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Pirates Morning Report, Well, It Was a Good 6 Innings.

How The 2023 Pirates Did: There were 8 of the 2023 Pirates in the starting lineup and they lost for the 2nd straight game. They could not really get runs across the plate, but it was the 28 and 29 year old rejects that contributed heavily to this loss. More on that later. Oneil Cruz got 2 hits and drove in the only run. Reynolds, Mitchell, Delay, and Castro got 1 hit each. Suwinski and Chavis had tough games going 0 for 8, striking out 6 times. Roansy Contreras pitched another solid if not spectacular game giving up 1 run on 4hits, walking 2, and striking out 5 over 6 innings, throwing 92 pitches. It dropped the 2023 Pirates record to 2-2 and they are going to have to find ways to put more runs on the board even w hen Van Meter is the DH. Can you believe that? Why don’t the Pirates just let pitchers’ bat, but I guess that would be too obvious.

Key Moment of The Game: After the Oneil Cruz triple with one out that drove in the run, Kevin (What’s the strike zone) Newman came to bat. He swung at the first pitch that was a border line strike, but a strike none the less. The next 2 pitches were not close to the strike zone, and he swung at both of them to help cool off the crowd, but it did nothing to help score Cruz. In the top of the 7th DUJ came in to lose the game. He took a while but succeeded by giving up a single, 2 walks and then a double to clear the bases and send the Blue Jays to a 4 to 1 victory. DUJ, management loves you. Hopefully not enough to be on the team next year.

Next Game: Today at Noon, Blue Jays in Pittsburg. The game is going to be on Peacock, as the network is trying to get rid of subscribers by showing the Pirates. Could we have 3 games in a row with 7 or more of the 2023 Pirates in the starting lineup. I would be shocked if that happens. They have lost 2 in a row, so they are contributing to getting the No. 1 pick.

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Pirates Morning Report, 2023 Pirates Fall to 2 and 1

Final Score: Pirates 0 Blue Jays 4

How The 2023 Pirates Did: They went up against one of the better pitchers in the league in Alek Manoah who is sporting an ERA+ of 158 and a WHIP of 1.01. Jack Suwinski had a decent game going 2 for 4, as did Cal Mitchell going 1 for 2 with a walk. The rest of the group could not figure out Mr. Manoah going a nice round 0 for 20, striking out 9 times. Castro and Reynolds struck out 3 times each. Despite the lack of success, I did like the Pirates aggressiveness at the plate in certain innings. Manoah was throwing strikes and the Pirates went after them, but just did not get the results. They played good defense, and they had a couple of opportunities in in the 2nd, 3rd, and the 7th but could not get the big hit. All in all, not a good day for the 2023 Pirates as they went up against a very good team and pitcher.

Key Moment of The Game: When Alek Manoah took the mound. He was in command from the very beginning of the game. The Pirates kept the game close with some great defensive plays. Chase DeJong got out of a big jam in the top of the 8th. The Blue Jays had 1st and 3rd with no outs and then the bases loaded with one out, but Dejong got a short fly ball to center field, a strike out, and a fly out to left to hold the score at 2-0. Even though this was a loss, the 2023 Pirates showed some grit that the 29- to 30-year-old rejects lack.

Next Game: Tonight, Blue Jays in Pittsburgh. This is the Hall of Fame induction night and who ever elected this team had a big miss by not putting Bob Friend on the inaugural team. The man pitched 15 years for the Pirates and threw 3480 innings. He had a lifetime ERA+ of 108, Fielding Independent Pitching of 3.33, and WHIP of 1.287. His W-L record was 191-218 but he pitched on the early 50’s teams that were as bad as the 2022 Pirates. I know that is hard to believe, but it’s true. He was a main cog of the 1960 World Champions and was a pitching work horse 2nd to none. This was just a huge oversight, and just shows how little the electors knew about Pirate history. Then I have one final question that I might have missed on the telecast last night. Is Michael McHenry’s baby due in November or December?

