Azubuike24;1459610 wrote:...and why is Choo running there? Woefully bad execution by Cozart or Choo...or both.

But an amazing throw by Martin

Pirates defense has been great thus far this series and the Reds have been underwhelming

mhs95_06;1459621 wrote:I missed seeing that! Same thing, but on a grounder to 3rd, that really helped Wheelersburg's rally in the bottom of the 7th to win their 2nd state title in a row.

It takes a little luck....we got knocked out in the regional finals on a dropped routine in LF and a slap that deflected off pitcher's glove with 2nd baseman ready to field.....we were up 2-0 in the 6th, lost 3-2 and that team freaking won it all!

se-alum;1459618 wrote:BP swingin' at everything comin' toward the plate.

The 0-1 pitch was the one he should have hit, but just fouled back for 0-2 which he wasn't able to survive this time.

The Pirates are good but they are far more susceptible to losing to the mediocre and sucky teams....the Reds will just keep beating them probably at a .600 clip.....and the Pirates bullpen is used too much, be shocked if they hold up past July.

Strike out 17 batters and lose 4-0. Unreal.

sherm03;1459667 wrote:Strike out 17 batters and lose 4-0. Unreal.

Crazy

Yeah....whiff 17 and lose by 4

Dumbasses

We need someone unlikely to start the game thread for tomorrow. I swear for the last 3 weeks it's been W,L,W,L,W,L, etc...I know the team did win 3 in a row last week, but still. We need a long streak...

I'm 10-4....but still mad at you

Ironman92;1459631 wrote:The Pirates are good but they are far more susceptible to losing to the mediocre and sucky teams....the Reds will just keep beating them probably at a .600 clip.....and the Pirates bullpen is used too much, be shocked if they hold up past July.

That's my main worry. Or a combination of bullpen burning out combined with overachieving pitchers coming back to earth (ie: Jeff Karstens in '11; James McDonald last year). You have guys who are either untested or proven to be average or a bit better pitching lights out...and that doesn't seem to hold up for a full year, especially when they get used a lot. Like, I noticed that during the exact same period of time where LeCure for you guys got rocked a few times, the same thing was happening with Justin Wilson (who plays much the same role as that ace long/middle guy). Doubt that's a coincidence since both guys were in that "we can ALWAYS count on him" role and getting used a lot -- LeCure because he's been your best bridge guy by far and Wilson because when the starters only go 5-6 innings, he's getting used a lot.

But looking at Pittsburgh's pitching line-up right now...on the bright side, they can get a lot healthier with Burnett, Wandy and more on the DL.

On the negative side, there are a lot of guys pitching WELL above expectations. No one thought Locke's inability to consistently work late into games would be the only thing keeping him from being an ace so far this year. Or that Grilli would magically transform into the best closer in baseball. Or that Melancon would rebound from his Boston disaster of last year to be an elite set-up guy. Or that Liriano would seemingly reclaim the form he had early in his career with Minnesota. Or that it wouldn't matter that Jarod Hughes and Tony Watson aren't the pitchers they were last year because Wilson and Bryan Morris would step in and be better than those two were.

Something's going to give at some point and if the offense doesn't start picking up the slack more often, it could get ugly again when it does.

Heretic;1460110 wrote:That's my main worry. Or a combination of bullpen burning out combined with overachieving pitchers coming back to earth (ie: Jeff Karstens in '11; James McDonald last year). You have guys who are either untested or proven to be average or a bit better pitching lights out...and that doesn't seem to hold up for a full year, especially when they get used a lot. Like, I noticed that during the exact same period of time where LeCure for you guys got rocked a few times, the same thing was happening with Justin Wilson (who plays much the same role as that ace long/middle guy). Doubt that's a coincidence since both guys were in that "we can ALWAYS count on him" role and getting used a lot -- LeCure because he's been your best bridge guy by far and Wilson because when the starters only go 5-6 innings, he's getting used a lot.

But looking at Pittsburgh's pitching line-up right now...on the bright side, they can get a lot healthier with Burnett, Wandy and more on the DL.

On the negative side, there are a lot of guys pitching WELL above expectations. No one thought Locke's inability to consistently work late into games would be the only thing keeping him from being an ace so far this year. Or that Grilli would magically transform into the best closer in baseball. Or that Melancon would rebound from his Boston disaster of last year to be an elite set-up guy. Or that Liriano would seemingly reclaim the form he had early in his career with Minnesota. Or that it wouldn't matter that Jarod Hughes and Tony Watson aren't the pitchers they were last year because Wilson and Bryan Morris would step in and be better than those two were.

Something's going to give at some point and if the offense doesn't start picking up the slack more often, it could get ugly again when it does.

This is why I was surprised that Hurdle took Morton out so early with so few pitches thrown.

se-alum;1460181 wrote:This is why I was surprised that Hurdle took Morton out so early with so few pitches thrown.

I was pissed during Locke's last start when he got taken out after 7 innings and 75 pitches with the reasoning being that Melancon and Grilli needed work. Because they apparently don't pitch enough. SMH...

Last night, I could see it to a degree. Morton's control was getting worse and Hurdle made comments recently that he was going away from pitch counts and more toward "gut instinct" and, from a gut instinct perspective, I could see why he'd do what he did, considering it was a close game. Don't know that I agree with it, but I can understand it. And on the Pirates blog I read, Hurdle gets questioned about his decision-making about as much as Dusty does here and I don't recall reading anyone wondering why.

Heretic;1460195 wrote:I was pissed during Locke's last start when he got taken out after 7 innings and 75 pitches with the reasoning being that Melancon and Grilli needed work. Because they apparently don't pitch enough. SMH...

Last night, I could see it to a degree. Morton's control was getting worse and Hurdle made comments recently that he was going away from pitch counts and more toward "gut instinct" and, from a gut instinct perspective, I could see why he'd do what he did, considering it was a close game. Don't know that I agree with it, but I can understand it. And on the Pirates blog I read, Hurdle gets questioned about his decision-making about as much as Dusty does here and I don't recall reading anyone wondering why.

I think Hurdle is in the same intelligence boat as Dusty and Charlie Manuel. I think the players respect the hell out of Clint and would battle like crazy for him (because they've seen him go battle for them.) I think Hurdle is an overall pretty good manager for a younger type team, but see him like Dusty come playoff time.