The Pittsburgh Pirates won their 19th series of the season winning the first two games of a three game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In the two games thus far, the Pirates were 5-4 [10 innings] and 6-5 winners.
Tonight, Charlie Morton [7-4 4.19 ERA] takes on Alex Wood [7-7 3.65 ERA].
Morton is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in one career start against the Dodgers which came on April 30, 2010. Morton won his last start against the Cincinnati Reds in which he pitched seven scoreless innings allowing five hits. It was his first win since June 27 and first road victory since June 5. Morton has a 4-1 record with a 2.52 ERA in six home starts this season.
Wood is making his second start as a Dodger. He lost on Tuesday to the Philadelphia Phillies. He allowed four runs on eight hits in 6.1 innings of work. He has a 5-4 record with a 3.03 ERA in 14 road starts this season. Wood is 1-2 in five career games [four starts] against the Pirates while posting a 2.57 ERA.
Morton is ready for some [fantasy] football: Once again this season the Pittsburgh Pirates will host a fantasy football draft. This year, the event takes place Aug. 29 and will feature Neil Walker, Morton, Jeff Locke and Tony Watson competing with fans.
Morton is very familiar with the fantasy scene having competed for the past three to four years. He takes his fantasy football very seriously and joins his wife Cindy in a couples league each year.
Last season, Morton went against the norm, drafting a quarterback back early.
“That was kind of weird, because usually you’re drafting running backs first,” Morton said. “I actually got a couple of decent running backs and I thought that was a decent strategy because I always feel there’s always a quarterback or a running back you can pick up through waiver wire in week three or four.”
The strategy paid off, however, as Morton finished in third place.
Morton cited his biggest successes as starting current Houston Texan Cecil Shorts III and former San Diego Charger Denario Alexander. His biggest regret was benching Julian Edelman during a two week stretch when he earned his highest point total of the season.
A lot of Morton’s decision making is based on four week scoring averages and warned his competitors that he will be actively making transactions this season, citing boredom.
The idea for the league was originated by St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright. This is Morton’s first season doing this.
Fans can join the league with a $1,000 donation or $1,500 if a team has co-owners. Proceeds for the event benefit Pirates Charities, the Pittsburgh Kids Foundation an Big League Impact Global Fund.
44 spots are available and the live draft will be August 29. Fans who purchase a fantasy team can watch the players take batting practice, get a bag with Walker autographed items, take a picture with the four Pirates and the winner will throw out a pitch at PNC Park in 2016.
Though the Pirates players will likely get competitive with each other, Morton expects the league itself to be more laid back.
“I think it’s the kind of thing where if they make fun of you, you don’t take it too seriously,” said Morton. “Some people do and it shows more about them than it does me.”
Bottom of the ninth: Reliever Rob Scahill [right forearm tightness] pitched in the Gulf Coast League and will report with the Pirates tomorrow. He will go to Double-A Altoona for a two inning, 40 pitch appearance on Tuesday.
Jordy Mercer [left knee MCL Sprain] will see his rehab stint begin earlier then anticipated. To date, Mercer has missed 17 games and is expected to go on a rehab assignment as soon as Tuesday. It was previously reported that Friday would be the date he went on the assignment which will be with Triple-A Indianapolis. Josh Harrison [left thumb surgery], who has missed 27 games thus far will still go out on his rehab assignment Tuesday.
The Pirates are 12-5 on Sundays this season and Walker is batting .349 in Sunday games… Mark Melancon is the third pitcher in team history to post 35 or more saves in a season joining Mike Williams [46 in 2002], Jose Mesa [43 in 2004] and Joel Hanrahan [40 in 2011 and 36 in 2012]… A victory tonight for the Pirates would be the 12th sweep of the season a major league best and would also be the first sweep of the Dodgers in Pittsburgh since May 31-June 2 of 1999… The Dodgers lead the San Francisco Giants by 3.5 games in the National League West.
Photo credit: John Minchillo/AP Photo
