Tag: pittsburgh pirates

Posted on

Pirates Morning Report: Skenes + Big 2 Out Crooked Number=Win

Final Score: Pirates 7 Reds 0

Why The Pirates Won: Paul Skenes was his usual brilliant self going 6 innings giving up 2 hits, 1 walk, while striking out 9 batters. In the last 26 out of 27 innings the Pirate’s pitching staff has not been scored upon while allowing 11 hits, walking 4, and striking out 33 batters. Then there’s Bednar. The Pirates put up the big crooked number in the bottom of the fifth, thanks to control issues by Nick Lodolo, a botched run down play, and big hits by the Cruz not brothers, to score 6 runs. Ben (The Pitcher From) Heller watch continues, going another 2 scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 10.61.

Key Moment Of The Game: In that 6 run bottom of the 5th, the Pirates had the bases loaded thanks to 2 walks and a hit by pitch. There were 2 outs, with Bryan Reynolds at the plate. He hit a ground ball up the middle that Elly De La Cruz made a nice stop on and flipped the ball to second. Isiah Kiner-Falefa made the unusual move of just running through the bag and not sliding. He was ruled safe and when the Reds botched up the rundown the Pirates still had the bases loaded and led 1-0. The Pirates would have led 1-0, but the inning should have been over. Joey Bart got hit by a pitch to make the score 2-0. The Pirates scored 2 runs up to that point with only 1 hit and it did not leave the infield. Bryan De La Cruz hit a big 2 out double to clear the bases and this game was over. Thank you, Cincinnati Reds.

Next Game: Tonight, Reds in Pittsburgh. Barry No Falter Insurance goes for the Pirates and despite the win last night I can’t really generate much enthusiasm for this team. The win was related more to the Red’s incompetence than the Pirates skill. The Pirates are to the point where they have to win all of these games against the Reds and Cubs before they can even remotely think about being in the playoff hunt again.

Posted on

Pirates Morning Report: After Several Missed Opportunities, Bednar Made Them Pay

Final Score: Pirates 0 Rangers 1

Why The Pirates Lost: Despite getting 8 hits, 2 walks, one hit by pitch, and one Ranger error, the Pirates could not push a run across the plate. They were retired in order 3 times, so they did all of this in 6 innings. They were 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base. They struck out 16 times. All of this wasted a surprisingly strong start by Domingo German. He went 6 innings giving up 0 runs, 3 hits, walking 4, striking out 4 while throwing just 75 pitches. Kyle Nicholas and Aroldis Chapman pitched a solid 7th and 8th striking out 5 of the 6 batters they faced. The Pirate pitching staff had held the Rangers scoreless for 22 innings. So far in this game they had given up just 3 hits. In came David (You Should Have Scored Some Runs) Bednar to pitch the bottom of the 9th. The first pitch was hit between first and second and Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s throw from his knees was off line but a normal 1st baseman would have been able to stay on the bag. Of course, we have Tellez. On the 3rd pitch of the inning Adolis Garcia singled to left to put runners on 1st and 2nd. A long fly to right on the 5th pitch of the inning moved the runner to 3rd. Bednar struck out the next batter just to tease us. Wyatt Langford put the Pirates out of their misery with a single to center to win the game. I will say, it was a pretty good pitch on the inside of the plate that he was able to muscle into the outfield.

Key Moments Of The Game: Top of the 2nd, bases loaded 1 out, no runs. Top of the 5th bases loaded 2 outs no runs. Top of the 7th, 1st and 2nd, no outs, thanks to base running blunder, no runs. There were other chances but these were the worst. It is just too painful to write about this game any more.

Next Game: Tonight, Reds in Pittsburgh. Paul Skenes opens the 7 game home stand in 7 days and I can guarantee you he won’t have any trouble making another start before the end of the stand. Enough said, but the pitching staff could not have done much more yesterday. You just can’t overcome an incompetent offense.

