***Official Pittsburgh Pirates 2014 Thread*** (1 Viewer)

[fred_1_15301]

Wow I knew things were going south but I didn't realize they were this bad. Third collapse in four years. Better luck next year fellas.

braves just had an 8-game losing streak and have turned it around a bit.

pirates are only 2.5 games out of the wild card. it's time to turn things around, but let's not panic yet.

Honestly if we make the wildcard, it would be nothing short of a miracle. How many teams could withstand the key injuries that the Buccos have had (Cutch, Liriano, Walker, Martin, Cole, Marte), the HUGE regression of Pedro, regression in team defense and HUGE regression in bullpen? I don't have a clue how we are over .500. I honestly don't. Regardless, this team is currently not talented enough to make the WC. If we make the playoffs, we throw out a rotation of Liriano, Locke, Worley lol?

 

[monessen]

Long way to go. But my $$$ is on the Pirates slipping into the playoffs. The fact they've withstood forms of adversity speaks volumes. Would like to see a couple of veteran pick-ups for September. The squad is playoff-material due to the parity in the NL. If a few wins can be racked up against the big 3 rivals----CardsRedsBrewers---that'd speak volumes. Maybe the success is coming.

Very uncharacteristic for Pgh to lose as they did in the games 1 & 2 of the Braves series. But the win in game 3 rattled the Braves; they thought a sweep was a done deal. Really, I watched the SportsSouth post-game show for Atlanta and the folks interviewed were excessively disenchanted and must have repeated the same woulda, coulda, shoulda ad infinitum.

Cole is rounding into form at a time when an ace is vital.

Big disappointment----Nothing happens to the D-Backs for throwing at Andrew.

If Pgh accrue 85 wins with this roster and what's been foisted on him, Hurdle ought to be a serious candidate to repeat as NL Manager of the Year.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

Wow I knew things were going south but I didn't realize they were this bad. Third collapse in four years. Better luck next year fellas.

braves just had an 8-game losing streak and have turned it around a bit.

pirates are only 2.5 games out of the wild card. it's time to turn things around, but let's not panic yet.

Honestly if we make the wildcard, it would be nothing short of a miracle. How many teams could withstand the key injuries that the Buccos have had (Cutch, Liriano, Walker, Martin, Cole, Marte), the HUGE regression of Pedro, regression in team defense and HUGE regression in bullpen? I don't have a clue how we are over .500. I honestly don't. Regardless, this team is currently not talented enough to make the WC. If we make the playoffs, we throw out a rotation of Liriano, Locke, Worley lol?

If they get healthy there is no reason to think they are not a very dangerous team in the playoffs.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Wow I knew things were going south but I didn't realize they were this bad. Third collapse in four years. Better luck next year fellas.

braves just had an 8-game losing streak and have turned it around a bit.

pirates are only 2.5 games out of the wild card. it's time to turn things around, but let's not panic yet.

Honestly if we make the wildcard, it would be nothing short of a miracle. How many teams could withstand the key injuries that the Buccos have had (Cutch, Liriano, Walker, Martin, Cole, Marte), the HUGE regression of Pedro, regression in team defense and HUGE regression in bullpen? I don't have a clue how we are over .500. I honestly don't. Regardless, this team is currently not talented enough to make the WC. If we make the playoffs, we throw out a rotation of Liriano, Locke, Worley lol?

If they get healthy there is no reason to think they are not a very dangerous team in the playoffs.

Well they are healthy now so I guess we will find out. I'm not convinced that the bullpen is good enough. Based off last year, we all know how important that is.

 

[monessen]

Well, with September looming, I just want to go on record saying that, despite much adversity, the 2014 Pirates have shown even more character and resilience than last season's squad. They've really delivered by displaying more competitive heart than any fan or pundit could ask for. Their aggressiveness can be counterproductive at times, but so what?

