Good afternoon from a rainy PNC Park where tonight the Pirates (2-1) will begin a 3-game series with the defending NL Champion, St. Louis Cardinals (2-1) in a rematch from last year’s NLDS. Gerrit Cole (10-7, 3.22 ERA in 2013) will take the hill for the Bucs and will oppose Shelby Miller (15-9, 3.06 ERA in 2013).
Hurdle’s Quotes
On the competitiveness of the Pirates and Cardinals when they face each other — “Last year, we were 12 and 12 at the end and they won the biggest one which was the last one. We were They were 9-10 on the season and 3-2 in the playoffs. We wiped them out here one time and we went there and they wiped us out. Two good teams that like playing each other, respect each other. They have set the bar very high — organizationally speaking — within our industry from a pitching standpoint, from a consistent offensive standpoint. They continue to find internal options more often than not. When they don’t, externally they’ll go out and theyll make a major move if they feel that’s needed.”
On Gerrit Cole’s success with the curve — ” I think it answered many of your questions after his first few starts and why the number of strikeouts weren’t where you thought they would be. Guys can hit 90-10 here (upper 90’s – 100 mph). You can throw 110 in this league and guys are going to hit it. You mix spin, you mix late-life, especially top-to-bottom tilt like he was able to do. That became a seperater, It’s a seperater for Adam Wainwright, too. He’s been doing it for years and he doesn’t have to throw 96-97 to do it. When you have a plus-fastball and you can locate it and then you can throw something with hard spin late down and throw it for strikes. That’s what makes you special.”
On Gaby Sanchez not being in the lineup the first four games — “Part of it right now is he’s got a really good matchup on Sunday with Wainwright as far as what we have, what they have. I do think it’s important that we get some of these guys, guys like Snider. There is a little bit of a common factor that we’re looking to give him the best chance to have some success early on and what I’ve seen early on is I want to give Ishikawa involved, in the lineup based on how he had swung the bat in spring training to see if we can continue with some traction along those lines.”
Other Notes
— Tonight marks Gerrit Cole‘s first regular season start against the Cardinals. He went 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in two postseason starts, beating Lance Lynn at St. Louis in game 2 (6 IN/2 ER) and suffering a loss to Adam Wainwright at St. Louis in game 5 (5 IN/3 R/2 ER).
— Starling Marte has reached base safely in all 15 of his games against the Cardinals, hitting safely in 14 of the 15. He has gone 19-for-57 (.333) and has posted a .415 OBP in his career vs. St. Louis.
— Last night, Clint Hurdle accepted the Arthur J. Rooney Award which is presented annually at the Art Rooney Award Dinner, benefiting the Catholic Youth Association, to a “Pittsburgher” for their outstanding contribution to the city and their leadership qualities.
First pitch is set for 7:05.
Starting Lineups
Follow @TBerardi_OVA
(Photo Credit:Getty Images)