Posted on

Pirates Morning Report: Cruzin With Keller

Final Score: Pirates 4 Rangers 0

Why The Pirates Won: Mitch Keller had a great bounce back start going 7+ innings allowing only 3 hits, no walks, while striking out 9. The Rangers never had a runner in scoring position the entire game. The Cruz boys Oneil and Bryan De La drove in a total of 3 runs in the 4th inning which was more than enough for the Pirates to win. It was a totally dominant performance by Keller and the bullpen cruzed (I can’t help myself) home to complete a nice win for the Pirates.

Key Moment Of The Game: After going 9 up and 9 down Isiah Kiner-Falefa started the 4th inning with a single to left. Bryan Reynolds and Joey Bart both struck out. Conner Joe on an odd looking swing hit a ball right down the right field line that appeared to hit off the wall back onto the field for a triple and yippee the Pirates had a 1-0 lead. Wrong, odd ground rule breath. The ball hit the railing above wall and a book rule double was the call and the run was taken off the board. The Cruz gang came through to overcome such bad luck, with Bryan De La getting a line drive single that could only be short hopped by the Ranger’s center fielder, and Oneil lined a triple just over the glove of the Ranger’s right fielder to give the Pirates a 3-0 lead that was never threatened.

The Next Game: This afternoon, Rangers in Texas. We don’t know who is starting today for the Pirates. A series win would be very nice on the road. It would be great momentum going into the next 7 home games against the Reds and the Cubs. I wonder if Shelton realizes that. Probably not, but maybe the Pirates will win anyway.

Posted on

Pirates Morning Report: Seager 4, Pirates 3

Final Score: Pirates 3 Rangers 4

Why The Pirates Lost: When your 1,2,3,5 and 6 hitters go 1 for 19 with 6 strikeouts, you are not going to win many games. Grandal batting 6th is a mystery to me. I’m in San Diego right now where the Padres are playing the Twins. Carlos Santana and that great glove has hit 18 home runs, slugging .428, has an OPS+110 and a 1.9 WAR. The Pirates saved 2 million dollars by signing Rawhide Rowdy Tellez who has 10 home runs, slugging a whopping .388, an OPS+ 90 and a negative 0.3 WAR. I wrote out the word negative just to emphasize the fact that he stinks. I am sure Bob Nothing is so happy he saved 2 million while he thinks of an excuse not to pitch Skenes on Wednesday. Ortiz pitched a decent game going 6 innings, striking out 7, walking one and giving up 5 hits. However, he grooved 2 pitches right down the middle to Corey Seager, paying the ultimate price as he blasted 2 home runs to drive in all 4 runs.

Key Moment Of The Game: Even though it was counteracted by the Jarod Triolo’s 3 run homer an inning later, the 3 run homer by Seager was the key hit of the game. It was the first pitch of the at bat and it could not have been more grooved down the middle, even if Ortiz had tried to do that. With that Pirate lineup you just had the feeling it was going to be enough to win the game. The Pirates had a few minor threats the rest of the game but could not get the big hit. The are thoroughly entrenched in last place a full 14 games behind the Brewers. The management team should be so proud.

Next game: Tonight, Rangers in Texas. Mitch Keller starts tonight and we will see if he can get his act together after two horrendous starts where he has given up 15 runs in 9 innings of work. Those are Ben Heller kind of numbers. Maybe Grandal will bat clean up tonight.

Posted on

Pirates Morning Report: Bounce Back Win, Bullpen Redemption

Final Score: Pirates 4 Diamondbacks 2

Why The Pirates Won: The bullpen came through last night in the name of Kyle Nicholas, Aroldis Chapman, and David (Shaky) Bednar. Bryan Reynolds and Joey Bart provided the offense with Reynolds hitting a 2 run home run and Bart hitting a solo shot and driving in another run. It could have been a rain delay disaster because it took Mitch Keller out of the game. It looked like the Pirates were going to have a 5th inning implosion.