I don't care what their record will be after 162 games. The players, coaches, and manager have overcome major obstacles. Overall, the talent isn't great; there are clear holes; the FO remains the stooges of weak ownership; some guys will sign for more $$$ with other organizations next year, etc. But what baseball fan, not just Pirate fan, can't help but admire this resourceful bunch? This is the antithesis of much more talented teams sleepwalking their way through a summer.

They warrant tremendous respect for what they've exhibited to date. What we've been watching defies all odds. I wouldn't bet against them.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Great post monessen. I know I come across as pessimistic but I truly believe that what this team has accomplished with all the injuries is nothing short of remarkable. Now that they're fairly healthy, I also would never bet against them. When this team is healthy, I agree that they're a legitimate playoff contender.

 

[monessen]

Thanks, Fred. No matter how they are getting it done, the thing is, they are!

 

[bweiser]

apparently, josh harrison had the game of a lifetime friday night.

or, at least, his best game this week, lol

seriously, though, this guy has been amazing. glad he made the all-star team and if anyone is paying attention, he should at least get a vote for MVP

 

[bweiser]

i don't know if it's enough to get someone fired, but not claiming broxton on waivers is going to be a very, very, very costly mistake.

 

[fred_1_15301]

This series with the Cards will convince me one way or another which direction this team is heading. If we win 2 out of 3 or better, I'm convinced we will make the playoffs. 1 out of 3 or worse and I think you can stick a fork in us. I know it's still early but that's just what I'm feeling. Cole hitting 98

 

[fred_1_15301]

Cards are just a professional winning team. No doubt in my mind they win this division.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Brewers are fading fast. We have a great opportunity to grab a WC spot. S.L. In postseason form.

 

[monessen]

With the 1-0 road loss to the Cards today, the Pirates are 27-27 in one-run games, with 191 scored and 191 allowed.

A 27-40 road record (.402 winning %) is among the worst in the NL. With only 9 of the remaining 23 games at PNC Park, it does not bode well unless the team can rebound against clubs like the Cubs.

 

[Timmypg]

The next 13 games are against sub 500 teams. We need a 9-4 run.

 

[bweiser]

The next 13 games are against sub 500 teams. We need a 9-4 run.

the cubs are probably playing better than the brewers right now.

gonna need to go 3-1 in philly. at least charlie morton won't be making his annual horrendous start at citizen's bank park (and i won't have to see it; please tell me he won't start).

 

[monessen]

Morton won't be starting anytime soon. He's never started 30 games in a season, never really channeled his "Halladay potential," and seems to be injured a lot.

Given how infrequently Travis Snider plays, it seems disproportionate to the amount of time he is laid up with something or another. Don't know what the nagging injuries for certain players except it being a possible consequence of PEDs, for instance, as if a Neil Walker suddenly becomes a big home run bat but misses games.

 

[monessen]

Department of For What it's Worth: The Pirates are 12-17 since McCutchen was plunked hard by Randall Delgado of the D-Backs, and had to leave the next day's game with rib pain.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Oh look who just passed the Brewers and Braves. Keep it up boys. This upcoming stretch is where we really need to separate.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

This is one of the most resilient teams I have ever seen.

 

[fred_1_15301]

This is one of the most resilient teams I have ever seen.

Yeah I like their chances to make the WC game and in a one game playoff, anything can happen. I think 85-86 wins should be enough. The remaining schedule is pretty easy as they avoid the top NL teams. Also, 4 game series with the Phillies and luckily avoid Hamels.

 

[monessen]

Looks pretty likely the Pirates landed their playoff spot with a win at Philly tonight. Many thanks to the Phillies for fielding a Triple-A squad out there as part of their effort to finish out 2014. Cubs coming in now to be slaughtered at PNC.

Still a decent chance to overtake St. Louis given the home games ahead. Boston doesn't look nearly as formidable as once presumed and may mail it in also.

 

[bweiser]

morton over worley in the rotation for the rest of the season? not sure how i feel about that.