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Pirates, 32 Games to Go, Can They Do It

The Pirates have one month and 32 games to go to complete this awful by design season. The statistics speak for themselves, and I will quickly go through them. On the hitting side of things, the on base percentage is .287 ranking 28th. They have scored 3.56 runs per game ranking them 28th. Their OPS+, which is a league comparison of overall hitting, is 81 ranking them 29th. They are 18th in hitting home runs which is the only category they’re not in the bottom 10. The pitching is not much better. They allow 5.11 runs per game which is 27th. Their Fielding Independent Pitching is 4.28, ranking them 24th. In ERA+, the comparison stat on pitching, they are 90 ranking them 27th. They continue to be the worse fielding team in baseball. The only good stat for team is they are 18-19 in one run games. That is a pretty amazing stat considering they are 32 games under .500 overall and have lost 25 games by 5 or more runs. This is a team that is going for the number 1 pick in the draft next year.

The other goal of the 2022 season has been to keep as many players as possible under team control until the 2028 season. That goal has been accomplished. The following will not be free agents until the 2028 season, with the number of games played in parenthesis: Oneil Cruz (58), Cal Mitchell (44), Jack Suwinski (74), Diego Castillo (84), Tucupita Marcano (45), Rudolfo Castro (71), Bligh Madris (39), Hoy Park (66), and Jason Delay (37). This obviously will be core for next year’s team. Pirate management has made plenty of excuses for the way they reduced these players playing time. Player development is the big one, but we all know it is simply about player control. Despite the fact, that this team for the most part, has been an embarrassment to the game of baseball, management has had a great season.

Fortunately for baseball fans, the Pittsburgh Pirate season is drawing to a close. I was surprised to see for tonight’s game there will be 8 of the 2023 Pirates in the starting line up with only Tyler Heineman at catcher to desecrate the game. This will be the third time this year that 7 or more of the 2023 Pirates have been in the starting lineup. Currently the group is 2-0. With overall number 1 pick in the 2023 draft (they are only 5 ahead of the Nationals in the loss column) in managements sight, it will be interesting to see what Derek Shelton will try to do to thwart the 2023 Pirates from going 3-0. Josh Van Meter will be ready to pinch hit from the 1st inning on. The big question for the remainder of this season, will be whether or not the Pirates will settle for the 2nd or 3rd pick. Who knows? Only Derek, The Shadow, Shelton knows for sure.

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Pirates Morning Report, Routine Plays And Throwing Strikes

How The 2023 Pirates Did: There were 6 of the 2023 Pirates in the starting lineup and none of them really distinguished themselves. This was probably the worst game that the group has played. Ke’Bryan Hayes and Oneil Cruz each committed errors on routine plays. The group only got 2 hits, with Cruz, Hayes, Delay, and Chavis going 0 for 14, striking out 6 times, with no walks. All in all, it was not a good day for the 2023 Pirates. Zach Thompson pitched a nice 4 innings but why he was taken out after 62 pitches, with an overworked bullpen, I will never know. Even though it was not their fault the left-handed relievers scoreless streak ended at 8 and a 1/3 innings. The bullpen gave up 8 walks and 5 hits but only gave up 4 earned runs, and 2 of those were walked in with the bases loaded. This was one gift wrapped win for the Brewers.

Key Moment of the Game: The entire bottom of the 7th when the Brewers scored 4 runs on just 3 hits and were walked 4 times. Two of the batters had 2 strikes on them when they walked. It was a painful inning to watch. From the 5th inning on, the whole game was painful to watch. The failure to make routine plays and throw strikes, makes you not want to watch the Pirates on a full stomach. In fact, it makes you not want to watch the Pirates on an empty stomach.

Next Game: Friday, Blue Jays in Pittsburgh. The roster will expand to 28 so there is no telling what the Pirates will do. Right now, they are in a dead heat with the A’s and just 5 up in the loss column with the Nationals, in the battle for the worst record in baseball. The overall no. 1 pick in the draft is not out of the question. It will take some doing, but Van Meter, Allen, Newman, Gamel, and Heineman are ready. The Pirate brass will have 24 hours to think of ways to put more scum on the field. They may not even have to try that hard, because 15 or the next 18 games are against playoff contenders and division leaders. Despite the bad game yesterday I still would like to see about 10 games this year where the 2023 Pirates take the field.

