Bucco Blog (Volume 1)

Written by Seth Edwin Thompson

           Week two of the 2011 MLB season has come to a close, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are under .500. Yes they’re only one game under .500 (7-8), and they have a chance to even up their record and win the series today in the finale of a four game series with the Cincinnati Reds.

            This was a very short week for the Pirates, with an off day on Monday, and then the first game of the Brewers series rained out on Tuesday; the Pirates had a very mediocre week by going 2-4. But not to worry! We can never beat the Brewers anymore, and we have a chance to possibly take a series off the defending NL Central champion Reds; I like the competitive nature this team is displaying.

            Through the first fifteen games of the season you would be very hard pressed to find an offensive stat that the Pirates aren’t doing at least somewhat decent in. Four of the six players with a homerun so far this season respectively have 3 a piece. And five of eleven players who have played in at least 10 games are hitting over .250, with two of the remaining six under the dreaded Mendoza line.

            Maybe the biggest offensive disappointment thus far has to be Pedro Alvarez. Alvarez is hitting a meek .193 with no homers and only 4 RBI. I know that everyone in the world expects him to be the next great power hitting third-baseman, but I can accept the fact that he is a historically slow starter. I don’t see Pedro being in this slump for too much longer, and I can just hope and pray that he doesn’t develop a habit of being as slow of a starter as former Pirate first baseman Adam Laroche.

            As we turn over to the pitching staff, I’m very pleasantly surprised by Charlie Morton’s 2011 campaign so far. 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA in 22 IP over 3 starts, 1 CG, Morton has himself as the frontrunner to be the ace of this staff, something that Hurdle truly didn’t have coming into spring training or even opening day.

            I’m also very happy to see that we have three starters with ERA’s fewer than 2.75. The other two joining Morton are Kevin Correia (2.70) and Paul Maholm (2.33). But on a lesser note, the other two of the starting rotation are both having serious troubles right now, as James McDonald (0-1, 7.47 ERA) and Ross Ohlendorf (0-0, 7.27). While it’s no surprise after his horrific ’10 campaign, but McDonald’s half season in Pittsburgh last year after being traded over from the Dodgers showed a lot more promise than what he has shown thus far in 2011.

            From the bullpen I’ve been very pleased with Joel Hanrahan’s role as closer; going 5 for 5 in save opportunities, including a 5 out save yesterday (4/17) against the Reds. Hanrahan is a very Heath Bell-esque closer with just two pitches and being a very hard thrower. While some people hate seeing closers like that, to me a closing pitcher isn’t about style and technique, but rather the mentality to come in with a game on the line and be able to shut it down.

            Our 2010 All-Star, Evan Meek has struggled so far this year. With an ERA of 7.20, in 5 IP; Meek has 1 blown save, 4 ER, and has walked 4 batters to his 6 K’s so far. And after seeing him put the game in jeopardy yesterday, it is very evident that Clint Hurdle has a very short leash on Meek right now. I think that when Meek’s at his best and Hanrahan the way he’s throwing right now, we should never lose a game that we’re winning going into the 8^th inning. 

Stud of the Year (To this date)

Jose Tabata- Tabata has done nothing short of everything in his power to keep this team hanging around .500 so far. Hitting .310 with 3 HR’s and 3 2b’s, Tabata’s becoming a very good number 2/ leadoff hitter for the Bucs. His 8 stolen bases tie him for most among big leaguers, and his .420 OBP is exactly what we need in the top part of the order. For a team to have a 1 or 2 hitter that’s getting on base in almost half of his AB’s with Tabata’s speed on the base path, those are the kind of guys you need to have a successful season.

Not-so-Stud of the Year (To this date)

Ronny Cedeno- Cedeno has not done much at the dish or in the field so far this season. His saving grace of the season may have come yesterday in the 8^th inning when he snagged a line drive and was able to complete the double play at second base to get Joel Hanrahan out of a jam. His mere .167 avg along with 9 SO’s make him easily our weakest spot in the line-up. He also has 3 errors and a .961 fielding percentage which are not exactly the type of fielding numbers you want from your everyday short stop.

A Look into the Crystal Ball

After finishing up the four game series with the Reds today (4/18), they will head off to a 3 game set at Joe Robbie Stadium, Pro-Player Stadium, Dolphin Stadium, Sun Life Stadium against the Florida Marlins. The Marlins enter the series with an 8-6 record, and have no common opponents as the Pirates so far this season.

            Then on G.O.O.D. Friday, the Pirates return to the friendly confines of PNC Park to take on the Washington Natinals Nationals for a 3 game series. The Nationals are 8-7 currently, and are 2-0 against the Brew Crew (Pirates 0-2). 

My Prediction for the Next Week

          I’m looking for Pedro Alvarez to start to get out of his slump this week as the 3 game set against the Marlins in a warmer climate will help him get back into the swing of things. I also look for the pitching staff to keep up the good work, and for Clint Hurdle’s crew to go 4-3 this week putting them at .500 after Easter. And for me, that would be like finding a 20 pound Reese’s peanut butter egg in my basket Easter morning, super sweet!