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Habits

What are your daily habits?

The definition of habit is an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary. To begin as they happen, my first daily habit is to wake up. It may be the most important. Without that, there are no more habits. After waking up I know I am breathing. Next I move, walking, go to the bathroom, urinate, and go downstairs. Drink coffee, use my I pad, go back upstairs, have a bowel movement, put eye drops in, shave, floss, brush my teeth, take a shower and meditate. I will eat food, do some kind of activity that takes me through the day, which includes being on the desk top computer. I will urinate at other times throughout the day. Eat food, watch TV, put eye drops in, brush my teeth, urinate and go to bed. Those are the things that I know I do every single day. There are many things that I know I do almost every day. That was not the question. Most people think of habits as things they do with the adjective good or bad in front of it. It is hard to develop good habits and difficult to break bad habits. Another way to put it is to say it is easy to get addicted to bad habits and hard to get addicted to good habits. Why is that? Now THAT is a great question. If I only had the answer.

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Pirates Morning Report: The Offense Continues

Final Score: Pirates 6 Reds 1

Why The Pirates Won: Luis Ortiz finally got a chance to start and did not disappoint. He went 6 strong innings giving up 1 run, 4 hits, walking no one, striking out 7, while throwing 85 pitches. Kyle Nicolas followed that up with 2 innings of hitless ball, walking one. Aroldis Chapman pitched the 9th to complete an excellent pitching day for the Pirates. The offense didn’t do to bad either getting 6 runs on 10 hits, led by Rawhide Rowdy and Andrew McCutchen, who each hit a home run. Jack Suwinski and Jason Delay went a combined 3 for 6, driving in the other 3 runs.

The Key Moments Of The Game: The Reds had just tied the game in the bottom of the 3rd, when Rawhide Rowdy led off the the top of the 4th by taking a 3-2 pitch and sending into the seats to immediately take back the lead 2-1. In the top of the 5th Delay doubled followed by the McCutchen homer to give the Pirates a 3 run cushion. In the top of the 6th, Delay got a big 2 out double to drive in 2 more and the Pirates breezed to a series win that they needed desperately. The lineup was good today and all I can say is, it’s about time.

Next Game: Tomorrow, the Braves in Atlanta. The 3 game series begins in Atlanta. Hopefully the Pirates can win one for a 3-3 road trip. No pitchers have been officially announced. This day off today is critical for the Pirates brain trust to have plenty of time to screw this up.

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Pirates Morning Report: What A Difference A Week Makes

Final Score: Pirates 9 Reds 5

Why The Pirates Won: A week ago today Mitch Keller and Hunter Greene had one of the best pitcher’s duel of the year, each giving up just 2 hits. Last night they would have been happy if they had just given up 2 runs a piece. Greene seemed to be under the weather but the Reds didn’t seem to care. Keller took 104 pitches to struggle through 5 and 2/3 innings. Granted there should have been some outfield plays that could have been made, especially by Michael Taylor, but Keller walked 3, hit a batter, and had only one inning where he retired the side in order. The Pirate offense took advantage of Greene’s stomach problems belting him around for 6 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks. I was surprised he came out for the 2nd inning. The Reds are dumber than the Pirates. It was a much needed win for the Pirates.

Key Moments Of The Game: After Andrew McCutchen walked to start the game, Greene got Bryan Reynolds to foul off the first pitch. He turned around and vomited on the mound. After much discussion he stayed in the game. Reynolds worked the count to 3-2 and then hit a slider out of the park to give the Pirates a quick 2-0 lead. The Pirates added another run thanks to a Rawhide Rowdy stolen base and Nick Gonzales single. The Reds allowed Greene to throw 3 more innings. It only took him 93 pitches to do it. He gave up 3 more runs in the 3rd. In the bottom of the 3rd after 1 out, the Reds loaded the bases thanks to a Cruz error and Keller hitting a batter, then walking another one. Keller struck out the next 2 batters to keep the Reds from getting back in the game. The Pirates added 3 more runs and the Reds made it somewhat interesting, but the Pirates handily evened the series.

Next Game: This afternoon, Reds in Cincinnati. Somebody please tell Derek Shelton that there is a day off tomorrow and nobody needs a rest. McCutchen seemed to hurt himself on his last at bat, but that should be the only player who might not play. The Pirates need this win heading to Atlanta.

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Pirates Morning Report: Waiver Built Bullpen Gets Blasted

Final Score: Pirates 5 Reds 11

Why The Pirates Lost: After getting back into the game 5-3 The Shadow Shelton decided to try the waiver bullpen Justin (I Can’t Get Anybody Out) Bruihl, Dennis (The Yankees Gave Up On Me) Santana, and last but certainly not least, Daulton (Batting Practice Pitcher) Jefferies. In 3 innings of “work” they gave up 6 runs on 7 hits. They ended the night with ERA’S of 9.53, 7.34, and 14.93 respectively. Probably the only one surprised by their performances was Derek Shelton. This game just like the game before was handed to the opposing team on a silver platter.

