Earlier this week, we took a deep look at the Pittsburgh Pirates roster battles by position. Today we will take a gander over to the pitching staff, where several key changes have once-again given the Bucs a new look on the rubber. The 2012 Pirates opened the season with veterans LHP Erik Bedard and RHP Kevin Correia at the back of the rotation, both expected to provide the team with solid innings pitched. Bedard was a total flop, never regaining any semblance of the form he had shown in ... Read More
Is this another ‘what if’ offseason for Pirates?
Looking at the Pirates moving forward into the 2013 many people keep hearing the same thing like they have for the last 20 seasons - The ‘if’ Factor. For two decades they would either trade for or sign a player that may have had good numbers in a previous season and always say things like, “If he returns to form it will be a great deal.” After two epic season collapses in a row, it is time to get the guarantee players instead of continually getting gambles. Taking a look at the first ... Read More
MLB top 50 free agents
25 - 1 Last week, MLB Trade Rumors came out with the top 50 free agents for the 2013 season. Here they are with their 2012 stat line and what they believe to be a good fit for that player. This doesn’t mean those are the teams that these players will go to, it’s only a prediction. 25) Joe Saunders (3 – 3, 3.63 ERA, 23 K’s, 7 G w/ Baltimore) - Orioles 24) Stephen Drew (.25 AVG, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 39 G w/ A’s) - Red Sox 23) Marco Scutaro (.362 AVG, 3 HR, 44 RBI, 61 G w/ Giants) - ... Read More
MLB Top 50 Free Agents
50-26 Last week, MLB Trade Rumors came out with the top 50 free agents for the 2013 season. Here they are with their 2012 stat line and what they believe to be a good fit for that player. This doesn’t mean those are the teams that these players will go to, it’s only a prediction. 50) Jeremy Affeldt (63 1/3 IP, 57 K’s, 2.70 ERA) – Giants 49) Eric Chavez (.281 AVG, 16 HR, 37 RBI, 113 G) – Yankees 48) Jeremy Guthrie (5 – 3, 3.16 ERA, 56 K’s, 14 G w/ Royals) – Pirates 47) Sean Burnett (56 2/3 ... Read More
Giants play complete game, roll to game one victory
Giants 8 – Tigers 3 It is a manager’s dream; stellar pitching, timely hitting, and a performance only The Babe and two others could equal. That’s what the Giants had going for them in game 1 of the fall classic. Barry Zito shut the Tigers down to the tune of one run on seven base runners (one walk) in 5 2/3 innings pitched while the bullpen allowed two runs on two hits in 3 1/3 to help the Giants to an 8-3 victory. Justin Verlander, on the other hand, did not have a good night as Pablo ... Read More
Giant Comeback Completed – San Francisco advances to World Series
San Francisco will be back in the World Series for the second time in three years thanks to three straight wins over St. Louis in elimination games. The Giants are 6-0 in elimination games this postseason, something the Cardinals had done last year on their way to the title. The Giants put this game out of reach early and with the help of Matt Cain and his fellow bullpen teammates as they were able to keep the Cardinals from pulling off another deciding-game comeback. Cain went 5 2/3 innings ... Read More
Playoff Preview: San Francisco Giants
The Giants, surprisingly, had an easier route to the NL West title than people thought. Everyone had the Dodgers as the favorite after acquiring Adrian Gonzalez and Josh Beckett at the trade deadline which was supposed to solidify a strong lineup. It didn’t, and the Giants pulled away to take the crown while LA missed out on the playoffs altogether. The Giants pitching staff, which consists of five starters that started 30+ games and won at least 10, is anchored by Matt Cain, who took over as ... Read More
The Pirates are the ex-boyfriend that breaks your heart
A relationship between a fan and their team is no different than that between a man and a woman. Just like the last guy I dated, I thought this Pirates' season was the one. Finally, everything was falling into place and we were destined for greatness, or at least a few steps above the mediocrity that I’ve allowed myself to accept for the majority of my life. But I was wrong. Think back to July. The Pirates spent the bulk of the month battling for the division, win after win distancing ... Read More
The Pirates second collapse could be worst season in 19 years
It's happened. It's officially happened. I've remained mum on the situation for the past month or so, but tonight was the nail in the coffin. The Pirates officially are a losing ball club with their loss to the Brewers tonight. .500 was the dream for fans for the better part of two decades and this had to be the year. There were nothing but talks of making the playoffs because .500 was a given. Seriously, 16 games over .500 in late July, how could it not happen? The simple question is who ... Read More
Berardi’s baseball update: Second NL wild card is wide open
Updated Playoff Races - 10/17 Every week I will update you on the playoff races going on in the majors along with who those teams will face in the upcoming week. (Take note, All GB are based on loss column ONLY. I don’t believe in the ½ game stat because those are games that can be controlled by a team. AL East The Yankees and Orioles both went 4-2 last week allowing New York to keep a one-game lead. Tampa Bay has fallen off the pace and is five back. 1. NY 83 – 63 -- (Off Day, 3 vs. ... Read More