Results tagged ‘ West Coast Road Trip ’
Pirates West Coast Woes Part 2: Giants Not So Playful This Year
Confession: I have not watched a single inning of the Pirates-Giants action this weekend. This is partly due to my busy schedule but also due to the fact that every box score tells the same story that is frighteningly becoming the anthem of the Pirates 2012 season (and the rest of the league too, the Pirates are just the worst offenders).
The Pirates got perfected gamed by Matt Cain with the exception of James McDonald, something that both players are probably shocked about in retrospect. Honestly, the struggle was somewhat expected. The Pirates struggle with elite arms and based off of his contract, Cain has become an elite arm in the MLB.
Things just continued to get worse for the Bucs last night as a 3-3 ninth inning was broken after a Clint Barmes throwing error. Honestly though, the Pirates have played fantastic defense and odds said that would have to end at some time. With bases loaded and no out, fans should expect to lose, unfortunately the West Coast jinx found a way to make the loss that much more painful.
The thing about last night’s game as well was that the Pirates offense came alive early and really helped Charlie Morton. Morton only lasted 5 innings and 71 pitches, but the Pirates came out of his outing tied and didn’t let the game get away. Small moral victory, but it’s better than losing 1-0 with no offense, right?
Today’s game will place the Bucs against former Pirate Ryan Vogelsong as Erik Bedard takes the hill. Vogelsong is in the same situation as Morton was last night, so drawing out plate appearances will shorten his firs start back from AAA rehab. If there is a game the Pirates can win on this swing, this would be it.
Let’s Go Bucs!
Pirates West Coast Road Trip Preview: Dodgers
The Bucs get to enjoy their back-to-back walk off wins for a day before they grab a plane for the west coast. The Pirates open up against the Dodgers, Giants and D-Backs, a lineup of good, playoff caliber teams.
First up for the Pirates and it’s the Dodger Blue and they Bucs get an unwelcomed surprise. Clayton Kershaw only lasted three innings into his last start before having to leave with flu-like symptoms. Now he is fully recovered and ready to start against Kevin Correia. Even worse for Correia is that the Andre Ethier is batting .500 against him while never striking out.
The Dodgers are 3-1 after a four game set against the Padres. The Pirates will probably want to play more small ball with the Dodgers, but their lineup is arguably more potent than Philadelphia’s. The Dodgers have Ethier, NL MVP Runner-up Matt Kemp and James Loney who can all hit for power.
The Pirates have typically struggled against the Dodgers in the past and last year the Bucs won just two games against LA. The bats will need to wake up for this game as it is unlikely (but possible) that Correia can repeat the performances of his rotation mates. If the Pirates can hold on to momentum and win the opening game, it would be tremendous with Bedard taking the mound for his second start.
The Pirates will more than likely drop 2 of these 3 games, but if the games stay close, I definitely trust Hannerhan to hold on to games if the Bucs can get to him.
