Everyone knew about the collapse part two. 16 games over .500, only to fall under the mark. The worst collapse in baseball history as pointed out by Jayson Stark. Technically, the Pirates would still be able to avoid it. They just had to win six of their last six games against two teams who have clinched playoff berths. To reference Dumb and Dumber: So you're telling me there's a chance? The most loyal Pirates fans kept the faith, even if they really didn't believe it. Even if the Pirates ... 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
Will this season be successful if the Pirates miss the playoffs?
At this point last month, you were considered negative for saying the Pirates were going to collapse and miss the playoffs. The city was in. The true fans and bandwagon fans alike had this team's back. The players believed and the clubhouse was more alive than ever. The public relations staff had to send out an email about ways to purchase playoff tickets. The last time that happened, email was hardly around. The fans waited 19 years for this. They've waited 19 years of constant reminders that ... Read More
Brock Holt the everyday shortstop?
I'm pulling for Brock Holt. I really am. I was excited to watch him collect four hits last night as the Pirates defeated the Astros in a crucial game. Heck, I like Holt a lot just for the hashtags that people use around his name. (Lightning Holt, Party like a Brock-star, Brock you like a Hurricane are some of my favorites). But as expected when a player does well in his first handful of games, especially when they can play middle infield, the question comes if this guy can play shortstop or ... Read More
Pirates lose fourth in a row, fall 5-1 to Astros
The Pirates are a tough team to figure out. Within a two week span, they got swept by the Padres before taking two-of-three against the Cardinals. Just when it looks like they figured it out, they get swept by the Brewers in Milwaukee with their three best pitchers starting for them. Thank goodness for the Buccos, the Dodgers, Cardinals and other teams in the wild card race are struggling as well. Entering today's game against the Houston Astros, the Pirates remained just 1.5 out of the race. ... Read More
Pirates led by Pedro and a Wandy-ful performance on ESPN
It's been seven years since the Pirates have been a nationally televised game on ESPN. That was prior to to the All-Star game in Pittsburgh. No one on this current team was here. Last season, John Kruk was pushing for the mothership to make an appearance in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, the Pirates were out of the race by the time ESPN considered it. So with their success last year, ESPN had to consider a trip to Pittsburgh at the beginning of the year right? Actually, no. In their N.L. Central ... Read More
An MVP on the field and a big kid off it – McCutchen does it all
On any given evening at PNC Park, you will hear multiple cheers and multiple jeers ring throughout the north shore stadium. Whether it's cheering on your favorite pierogies, or it's booing Ryan Braun, the fans get into the game. There is however, one that sticks out more than the others. "M-V-P, M-V-P, M-V-P." Not since the times of Barry Bonds in the early 1990s was a Pittsburgh Pirate worthy of this praise. Not only does Andrew McCutchen boost a line of .345/.411/.568 with 24 home runs ... Read More
Following setbacks, Jeff Clement finds his way back to Pittsburgh
When the Pirates traded fan favorite Jack Wilson to the Seattle Mariners just two days before the trade deadline, the main asset they were getting back was first baseman Jeff Clement. Clement was one of the bigger prospects for the Mariners at the time and to start the 2010 season, he won the everyday job at first. Unfortunately, Clement made a bigger impact in his Pepsi commercial chatting it up with Alfonso Soriano than he did on the field for the Pirates that year hitting just .201. ... Read More
Opportunistic Pirates make Brewers pay in 4-0 win
In baseball, especially when you're struggling like the Pirates are, you have to strike when your opponent makes a mistake. Thankfully for the Pirates and their fans, that's exactly what they did. With matching scoreless frames going into the bottom of the fifth, it was an error to lead off the inning by center fielder Carlos Gomez to allow Neil Walker to reach. Now errors are costly for teams, but in no way did the Brewers, Pirates or any of the 37, 568 in attendance see it being this ... Read More