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Pirates Morning Report, 2023 Pirates Win Again

Final Score: Pirates 4 Brewers 2

How The 2023 Pirates Did: For the 2nd time this year, there were 9 out 10 2023 Pirates in the starting lineup. For the 2nd time they won, with the group playing an excellent game against another playoff contender. They got all the hits and drove in all the runs. Oneil Cruz went 2 for 4 with a walk, driving in 2 runs and scoring another. He drove in the big insurance run in the 9th. Michael Chavis came out of his funk with 2 hits including a home run that tied the game. Bryan Reynolds had 2 hits and Rudolfo Castro got a hit and an RBI by walking with the bases loaded. The rest of the bats unfortunately were silent. Mitch Keller had a great comeback start striking out 10 in 6 innings and hopefully his arm fatigue is fine, since the Pirates allowed him to throw 105 pitches. The left hand relievers stretched their scoreless streak to 8 innings, be still my beating heart. But the game ending scintillating double play pulled off by Castro and Cruz said it all. Not only was it a great way to end a great win, but do you think the opening day 2b-SS combo of Kevin Newman and Hoy Park would have pulled that off. Only one guess allowed. Here is my guess. NOT A CHANCE IN HELL.

Key Moment of The Game: It was the aforementioned magnificent double play. It was not a hard-hit ball, but Castro made a great throw to 2nd and Cruz’s bullet like throw to first made the play not even that close, leading to my first fist pump of 2022. Go Bucs Go!

Next Game: This afternoon, Brewers in Milwaukee. It is unlikely we will see 9 of the 2023 team this afternoon but you never know. Delay probably won’t catch being a day game after a night game. The other 29-30 year old slugs shouldn’t play but probably will. There has to be at least 7 in the starting 9 for me to consider it a 2023 game. Right now, the 2023 team is 2-0. I can hardly wait for the 3rd win opportunity.

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Pirates Morning Report, As The Ball Flies

Final Score: Pirates 5 Brewers 7

How the 2023 Pirates Did: There were 7 of the 2023 Pirates in the lineup last night thanks to a late scratch, which put Jason Delay behind the plate, who drove in one of the five runs. They got 7 of the 10 hits and drove in all 5 runs. The big blow was the 3-run homer by Oneil Cruz, which gave the Pirates a 4-3 lead. In the next inning Rudolfo Castro hit a solo blast to extend the lead to 5-3. Michael Chavis had a tough night going 0 for 5 with 3 strikeouts. The left-handed relievers extended their scoreless streak to 5 and 2/3 innings. Unfortunately, the backend of the bullpen failed.

Key Moment of The Game: When Will Crowe was brought into the game. I think he has just run out of gas. He has seen a lot of high leverage situations this year and for the most part has performed well. This is his first year as a full-time reliever and I think it has taken its toll. He faced four batters, with one getting a single and two hitting home runs to win in walk off fashion 7-5. There were certainly other options out there, but The Shadow chose not to use them.

Next Game: Tonight, Brewers in Milwaukee. The 29 to 30 year old rejects were back in the lineup with the exception of Greg Allen. Tyler Heineman almost started, and I am sure we will be lucky to see 6 of the 2023 Pirates in the lineup tonight. Mitch Keller goes to tonight and I think he needs to have a good start. Even though he had a horrible looking line in his last game, he did seem to come back ok from his “arm fatigue”. Let’s hope there are good results tonight.

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Pirates Morning Report, Welcome to 2023

Final Score: Pirates 5 Phillies 0

How The 2023 Pirates Did: The big news is they got to play. Nine of the 10 players that started should be on the 2023 Pirates. I consider this nothing short of a miracle. They delivered big time too. I don’t even know where to begin. First, they all got hits. Everybody got one hit with Castro getting 2. They got 4 of the 5 RBI’s. They had 3 triples. I have to give the game ball to Tucupita Marcano. He got 1 hit and drove in 1 run but it was that outstanding defense at 2b that really stood out. In the bottom of the 7th, he started the inning ending double play. Then made 3 good to spectacular plays in the bottom of the 8th getting the assist on all three outs. This allowed DUJ to have a 6 pitch 3 up 3 down inning, another miracle. Then he made another spectacular play to throw out Bryce Harper, to start the bottom of the ninth. It has been a long time, since we have seen plays like that, made at second base. Bravo! Roansy Contreras pitched a solid 5 innings striking out 7, giving up 0 runs, on 3 hits and 2 walks. It was just a grand day for the 2023 Pirates, who finally got to play as a unit. I am sure it will be a while before we see that again as the quest for the no. 2 pick will continue this week.