Key Moment Of The Game: The Pirates brought in Dennis (Please No More Close Games For Me) Santana. He quickly loaded the base giving up 2 his and hitting a batter. In came lefty Jalen Beeks who had not been all that impressive in his 1st two outings for the Pirates. The top of the Diamondbacks order was coming up. You could see a big crooked number coming up. But Beeks came through getting a pop up and a strike out. He walked in a run but it was a great battle between him and Joc Pederson. He struck out Pirates killer Josh Bell to end the inning giving up only one run. It was indeed bullpen redemption.

Next Game: This Afternoon Diamondbacks in Pittsburgh. The Pirates have a shot to win the series with Paul Skenes going today. It would be nice to see some offense behind him. Almost a must win today.

Posted on

Pirates Morning Report: .500 Road Trip Locked UP

Final Score: Pirates 6 Astros 2

Why The Pirates Won: For two days in a row it was the .200 club that contributed mightily to this win. It is not often you win a game when your 3-4 hitters in the lineup go 1 for 10 and strikeout 7 times. Jared Triolo and Michael Taylor went 2 for 7, with 1 walk, driving in 3 runs. Barry Falter pitched a nice 5 and 1/3 innings coming back from the IL. He gave up 1 earned run on 6hits, walking no one. Dennis Santana came in the bottom of the 6th to snuff out the rally and pitched a scoreless 7th inning. In his last 7 games he has 9 and 2/3 innings and has not given up a run, while striking out 16 batters. Whether it is the change of scenery, or he and the Pirates found something, he has been lights out over his last 10-11 appearances. Glad I was wrong about him. Kyle Nicolas and Hunter Stratton finished up. Even though they had some issues, the Astros failed to score any runs and the Pirates had pretty much of a stress-free win.

The Key Moment Of The Game: In the top of the sixth there were two out, nobody on and Jared Triolo was behind in the count 0-2. Over the next 6 pitches Triolo battled to get a walk. Michael Taylor for the second straight day hit a big 2 out home run to make the score 5-1 Pittsburgh, which gave the Pirates a very nice cushion. The Astros did get a run in the bottom of the inning but never had a major threat going for the rest of the day. The Pirates got the final run on a bases loaded walk to Andrew McCutchen to clinch the series win.

Next Game: Tonight, Astros in Houston. The Pirates will start recently acquired Jake Woodford. He has had an up and down career. Let’s hope he has an up night so the Pirates have a shot at getting the sweep. The Pirates made modest noise at the deadline, which should help the team some. I will discuss that more when the Pirates make their final roster moves. Right now, just basking in the glory of a 3-game road winning streak, against some pretty good competition.

Posted on

Pirates Morning Report: Unlikely Heroes Even Up Road Trip

Final Score: Pirates 5 Astros 3

Why The Pirates Won: The .200 Club won this game. Yasmani Grandal, Michael (I Refuse To Write The A) Taylor and Jared Triolo all had big hits to help win this game. Taylor in particular had the big game going 2 for 3 with a homer and 3 RBIs. Paul Skenes had another solid outing allowing only 1 earned run on 5 hits, walking 3, striking out 6, while throwing 101 pitches. He was not his sharpest, but if Ke’Bryan Hayes makes the play on a ground ball, it might have been a double play, and he would have given up 0 runs. This game was very similar to the previous win except the Pirates tied it in the 8th and took the lead in the 9th. The bullpen had another shaky bottom of the last inning but held on to pick up the win. No matters what happens on the rest of the trip, it cannot be consider a disaster.

Key Moments Of The Game: Oneil Cruz’s double to tie the game and Michael Taylor’s 3 run homer to give the Pirates a 5-2 lead came when 2 were out. David Bednar came in to get the save in the bottom of the 9th. After quickly getting one out, things began to go awry. Victor Caratini singled up the middle. Bednar walks the next batter. Jose Altuve singles to left to load the bases. Alex Bregman hit a 102 MPH liner that Michael Taylor was able to snag for the 2nd out. Up to the plate stepped the ever-dangerous Yordan Alvarez who was already 2 for 4 with an RBI. The Pirates decided on a gutsy move by giving him nothing to hit walking him to make the score 5-3 putting the winning run on base and the tying run in scoring position. It paid off as Bednar got Yainer Diaz to pop out to Cruz to end the game. Whew!

