If the Milwaukee Brewers could pick one opponent to play for an entire season, it likely would be the Pittsburgh Pirates considering the latter’s lack of success at Miller Park. The latest example came in this game, a 2-1 loss to the Brewers. Following a rocky second inning, A.J. Burnett settled in retiring 10 straight Brewers hitters. Burnett would last seven innings allowing two runs and striking out six batters while using 99 pitches. The hiccups came in the second inning when Burnett ... Read More
Why haven’t the Pirates won for the past 20 seasons? Look at the draft.
I’ve always stuck up for the Pirates. When numerous friends always reminded me of how bad they were over the years, I’d say that they were going in the right direction. I was certainly wrong a lot of those years, but I sincerely believe that the Pirates are actually going in the right direction at this point in time. My optimism is more about the way that the Pirates are approaching the draft and international signing than the fact that they were playing meaningful baseball after the All-Star ... Read More
Smelling blood in the Shark Tank
Much criticism has been given to the job that General Manager Neal Huntington has done with the Pirates since he took the position. A lot of it has been warranted, but one thing that you can't criticize Huntington for is the job that he has done with building the bullpen. The Pirates 'pen, or the aptly nicknamed Shark Tank, has been dominate once again this season. Much of the success can be directed towards Huntington and the moves he has made over the past few seasons. Let's take a look, ... Read More
Liriano outduels Samardzija in 1-0 win
There's always that one pitcher that seems to dominate the Pittsburgh Pirates, but struggles against the rest of the league. Seriously, think about it. It happens every year. The past couple of seasons, it's been Jeff Samardzija of the Chicago Cubs. Samardzija doesn't just have a name that sucks to spell throughout an article, but he's been a pitcher that has been a thorn in the side of the Pirates his whole career. In his career, Samardzija was 4-0 with a 0.92 ERA entering play. Nothing against ... Read More
The Pittsburgh Kid is Just Another Second Baseman
About 20 minutes before each game at PNC Park, the scoreboard rolls the player introductions. During the Saturday Night Live themed entrances, it's no surprise that Andrew McCutchen receives the biggest pop from the fans. It's only fitting that the first player since Barry Bonds, who was showered with "MVP, MVP" chants last year, would be the fan favorite. There is, however, one player that comes close in rivaling McCutchen for the title of most popular Pirate. No, it isn't A.J. Burnett, ... Read More
Travis Snider is hitting his stride
When Travis Snider was quickly making his way through the minor leagues, scouts raved about his raw power. One of the more known scouting reports said he was “dripping with power.” Yet, in the Major Leagues, he has yet to produce the long ball. But that might be starting to change. Snider was drafted out of high school by the Blue Jays. He hit double digit home runs in his first two minor league seasons. Then in 2008, he crushed 23 home runs between high A, AA, and AAA. This led to his major ... Read More
Snider’s home run lifts Bucs over Cubs
Through five innings, Matt Garza was nearly perfect on the mound, and at the plate. Unfortunately, the relievers behind him, were not. A pinch-hit grand slam from Travis Snider off reliever Shawn Camp spoiled Matt Garza's 2013 debut as the Pirates won 5-4, Tuesday night. Garza had a no-hitter through 4 1/3 innings before Clint Barmes's one out single in the fifth inning and a two-rbi double in the second inning. The Cubs got out to a 1-0 lead on Darwin Barney's two out RBI. With runners ... Read More
Bad Umpires Control Baseball
It should have never happened Saturday night. The Pirates shouldn't have relinquished an eighth inning lead to the lowly Astros, nor should they have allowed Jose Cisnero and Jose Veras to shut them down for the final 4 2/3 innings. But they did and the Pirates lost 4-2 in 11 innings. The most frustrating thing to me though, was the way Home Plate Umpire C.B. Bucknor conducted himself after making the controversial call at the plate in the top of the 11th that allowed Jason Castro to score on ... Read More
Locke-down: Pirates win 1-0 as Jeff Locke goes seven scoreless
The Pirates' recent success over the Houston Astros continued, Sunday afternoon, as the Pirates defeated the Astros 1-0 in one of the shortest games this season. Jeff Locke went seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out four as he out-dueled Houston's right hander, Lucas Harrell whose quick starts led to a game time of just 2 hours and 24 minutes. "Harrell was very good today but Locke was just better...[Locke's] fastball wasn't where he wanted it to be, ... Read More
Astros win in 11 innings; Snap Pittsburgh’s win streak at four
Jose Cisnero pitched 3 2/3 innings of shutout ball and allowed the Houston offense to plate two runs in the 11th as the Astros defeated the Pirates 4-2, Saturday night. AJ Burnett allowed five hits, one run, and walked four while striking out seven over seven innings. His counterpart, former Pirate Erik Bedard, threw six innings allowing seven hits and two runs while striking out three. The Astros loaded the bases with one out in the top half of the first, but AJ Burnett struck out Chris ... Read More