Just got swept by the Pirates while making Maholm, Morton and Burres look like All-Star Game candidates (PROTIP: None of them are). And went from second (behind the Cards) to fourth (also behind the Reds and Pirates) in the process. And you have the highest-paid middle reliever in the history of baseball...his shutout inning in one of those losses justified the $17M or so he's getting this year!

More seriously, although it is fun to rib on a less successful franchise than my Pirates, it is great to see Pittsburgh actually perform above expectations for once. When they're off, they get utterly murderized (20-0, 17-3, WTF!)...but if they're on, they seem to pull out every game. 13-15 and third place in the division...better than I was expecting. If they can get semi-consistent quality pitching, I think they can contend for .500 finally. If the pitching remains as it has been for the duration of the season, they'll wind up in the 65-68 win category.

uh oh...the Pirates will be the heavy favorite going into their series against the Tribe....LOOK OUT!!

That's still 1-2 months away, isn't it? Pittsburgh has PLENTY of time to get off a good 17-game losing streak to be back in their usual place by then.

^^^^^Please don't jinx them

Don't worry, your cubs get to play my reds this weekend.