3rd strike to end the inning and the Pirates hopes of a comeback.

Next Game: Tonight, the Rays in Tampa Bay. Mitch Keller will try and get the Pirates back on track. This is a little like the game following last week’s Dodger loss, the Pirates don’t have to win tonight but they have to play a better all around game. One final thought, the next time you sacrifice two runners to 2nd and 3rd with no one out and you have the .143 catcher coming to the plate, put in the .390 hitting catcher. No charge for the tip.

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Pirates Morning Report: 29 Games In

Every 30 games or so, I will take an overall look at the Pirates to see how they are doing. In this day of analytics, you could try and breakdown every little thing the Pirates do, but in my opinion, it boils down to some basic things on offense, defense and pitching. On offense, it is how often you get on base (On Base Percentage OBP), how you convert that into runs, and how you compare with the rest of the league when all things are taken into account, OPS+. OPS+ is a number with the league average being 100. Pitching boils down to preventing runs, how well you control what a pitcher can control, home runs strikeouts, and walks. This is known as Fielding Independent Pitching, FIP. I use Baseball Reference’s Defense Efficiency Rating for evaluating a team’s defense. There are others and you can argue the merits of all the sites defensive ratings, but this isn’t life changing here, so I will go with them. Let’s see how the Pirates are doing, obviously quite well.

Offense: The Pirates are 3rd in baseball in getting on base with an OBP of .343. They are doing well on getting men home, scoring 5.38 runs per game, which is 5th. The Pirates OPS+ is 4th at 115. Everyone pales before the Tampa Bay Rays, who are at an astounding 150. The Pirates lead the league in stolen bases which is helping score runs but as the saying goes you cannot steal 1st. This is as high as the Pirates have been in these offensive stats in 5 or more years. Who is the poster child for this offensive resurgence? No question the most improved offensive player is Jack Suwinski. His batting process has improved dramatically. Batting average from .202 to .279. OBP from .298 to .393. Slugging from .411 to .618. He is tied for the team lead in walks with 14. This all due to a newfound plate discipline that hopefully will continue. This can be said for most of the team, as the offense has been pretty good for these 29 games.

Pitching: In run prevention the Pirate’s pitching staff is just as good as the offense is in producing runs, allowing 3.72 runs per game, which is 4th best in baseball. The pitching is 4th in ERA+ at 128 just 9 behind the Houston Astros. Their FIP is 3.81, which puts them in the 6th spot. As far as the pitching is concerned this has been a team effort. All the active pitchers at the moment have ERA+’s over 100, except Johan Oviedo and he is at 94, due to the bad outing the last game. Certainly, the surprise of the pitching staff has been Vince Velasquez. After a horrendous beginning, giving up 8 runs in a little over 7 innings in 2 starts, he has become the Pirates best pitcher. The last 4 games, he has given up 0 runs in 3 of them and 3 in the other game. His current ERA+ is 146. His lifetime ERA+ is 87. Whether it is him or something the Pirates saw, they have now honed him into a top pitcher. If he can keep this up even a little bit, it will make this rotation very formidable. I will admit I never saw this coming, but I am very happy.

Defense: Despite what you hear in the Pirate broadcast booth the Pirates are just an average fielding team at 17th in Defensive Efficiency. I think a lot of this is due to Rodolfo Castro having to move over to shortstop to replace Oneil Cruz. If Tucupita Marcano could prove that he can hit major league pitching, moving him to shortstop may help. The Pirates did this late in a game recently moving Castro over to second where he is better. Regardless the Pirates are fielding better than they have in a long time. It’s amazing what a real 1st baseman can do for you, thank you Carlos Santana.

The Pirates had a surprising great April. I expected this team to play meaningful games in August and September and contend for a playoff spot. I never thought they would get off to this good of a start, especially with some to the injuries that have occurred, beyond the devastating Oneil Cruz injury. The schedule is a little tougher in May, beginning with the next 6 games against the Rays and the Jays. If these Pirates can play .500 ball the rest of the season, they will wind up with 85+ wins. I certainly do not expect the Pirates to be 40-20 at the next 30 game report. 35 and 25 would be nice and I feel they are more than capable of accomplishing that record around the 1st week of June. They need to stay away from the injury bug if they are going to be in the hunt. They have had enough of that. I think the most important thing that happened this month was the long term signing of Bryan Reynolds. It shows that the Pirates have a true belief in this club and the future. If things continue like this, the future is now.