Updated Playoff Races - 10/3 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 went 3-4 against the Orioles and Rays allowing them to gain ground. The Rays could jump both teams as they play three against each this week. 1. NY 79 – 61 -- (Off ... Read More
Pirates swept by Cubs
Pirates fans hopes of making the playoffs are starting to fade away as they were swept this afternoon by the Chicago Cubs. With a home stand against two of the worst ball clubs in the league, the Bucs finished with a record of 2-4. Jeff Locke had a solid start for the Pirates. He pitched six innings and allowed two runs. The bullpen did not help out his solid effort though as Jason Grilli blew the game in the top of the eighth, for the second game in a row. After the Bucs fought back to tie ... Read More
Injury bug effecting playoff race (AL Update)
These are injuries that have been sustained within the last month. (Courtesy of MLB.com) With only three weeks left in the regular season there are many key injuries to contending teams. Today we will look at the AL contenders. (Look for the NL update next week). AL East The Yankees seem to have the upper hand as they are getting two of their big guns back. The Orioles took a hit with Markakis breaking his thumb while the Rays hope David Price’s injury is minimal. Balt – Jim Thome ... Read More
Pirates lose in late innings to Cubs
The Pirates have lost the first two games of the series to the Chicago Cubs as they were, for the second time this year, dominated by Jeff Samardzija. The Pirates struck early against Samardzija as Pedro Alvarez drove in two runs on a single. The Bucs loaded the bases that inning, but were only able to get two. James McDonald started for the Pirates and once again was off of his game. He only pitched 5.2 innings and allowed three runs on seven hits, one of the runs coming off an Alfonso ... Read More
The Pirates commit seven errors in 12-2 loss to Cubs
Before each game, Kristy Robinson and I try to predict the Pirates' starting pitchers line. Today was A.J. Burnett. We both had Burnett going 7.2 innings and dominating the Cubs. As for the runs, I said I could see a few unearned runs coming and told Kristy that I felt a couple errors were going to happen that would cost the Pirates. I had no idea it would be this bad however. It started with a Brock Holt error in the first that would eventually lead to Luis Valbuena scoring. But for Holt, ... Read More
Jason Grilli: The turn around of a career
The bullpen for the Pirates this season has been a huge key to the teams’ success, and Jason Grilli has perhaps been the most effective pitcher out of it. The veteran reliever has played in the major leagues with Florida, the Chicago White Sox, Detroit, Colorado, Texas, and Pittsburgh throughout his career. While pitching for the Pirates this year, Grilli has seen fantastic success as the eighth inning set up man. “I was never an eighth inning guy and I never had this opportunity up until this ... Read More
Attendance for contenders down across the league
Attendance numbers for Tuesday, Sept. 5 (Contenders Only) SF: 41,038 - 1st Place in the NL West LA [NL]: 40,619 - 1 Game behind 2nd Wild Card StL: 34,108 - 2nd Wild Card spot Det: 27,729 - 1 game back in AL Central Cin: 17,806 - 1st in the NL Central TB: 17,652 - two Games behind 2nd Wild Card Was: 17,648 - 1st Place in NL East Atl: 16,686 - 1st Wild Card spot Chi: 15,698 - 1st Place in AL Central Pit: 12,785 - two Games behind 2nd Wild Card Oak: 11,688 - 2nd ... 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
Berardi’s baseball update: The race is heating up
Updated Playoff Races - 10/3 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 Baltimore took two of three from the Yankees over the weekend to close the gap in the East. New York had a seven-game lead at the start of August but the Orioles won't go away. 1. ... Read More