 

[monessen]

Possibly trying to build Morton's confidence at home, where he does well, against a team with zero to play for. If Ortiz isn't playing at first-base, he's on the bench. This may not be an irrevocable move; Worley could still start with Morton being spotted against teams he may perform well against. And those starts won't be on the road.

I find it remarkable about one-third of the Bucs' games (51 of the 149) have them as 19-32 against the Reds-Brewers-Cards, and the other 2/3rds put them at 60-38. That .612 winning percentage against "everyone else" project to a 99-win season.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Braves are done. I'm rooting for S.L to take care of business. Given their schedule, I don't see us overtaking them for first

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

Really can't decide who I want to see win the Cards Brewers game tonight. I guess I want a sweep one way or the other.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Really can't decide who I want to see win the Cards Brewers game tonight. I guess I want a sweep one way or the other.

The Pirates are the best team in the division right now but the last thing we need is the Brewers staying hot. Let the Cards take care of the Brewers and hope that we can make up the 2 and a half games later on. I really just want to make the playoffs but I'm also not in love with the prospect of a one game playoff against the Giants.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

Really can't decide who I want to see win the Cards Brewers game tonight. I guess I want a sweep one way or the other.

The Pirates are the best team in the division right now but the last thing we need is the Brewers staying hot. Let the Cards take care of the Brewers and hope that we can make up the 2 and a half games later on. I really just want to make the playoffs but I'm also not in love with the prospect of a one game playoff against the Giants.

To have any shot of winning the division the Pirates need to sweep the Sox and have the Brewers at least take the series.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Really can't decide who I want to see win the Cards Brewers game tonight. I guess I want a sweep one way or the other.

The Pirates are the best team in the division right now but the last thing we need is the Brewers staying hot. Let the Cards take care of the Brewers and hope that we can make up the 2 and a half games later on. I really just want to make the playoffs but I'm also not in love with the prospect of a one game playoff against the Giants.

To have any shot of winning the division the Pirates need to sweep the Sox and have the Brewers at least take the series.

If they sweep the Red Sox, I would be very content with the Brewers winning that series.

 

[fred_1_15301]

This team is smoking hot right now. I'm definitely rooting for the Brewers tomorrow. The only thing that sucks is they get to avoid both Liriano and Cole.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

With the Giants and Cards winning today, I figure the Pirates would have to go 8-3 to have a shot at either the top WC or the division. that seems liek a lot to ask and still might not get it done. I might just be cheering for the Cards tomorrow. Milwaukee might fold with another loss.

 

[monessen]

Possibly trying to build Morton's confidence at home, where he does well, against a team with zero to play for. If Ortiz isn't playing at first-base, he's on the bench. This may not be an irrevocable move; Worley could still start with Morton being spotted against teams he may perform well against. And those starts won't be on the road.

I find it remarkable about one-third of the Bucs' games (51 of the 149) have them as 19-32 against the Reds-Brewers-Cards, and the other 2/3rds put them at 60-38. That .612 winning percentage against "everyone else" project to a 99-win season.

David Ortiz has been MIA against the Bucs so far. Actually, he presumably left KC Sunday to attend a family funeral . . . maybe. John Farrell wasn't clear. He said Ortiz "jumped on a flight" due to a family emergency. Ortiz tweeted on Monday that it was a family funeral. For whom? Unclear. Someone somewhere. If so, my the person RIP, and kudos to Ortiz for having his priorities in place because the Red Sox were at a UPS location on Monday mailing in the 3-game series at PNC with ample postage and piling up one run in the two games to date.