Key Moment of The Game: In the bottom of the 4th the Phillies got the first two men on base via 2 singles. Then Contreras struck out the next batter and got another one to hit a soft blooping liner to Oneil Cruz. However, he walked the next batter to load the bases with 2 out. On the first pitch to Edmundo Sosa, he hit a line drive, but pretty much right at Bryan Reynolds to end the inning. After that the Phillies never really threatened again, as Contreras and the bullpen only gave up 1 hit and 1 walk the rest of the way. Another lefty added two more shutout innings, which now puts the total at a season high 4 straight innings that left-handed relievers have not given up a run. What has gotten into these guys. Did they read my article? Ha!

Next Game: Tonight, Brewers, in Milwaukee. I am sure we will see the 29 to 30 year old rejects tonight, but that was some fun game yesterday. I know it was only one game, but you can’t take that pure joy away, watching those young guys play ball. We have a little more than a month to go in the season, and I hope we get to see similar lineups at least a few more times. We can only hope.

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Pirates Morning Report, Full Steam Ahead For The 2nd Pick in The Draft.

Final Score: Pirates 0 Phillies 6

How The 2023 Pirates Did: They only had 5 players in the starting lineup, and no one really distinguished themselves. Reynolds and Hayes were particularly bad at the plate going 0 for 8 with 4 strike outs. Marcano, Madris, and Cruz each got a hit, but no one really hit the ball hard. Beede continued to show that he should never start a game, but I am sure he will. The only good thing was that believe it or not the left-hand relievers CAME ALIVE. They faced 6 batters and struck out 5, HOLY SWING AND A MISS. See, when your behind 6-0 it’s easy to throw that ball over the plate with some movement.

Key Moment of The Game: If the Pirates had any chance of getting back in the game it ended in the top of the 5th when they got the first two batters on base with nobody out. Tyler Heineman made an out which you would expect. Then Kevin Newman came to the plate and had the typical Pirate at bat. Took the first pitch right down the middle for a strike. I mean it split the plate right in half from top to bottom. Then he shockingly took a ball. Then he fouled off a ball that was 6 inches above the ground, where he obviously thought his knees were. Then he finished off this great at bat, by swinging at a ball that was a foot outside, for strike 3. Bryan Reynolds ended the inning, with an equally bad at bat, by striking out. Unfortunately, this did not end the game. The Pirates had to come to bat 4 more innings and looked just like fools, getting one lucky double and a walk. For the game they struck out 12 times. They made Kyle Gibson look like Bob.

Next Game: This afternoon, Phillies in Philadelphia. We at least get to see Contreras today and maybe 7 or more of the 2023 Pirates in the starting lineup. Seven straight losses, and we are now only 2 ahead of the A’s. If we fall behind them, we will get the 2nd pick in the draft next year. We are solidifying are chances by picking up another slug off waivers, to put in the bullpen. There really should be an investigation but even though it seems obvious, it would be hard to prove that the Pirates are losing on purpose. Unfortunately, this will pay off in the long run. Major League Baseball only has itself to blame.

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Pirate Morning Report, Foul Balls, Anyone

Final Score: Pirates 4 Phillies 7

How The 2023 Pirates Did: Six of the 2023 Pirates were in the starting lineup last night. Bryan Reynolds came out of his mini funk by hitting a home run and driving in 2 runs. Rudolfo Castro went 2 for 4 and hit a solo home run. The rest of the group did not fare so well. Jason Delay had a particular bad day at the plate, striking out twice and grounding into a double play, when the Pirates had runners on 1st and 2nd with one out in the top of the 7th. That is the inning that Greg Allan bunted so he could get the feeling of the ball hitting his bat. Ke’ Bryan had a double and Oneil Cruz walked and that was about it for the offense of the 2023 Pirates. Castro was involved in some fielding errors in the first, one physical and one mental. It was just a fair day for the 23 Pirates.

