The Pirates go into Wednesday’s National League Wild Card game with a chance to recreate the magic of a year ago. This time around, things could come somewhat easier as they are not the new kid in town. Last years postseason run has this squad confident and comfortable of the surroundings they are about to enter. For guys like Neil Walker, this is just another game.
“I don’t think you have to approach it a different way,” said Walker. “I think the fact that it’s just one game to go to the next round is so interesting and different that it makes things much more exciting, but as players, we can’t let that type of emotions get to us. We have to lock in on what we’re trying to do with our approach and see where we are after nine innings.”
It will be another matchup against a tough ace in Madison Bumgarner, who the Pirates were able to rough up early in his only start this season in San Francisco. His numbers are better on the road — 11-2 in 18 starts with a 2.22 ERA in 125 2/3 innings — but it doesn’t phase Russell Martin, who expects to start tomorrow behind the dish.
“It’s just one game,” said Martin. “The other team is going to be ready. The numbers say that Bumgarner has been good on the road. We’re expecting him to have his good stuff and it’s going to be a battle. It’s just one game. You have to give it your best that day and you have to play better than them to win and that’s what we’re expecting to do.”
Josh Harrison didn’t see playing time in last year’s Wild Card game, but will be starting at third this time around after a heroic effort during the regular season that saw him earn a starting spot and a runner-up finish behind Justin Morneau in the N.L. batting race. During this season’s matchup against Bumgarner in San Francisco, Harrison went 2-for-2 with a walk and a home run, but he isn’t letting his guard down as Bumgarner can take control of a game at any time. Especially during the postseason where the Giant is 3-2 with a 3.79 ERA in seven starts.
“He’s a pitcher that we’ve faced a couple of times. We faced him last year and faced him this year,” said Harrison. “It’s postseason baseball. We know what’s at stake. We know what he throws. I know he’s going to be amped just like we are. It’s just a matter of seeing what he’s got tomorrow and taking it from there. Baseball is different. As a pitcher, one pitch might not be working or a pitch may be working. It’s something we’ll have to wait and see for tomorrow and we’ll take it from there.”
On the other side of the diamond, Edinson Volquez quietly put up one of the National League’s most solid second half of baseball where he went 11-3 in 21 starts since the beginning of June where he dropped his ERA from a 4.30 to a 3.04. This strong streak is why he will be taking the mound on Wednesday night instead of Gerrit Cole — who manager Clint Hurdle decided to use on Sunday to try and force a division tiebreaker game — and Francisco Liriano, who would be pitching on three days rest.
Andrew McCutchen believes Volquez is the perfect weapon against the Giants because everyone is underestimating the job that he has done over the past four months.
“People overlook Volquez and that’s a good thing,” said McCutchen. “For us, that’s a good thing. I hope the other teams are thinking ‘Volquez? Why didn’t they start Cole or Liriano?’. That’s good that they are thinking we’re making a mistake because the next thing you know, we’re going to be that snake in the tall grass and we’re going to pounce up and bite you and they’re not going to be expecting it. Volquez has been the most consistent pitcher for us this year and people don’t see that. He has been really consistent for us and seems to be getting stronger as the season progressed. We could have gone with anyone, but Volquez is ready to go and he will give us a good game.”
Another weapon in the Pirates arsenal is the fan base, who did this last season.
Walker and others know that the fans are a 10th man in Pittsburgh and it can give players a boost of energy. Sometimes, too much of a boost to where the players need a few innings to get back into their groove. Last year’s home Wild Card game is a good learning experience in how to keep emotions in check.
“That’s going to help us, but at the same time, we’ll know what to expect and it will help us to try and lock in on what we’re supposed to do earlier than we did last year. It took a good four or five innings last year to kind of calm down last year.”
Bumgarner doesn’t expect the crowd to effect him in any way during the game.
“it just makes it fun Its not like football where you cant hear the plays we’ll be prepared,” said Bumgarner.
For the ones like Gregory Polanco — who will be making his first playoff appearance — it’s all about keeping focus on the task at hand and not allowing the magnitude of the game bother him.
“Today, we’re all loose and happy,” said Polanco. “Tomorrow, I’m going to be a bit nervous. I’ve never been in this situation before. This is the game that I’ve been playing all my life, so I’m just going to do the same.”
Tomorrow, the Pirates look to do what they have been doing all season. Playing baseball, staying loose and not allowing adversity get to them.
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(Photo Credit: Travis Berardi / PSN)