Key Moment Of The Game: The Pirates in the top of the 5th battled back from a 4 run deficit to cut the lead to 5-3 on a RBI single by Yasmani Grandal and a force out by Oneil Cruz. Despite the game being close, Shelton decided to go with the waiver bullpen when there were plenty of options available. Not only that but he puts in another left hander, when the Reds whole lineup is geared up to hit left handed pitching. The result is Bruihl gets one out and the Reds bounce right back to get their 4 run lead again.

Next Game: Tonight, the Reds in Cincinnati. Mitch Keller and Hunter Greene will repeat their match up of last week where neither pitcher gave up a run. We know that Mitch Keller will have to repeat that performance if he expects to get win number 9.

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Pirates Morning Report: Offensive Offense

Final Score: Pirates 1 Rays 3

Why The Pirates Lost: Another poor lineup card where the Pirates did not play Gonzales and McCutchen in a supposed big rubber game of a series. Even tough McCutchen is 37 he is just batting and not playing the field and only the Shadow Stupid Bone Headed Shelton would know why you would not play Gonzales. This is an offense that has not gotten more than 5 hits in a game for the last 5 games. The Tampa Bay pitching staff is ranked 27th in baseball according to ERA+. All of this, wasted another strong performance by Paul Skenes. He went 7 innings giving up 1 run on 7 hits, walking 1, while striking out 8. In a nutshell, it is hard to win when you don’t play your best players, especially when they are playing well.

Key Moment Of The Game: It was the top of the 8th when Colin Holderman got touched up for the 2 runs to give the Rays the insurmountable lead of 3-1. The hardest hit ball was the sacrifice fly out. The other big moment was when Shelton turned in that pathetic lineup card. The Pirates continue to keep and play players that should either be in AAA or DFA. With the trade deadline coming and the owner Mr. Nuthead saying the Pirates are going to make some moves, it is really scary to think what those might be.

The Next Game: Tonight, the Reds in Cincinnati. This is the start of a six game road trip against the Reds and Braves and guess what, they have an off day on Thursday. This will be their 6th off day since May 20th. Do you think they play softball that day and that’s why these players need days off besides the scheduled day off? Who knows? Only the Shadow Shelton knows.

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Self Care

How do you practice self-care?

First off I meditate once daily for 15 to 20 minutes in the morning. I walk anywhere from 3 to 4 miles a day and I swing a short weighted golf club 50 to 100 times per day. I try to eat as healthy as I can but could probably do better because I love food. Meditation is the most useful because it relaxes the mind and the body. The rest of self care is a mental process. You must accept yourself including all of your faults. You must be aware of what is going on around you externally and internally. Trust your instincts and feelings and never second quess decisions. Then appreciate all the things that you have and all the blessings that have been bestowed upon you. That is the way everyday should start and end. If you do that it will be the key to a good nights sleep which is the final but maybe the most important part of self care.

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Pirates Morning Report: Edging The Rays

Final Score: Pirates 4 Rays 3

Why The Pirates Won: After getting off to a shaky start Jared Jones pitched a solid 7 innings giving up 2 runs on just 3 hits, waking 3, striking out 8, while throwing 94 pitches. Holderman and Chapman got shakily through the 8th and 9th. Chapman had to pitch the 9th because David Bednar had left sided tightness. The game ended with the tying run on 2nd base as Chapman got the last batter to ground out to end the game. The offense had just enough to give the Pirates the win. The last 17 batters went down in order.

Key Moments Of Game: Jones’ ability to come back from giving up a run on hit batsman, a walk, a wild pitch, and ground out was a big key. Especially after he almost killed Amed Rosario on the 3rd pitch of the at bat by hitting him in the eyeball with a 100 MPH fastball, with one run already in. He was able to get the next guy out, and from that point on it was like a new pitcher had taken the mound. He struck out the 8 batters over the last 6 innings. Oneil Cruz got the Pirates immediately even with a 445 ft. home run that went into the river on a fly. In the bottom of the 3rd, the Pirates had taken the lead 3-1, with runners on 1st and 3rd and one out. Nick Gonzales hit a rather weak ground ball to third that the Rays tried to unsuccessfully turn into a double play. Cruz scored the 4th and deciding run of the game. It was nice of the Rays not to try and throw Cruz out at home. Considering the Pirates did not get a man on base the rest of the game, if they don’t score there, they probably lose.

Next Game: This afternoon, Rays in Pittsburgh. The Rays go from the frying pan into the fire facing Paul Skenes this afternoon. Can this kid pitch great every time. Who knows? Just like in the case of Bednar’s left side tightness, only the Shadow Shelton knows for sure.

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Pirates Morning Report: A Contrast In Managers

Final Score: Pirates 3 Rays 10

Why The Pirates Lost: Make no question about it things went the Rays way last night. They got 17 hits and did hit 3 home runs but many of their hits snuck through the infield or were bloopers. The Pirates offense remained inept getting only 5 hits. The Pirates were still in the game going into the 6th inning and that is where we saw the contrast in managers.