Next Game: Tonight, Astros in Houston. Barry Falter returns tonight and at least he is not facing a top of the rotation guy. A 3-3 road trip has now become more of a possibility. More so than the Pirates doing anything to really improve this team. We have about 11 hours to find out.

Posted on

Pirates Morning Report: Punchless Pirates Lose Again

Final Score: Pirates 3 Diamondbacks 4

Why The Pirates Lost: In the last 7 innings of the game the Pirates scored 0 runs on 3 hits. The 4 through 7 hitters went 2 for 14. The team was 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position. They left 9 men on base. The Diamondbacks tried to help out by walking 3 and hitting 2 batters but the Pirates refused to take advantage. Oneil Cruz looked like he was suffering from jet lag, his at bats were so bizarre. He took 2 out of 3 strikes to strike out on 3 pitches. To make up for it on his next at bat, he swung at all 6 pitches even though only 1 was in the strike zone, to strike out again. On his 4th at bat, he took 2 strikes and then could not hold up on a pitch that was almost over his head. Mr. Cruz is 6′ 7″. Luiz Ortiz for the first time in a long time had control issues. In just 5+ innings of work Ortiz gave up 3 runs, 5 hits, walking 3, striking out 4, while throwing 93 pitches. With this offense you have to do better than that.

Key Moment Of The Game: It was 3-1 Pirates going into the bottom of the 6th inning. Ortiz had been dancing through the raindrops giving up just 1 run. The inning started off with a bang when Joc Peterson hit an 0-2 fast ball 453 feet to make it 3-2. Then Ortiz walked the next batter and was done for the day. Out went Ortiz and in came Carmen Mlodzinski, who also seemed to be jet lagged. In 5 pitches he gave up 2 singles and before you could say how do spell Mlodzinski, the score was tied 3-3. If the Pirates would have somehow won this game, the next play would have been the play of the game. Eugenio Suarez hit a line drive but right at Ke’Bryan Hayes and he threw out the runner at 1st to complete a very fortunate double play. Mlodzinski took the game into his own hands by throwing a wild pitch to make sure that the Diamondbacks would win the game 4-3. The Pirates never really threatened the rest of the way and the road trip started with a loss.

Next Game: Tonight, Diamondbacks in Arizona. Marco Gonzalez starts for the Pirates tonight and apparently has a good record against the Diamondbacks. When will this team ever get offensive help. The Pirates are 2-3 in their last 5 games. The offense has averaged barely over 2 runs per game. They completely wasted an impressive performance by Paul Skenes. Management continues to do nothing.

Posted on

Pirates Morning Report: All Star Break, Part One

The Pirates made it to .500, 48-48 thanks to a finishing 4 game winning streak. The Pirates are 7-0 against the Marlins and the White Sox. I will never belittle those wins. The Marlins beat the Reds in the last game before the break. This does beg the question, did the Pirates really improve, or did they take advantage of poor competition. In the 3 phases of the game, hitting, pitching, and defense, let’s see what happened. They got a lot better pitching, stayed the same hitting, and surprisingly got worse on defense since we last took a look at the Pirates, 31 games ago. Let us look at the team numbers first. The offense continues to stink but at least they did not get worse. If you listen to the broadcast booth you would think this team is ready to become the 27′ Yankees. Dream away child. In runs scored they are still at 20th in the league at 4.19 runs per game. In on base percentage they have fallen to 27th from their lofty perch of 24th. In the comparison stat OPS+ there are now only 2 teams in all of baseball that hit worse than they do. There is no question their pitching has gotten them to .500. They showed vast improvement in every category. In runs allowed they went up to 14th from 19th. In fielding independent pitching, they had a huge improvement going up to 7th in baseball from 19th. In the comparison stat of ERA+ they went up two places to 12th. Going through each position and area according to WAR the Pirate rotation is hitting elite status as they are ranked 3rd in all of baseball. Too bad the rest of the team can’t even come close to that. The next highest ranked position is left field where Bryan Reynolds has played the most at 12th. Where the Pirates stink the most is centerfield (30th), pinch hitting (26th), catcher (25th), right field (22th), and the bullpen (22nd). Then we come to what I feel is the most disappointing part of this Pirate team the defense. In defense efficiency which takes in all aspects of a team’s defense not just errors, the Pirates now are 25th, falling 8 places. Essentially, they are one of the worst fielding teams in the league.