Here is a Deadspin video of Ortiz providing defensive "prowess" at first base at NL parks, underscoring his highly-paid DH status and entertaining the fans in Cincinnati back in August:

http://deadspin.com/david-ortiz-tracking-down-a-pop-fly-could-take-all-nigh-1620596529

Will Ortiz be in Pgh tomorrow? Had the Bucs elected to start a weaker right-hander than Cole Thursday night, maybe Cumpton, the odds would be better for Ortiz's stats. However, Ortiz likely headed to Baltimore for that weekend match-up. But, really, the Pgh locals didn't pay to see a 38-year old narcissistic guy whose biggest fan is himself. They paid to see the team win and secure their playoff status.

Ungracious post? Could be. So very sorry for not keeping it classy.

Ortiz? Guys like him do what they please when their team is way out of contention.

 

[fred_1_15301]

With the Giants and Cards winning today, I figure the Pirates would have to go 8-3 to have a shot at either the top WC or the division. that seems liek a lot to ask and still might not get it done. I might just be cheering for the Cards tomorrow. Milwaukee might fold with another loss.

I'm sort of wavering on this but I agree that it's probably a little better for the Cardinals to win. The Cards would have to either fall apart (which I don't see happening) or the Buccos would have to pretty much win out in order to overtake the division lead. Although the Brewers are inferior to the Pirates this year, we all know the success they've had against us. I don't like the prospects of a sweep potentially knocking us out of the wildcard spot. The Buccos can absolutely beat the Giants in a one-game playoff and actually I would predict that they win assuming Liriano is on the mound.

I think a lot of people will underestimate this team (compared to the other NL playoff teams) just because they're the Pirates. Liriano is pitching like a legitimate ace and Cole is a pretty decent # 2. After that, Morton and Volquez are both decent options. The bullpen appears to now be pretty set with Holdzkom, Watson and Melancon. We could probably throw in Worley and Locke into the pen and I think our pitching is set.

The lineup is healthy and one of the best in the NL quite frankly. Throw in the fact that they have a year of playoff experience and I absolutely think this team is capable of making a run.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

With the Giants and Cards winning today, I figure the Pirates would have to go 8-3 to have a shot at either the top WC or the division. that seems liek a lot to ask and still might not get it done. I might just be cheering for the Cards tomorrow. Milwaukee might fold with another loss.

I'm sort of wavering on this but I agree that it's probably a little better for the Cardinals to win. The Cards would have to either fall apart (which I don't see happening) or the Buccos would have to pretty much win out in order to overtake the division lead. Although the Brewers are inferior to the Pirates this year, we all know the success they've had against us. I don't like the prospects of a sweep potentially knocking us out of the wildcard spot. The Buccos can absolutely beat the Giants in a one-game playoff and actually I would predict that they win assuming Liriano is on the mound.

I think a lot of people will underestimate this team (compared to the other NL playoff teams) just because they're the Pirates. Liriano is pitching like a legitimate ace and Cole is a pretty decent # 2. After that, Morton and Volquez are both decent options. The bullpen appears to now be pretty set with Holdzkom, Watson and Melancon. We could probably throw in Worley and Locke into the pen and I think our pitching is set.

The lineup is healthy and one of the best in the NL quite frankly. Throw in the fact that they have a year of playoff experience and I absolutely think this team is capable of making a run.

I think it is easy to say they have the best lineup in the NL. They have scored more runs than anybody except Colorado and they started out the season really slow.

 

[fred_1_15301]

With the Giants and Cards winning today, I figure the Pirates would have to go 8-3 to have a shot at either the top WC or the division. that seems liek a lot to ask and still might not get it done. I might just be cheering for the Cards tomorrow. Milwaukee might fold with another loss.

I'm sort of wavering on this but I agree that it's probably a little better for the Cardinals to win. The Cards would have to either fall apart (which I don't see happening) or the Buccos would have to pretty much win out in order to overtake the division lead. Although the Brewers are inferior to the Pirates this year, we all know the success they've had against us. I don't like the prospects of a sweep potentially knocking us out of the wildcard spot. The Buccos can absolutely beat the Giants in a one-game playoff and actually I would predict that they win assuming Liriano is on the mound.