Key Moments Of The Game: The score was 4-0 Rays going into the bottom of the 4th. Ryan Pepiot had been pretty much in control of the game. He walked the first two batters to start the inning. Ke’Bryan Hayes singled in the first Pirate run, putting runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Pepiot did get Connor Joe to pop out. Suwinski doubled to make the score 4-2 and after a walk to Grandal to load the bases out came Kevin Cash to get his pitcher. Reliever Colin Poche got out of the jam in one pitch getting McCutchen to ground into a 5-4-3 double play. Contrast that with the top of the 6th and the score still 4-2 Rays. Luis Ortiz had pitched 3 and 1/3 innings giving up 3 runs on 5 hits including a home run to Josh Lowe. The inning started with 2 singles followed by a force out at 2nd putting runners on 1st and 3rd. Ortiz struck out the next batter and up stepped the aforementioned LEFT HAND BATTING Josh Lowe. Josh Fleming was warming up in the bullpen. Against lefties Lowe is hitting .167. Ortiz had thrown 76 pitches, the most all year. Shelton never moved. First pitch Lowe homered for the second time, both off Ortiz, making the score 7-2 and the game is over. He still doesn’t take him out until another double is given up. What makes this even worse, according to Joe Block, the Rays bullpen was used a lot the day before and the Pirates with the day off had a well rested bullpen. Thanks to Derek (How Many Pitches Had He Thrown) Shelton, they are still well rested.

Next Game: This afternoon, Rays in Pittsburgh. Another momentum killing loss for the Pirates last night. Jared Jones is getting the start today and let’s hope he turns it around. His last 7 starts, which is half of his starts, his ERA is 4.97. He needs to get back on track especially with this offense. This team could be named the Treadmill Pirates. The legs are moving fast, with the exception of Rawhide Rowdy, but they are going nowhere.

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Pirates Morning Report: Pirates Win Pitching Duel

Final Score: Pirates 1 Reds 0

Why The Pirates Won: Both starting pitchers, Hunter Greene, for the Reds, and Mitch Keller for the Pirates were dominate. Greene pitched 6 and 1/3 innings giving up 2 hits, walking none, striking out 9 but was not that efficient throwing 106 pitches. The Pirates only had 3 at bats with runners in scoring position. Keller was just a little bit better going 7 plus innings giving up 2 singles, did walk 2, struck out 7 while throwing only 83 pitches. The Reds only had 4 at bats with runners in scoring position. Only once did each team get a runner to second with less than 2 outs. It was one of the most dominant pitching performances by both pitchers for the year. Great defensive plays were not even needed. The Reds had only one ball that was hit over a 100 MPH and that was a pop up. The Pirates had 4 over 100 MPH. Their 3 hits and a line out by Hayes that the centerfielder made a comfortable running catch. This was the poster child for a game of soft contact. The game only took 2 hours and 8 minutes. The Pirates took the series to hold onto 3rd place in the Central.

The Key Moment Of The Game: Bryan Reynolds took a high outside change up and drilled it 407 feet over the left centerfield fence with 2 out in the bottom of the 8th to give the Pirates that cherished 1-0 lead. It extended his hitting streak to 17 games and gave the Pirates the lead with 3 outs to get. Bednar came in the top of the 9th and shut it down easily to gain his 16th save.

Next Game: Tomorrow, the Rays, in Pittsburgh. These are not the Tampa Bay Rays of old, floundering 5 games under .500. No pitchers have been announced so there is no telling what the Pirates are going to do. They will have all day today and tomorrow to think about it which is really scary. This is a team that we have the potential to sweep. Can we finally get a hot streak? Who knows? Only the Shelton knows.

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Pirates Morning Report: Just Can’t Seem To Get Any Real Momentum

Final Score: Pirates 1 Reds 2

Why The Pirates Lost: Baily (Not My) Falter pitched a very good game going 7 innings allowing 2 runs, on 7 hits, walking 2, striking out 3 while throwing only 80 pitches. I was a little surprised that they took him out because of how overworked the bullpen is. The sterling performance by Falter was not enough as the Pirates could score only 1 run on 4 hits. Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a solo home run for the only Pirate run in the bottom of the 7th. The Pirate bats were pretty silent as Reynolds had 2 hits and McCutchen the other one. Six of the nine starters went hitless. They were at bat only one time with a runner in scoring postion. The Pirates just cannot seem to get any momentum going to go on a hot streak. Perhaps tomorrow they can win the rubber match in the blazing heat.

Key Moments Of The Game: In the bottom of the 6th Michael Taylor was robbed of a home run by Reds left fielder Spence Steer. In the bottom of the 8th Oneil Cruz led off the 8th with a 102 MPH line drive that was caught. Andrew McCutchen walked. Bryan Reynolds who has been red hot lined one 106 MPH deep to centerfield. Centerfielder Stuart Fairchild made a very nice running catch of the ball but it was not spectacular. For whatever reason McCutchen was all the way around to third base and was thrown out easily to complete the double play. It may have not made any difference but what a base running gaffe.

Next Game: This afternoon, Reds in Pittsburgh. Mitch. Keller will be going for the Pirates today and it will be brutally hot. It is a big game today but will the Pirates management team act like it is. Will they rest Bryan Reynolds? Who knows? Only the Shadow Shelton knows.