Key Moment of The Game: What a first inning. Bryse Wilson threw 43 pitches and 14 of them were hit for foul balls. Only 8 balls were put in play. That left 20 that were balls or swings and misses. The half inning took 24 minutes to play with no pitching change. It was reported that 10 older fans fell asleep and slipped out of their seats, suffering minor injuries, and 3 wanted their money back. The Pirate defense was terrible, the Phillies scored 4 runs and were headed for a relatively easy victory. I have never been a big Bryse Wilson fan, but he deserved a better fate.

Next Game: Tonight, Phillies in Philadelphia. I do not understand why the Pirates are trying to make Tyler Beede a starter. In June and July as a reliever he pitched 26 innings and gave up 5 earned runs. As a starter in the month of August, he has pitched 12 innings and given up 10 earned runs. I would love to hear the explanation. Just bring somebody up from AAA and give them a shot. I am still waiting for 7 of the 2023 Pirates to start a game. When will Newman or Gamel have “scheduled” day off like the aging Reynolds or Hayes.

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Pirates Morning Report: The Left Hand Reliever Saga

During the 2022 season, the Pirates have trotted out an array of left-handed relief pitchers. The number is 8 to be exact. Even though it is easy to look up all 8 relievers I will only name 2 of them in this blog. After all, the other 6 have families and friends, probably some children, and let’s face it, they all stunk. These relievers should have a special place in the hearts of all Pirate fans. Without these relievers the Pirates probably would have won at least 10 more games. These relievers have helped the Pirates achieve their goal of 2022 in acquiring a top 5 draft choice in 2023. The Pirates may even get a better pick than that. We are not going to get into heavy analytic stats, just some basic pitching numbers to show how much they have contributed to this goal. I feel that each of these 6 relievers should receive at least a $250,000 bonus at the end of the year, unless they start to improve their performance.

The lefties have thrown 107 innings plus and have given up 72 earned runs. See, I am being kind and not even mentioning all the runs they gave up. This comes out to an ERA 6.06. Dillon Peters who pitched early in the season and is now on the IL, with left elbow inflammation, threw 39 of those innings and had an ERA of 4.58. When you take out his numbers, the other 7 had an ERA of 6.88. In the 107 innings they gave up 111 hits, walked 52 and struck out 99. They almost got up to a strike out per inning but just could not quite do it. When you consider a lot of the time, they were brought in to face left hand hitting batters, these are pretty amazing numbers. I will admit, as bad as these numbers are, I thought they would be even worse. Let’s put it this way, they looked a lot worse doing it. You would think that the Pirates would have to do something in the free agent market to help this situation out in 2023, but maybe not.

If Dillon Peters can come back fully from his injury that will be a big plus, but that may be a big if. There was a left hander, who made a very brief appearance this year, Cam Alldred. He is not even on the 40-man roster, but pitched one inning giving up no runs, 1 hit and striking out 1. He graduated to AAA in the middle of last year and has pitched all of this year there. His numbers have been very good. He has appeared in 39 games, 37 in relief, has an ERA of 2.09 in 64 innings. It will be interesting to see if he might be a September call up. On the other hand, because he seems to be doing so well, they might not, since the drive for the number 1 overall pick in the draft is really heating up. Right now, the Pirates would get the 4th pick. However, they are in a dead heat in the loss column with the Tigers. They are only 3 ahead of the A’s and believe it or not they are just 6 ahead of the putrid Nationals. The loss column is the important number, because any late games that would be cancelled due to weather may not always be made up, unless it affects the playoffs. With 38 games to go the Pirates are smelling blood. Expect to see a lot of Heineman, Allen, Van Meter, Newman, Gamel, and those left hand relievers, as management strives for the worse record in baseball. Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!