I think a lot of people will underestimate this team (compared to the other NL playoff teams) just because they're the Pirates. Liriano is pitching like a legitimate ace and Cole is a pretty decent # 2. After that, Morton and Volquez are both decent options. The bullpen appears to now be pretty set with Holdzkom, Watson and Melancon. We could probably throw in Worley and Locke into the pen and I think our pitching is set.

The lineup is healthy and one of the best in the NL quite frankly. Throw in the fact that they have a year of playoff experience and I absolutely think this team is capable of making a run.

I think it is easy to say they have the best lineup in the NL. They have scored more runs than anybody except Colorado and they started out the season really slow.

Yeah I think they have 9 or 10 guys with over 10 HRs. When was the last time this team was in the top 2 in OPS and Slugging (NL only)? Just a solid team from top to bottom.

 

[monessen]

One thing that's helped their on-base percentage, in an odd way, is that their batters get hit at lot more than anyone else. Hey, if it puts a runner on, fine. But no more Delgado-McCutchen beanings please!

 

[fred_1_15301]

Ok I'm back to rooting for the Brewers lol. We take 2 out of 3 against them this weekend effectively eliminating them and then catch the Cards.

 

[monessen]

Was wrong about Ortiz. Showed up tonight to delight the home fans in Pgh with an 0-4 and 2k night. Thanks for coming, dude.

The family funeral in the DR is back to being referred to as a family emergency by the media. Well, what does it matter? The Red Sox didn't seem to be cognizant of anything. Say, which of Boston's 3 runs in the 3 games played will you recall the most? And wasn't it great to pay for a MLB game yet get to see Pawtucket's up an coming stars of tomorrow?

Pirates have a great shot at overtaking the Cards as the Bucs are brimming with confidence.

 

[fred_1_15301]

A win tonight for the Buccos and nail meet coffin for the Brewers. If the Bucs end up in the WC game, I pray that the Dodgers hold onto that division. As confident as the Pirates are right now, I have little faith that they can beat Kershaw.

 

[bweiser]

might be the biggest game of the year tonight? it's all about momentum. the brewers know they kick the pirates ### on a regular basis. let's not give them any reason to think that will continue.

oh crap. already 1-0 brewers

 

[fred_1_15301]

HOLY ####

 

[fred_1_15301]

I love me some Broxton.

 

[Plorfu]

Gjduiyjmhkjjhnj

 

[fred_1_15301]

Well the Cards won but the Giants lost so now one game back of the WC lead. If they can't get the division, I'll take another home WC game. Last night was Milwaukee's best shot. They has a 2-0 lead with a guy who has dominated the Bucs and they still couldn't hold off for the win.

 

[bweiser]

What a great win. I hopped up from my seat the poker table, ran around the room screaming when Martin homered. Couple of other Pirates fans, including one dealer, who I rejoiced a little with.

I agree that should cook the Brewers' bacon. With the Giants losing, I think the home field in the wild card is definitely attainable.

 

[bweiser]

looks like they hold the tiebreaker with the Giants having won 4 of 6 in the regular season.

 

[fred_1_15301]

looks like they hold the tiebreaker with the Giants having won 4 of 6 in the regular season.

Yup and this team is so loose and confident I really like their chances no matter who is pitching for the Giants. St. Louis has a pretty nice lead but you have to think they're feeling a little pressure right now. They really can't slip up.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

I figure they need to go 7-2 to tie with the Cards for the division. Asking a lot, but not impossible. The Brewers will likely crumble after last night.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Well they had to lose at some point. Marte gave it a nice shot in the 8th but unfortunately it was hit right at Ramirez. With that loss, I think the division race is over. Thankfully the giants lost as well. They need to step on Milwaukee's throats today.

 

[fred_1_15301]

What a series by the pitching! See you in the playoffs!

 

[fred_1_15301]

Yup they're pathetic. Hard to imagine they could fall this hard

Have some faith guy