Looking at the individual players here are the culprits that are having horrible offensive seasons up to this point. OPS+ is the comparison stat on how a player compares with his constituents. It takes into consideration the run scoring environment, the competition and the ballpark the player plays in. It comes out simply a whole number with 100 being league average. Being a league average hitter is absolutely fine and if the Pirates had about 8-9 hitters at league average or above, they would probably be in first place. Here are the Pirate players that probably could not get a hit even if there were only 5 players on the field. Their OPS+ is in parenthesis. Yasmani Grandal (42), Ke’Bryan Hayes (74), Michael Taylor (53), Jared Triolo (59), Jack Suwinski (63), Henry Davis (45), and Alika Williams (48). With the exception of Hayes, these players are hitting at a rate of 37 to 48% worse than the league average. Even though I know this won’t happen, there is not one single reason that I can think of for these players to be on the team when play resumes after the break. More on that in part 2. Even with his hot 6 to 7 weeks Rawhide Rowdy Tellez sits at 92. What Rowdy are we going to see after the break. The April May Rowdy or the June July Rowdy. The other aspect of the Pirate game that will have to improve is the bullpen. You cannot be the 22nd best bullpen and make the playoffs. Hopefully the defense will improve just by the normal course of events.

Finally let’s set the record straight. This is not the second half of the season. The season is 60% over. The Pirates have played 96 games and there are 66 games to go. With the expanded playoffs the last two years, 87 and 84 wins have made the final playoff spot. Both years that final playoff spot made it to the World Series. Let’s compromise here and say it will take 86 wins to make the playoffs. The Pirates would need to go 38-28 to get to that point. I do not see that happening in the team’s current state. In my view the Pirates need 2 outfielders, a catcher, and at least on more bullpen arm. How they will go about that or even if they will go about that will dictate how this season will go. Part 2 on Friday.

Posted on

Pirates Morning Report: Getting To .500

Final Score: Pirates 9 White Sox 4

Why The Pirates Won: A total offensive performance against a very bad team gave the Pirates a very nice win. Everybody but Jack (Packing My Bags) Suwinski got on base at least once. Six players scored runs and 6 players had RBI’s. The team had 12 hits with 7 being extra base hits. They struck out 6 times. For whatever reason Mitch Keller only went 3 innings giving up 2 runs on 4 hits, walking 3, while striking out 3. The bullpen gave up 2 runs on 6 hits, but stop the presses, Colin Holderman had a clean inning 3 up, 3 down in the 8th. Dennis Santana pitched the 9th again showing he may be the best low leverage pitcher in baseball.

Key Moments Of The Game: The White Sox did a great Pirate imitation going 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position and leaving 10 men on base for the game. Joey Bart’s 3 run homer was huge in the top of the 4th but this was a close game 4-3 after 6 innings. In the top of the 7th, after one out, Bryan Reynolds walked and Oneil Cruz bounced a single to right field to put runners on 1st and 3rd. Nick Gonzales hit a line drive to left field that Andrew Benintendi made an awkward diving attempt to catch the ball. The ball got by him clearing the bases making the score 6-3. Gonzales wound up at third on an overturned call triple. The Pirates added 2 more on a sacrifice fly and back to back doubles by Ke’Bryan Hayes and I am still not writing his name down. The game was over and the Pirates had won 4 in a row.

Next Game: July 19, Phillies in Pittsburgh. The Pirates go from playing one of the worst teams in baseball to the team with the best record in the National League. There will be two Pirates Morning Reports during the break. One on how the Pirates have done so far and the second on what if anything the Pirates should do at the trade deadline, which could be a lot trickier than it would first appear.