The lost series

Sometimes you have a team that you just don’t match up well with and you’ll loose a lot against them. For example, every time the Yankees play the Angels, the Halos seem to win the series or even sweep the series. It looks like we are seeing that at an extreme level with our PBC vs. Brewers.

The streak is now at what? 16 games? And I really thought we would have a chance to pull out a win with Maholom pitching this series. As it turns out Paul didn’t pitch well but left with a 5-2 lead. However the bullpen continued pouring gas on a fire and blew the game.

And that sets the stage for yesterday’s game when Snell pitched a whale of a game but lost 1-0 and he threw 131 pitches in the process. If you ask me, this is the first real major abuse of a pitcher that I have seen with John Russell during his tenure. I hope that this doesn’t become a usual thing with him although I can completely understand what his thought process is, he doesn’t trust the bullpen – with good reason.

You also have to wonder if this is the start of the offense starting to feel the loss of Doumit, Wilson and McLouth. From all account, Nate McAwsome will be back in the line up tomorrow night against the Reds and we’ll have to see how he comes back after his week off. According to the Post-Gazette, Nate feels 100%.

A good weekend

Another quality start by the starting pitching staff. I think that I can get kind of used to this starting pitching. An 8 – 3 victory over Peavy and the Padres sure makes the weekend go down a lot easier. Strong starting pitching by Olendorf, another good day at the plate by Adam LaRoche (2 HRs) and even Robinson Diaz got into the act with a two RBI single to tie the game up.

The Pirates are now 11 – 7 and that’s pretty amazing when you consider that 1/3 of the starting line up was out for this series. With Domout and Wilson on the DL and McLouth out you don’t expect the offense to put out 21 runs, but that is what they did.

Now the Bucs move on to Milwaukee to play the Brewers. Another 2 out of 3 would be nice.

Bucs get some “love” in the NY Press

With the Pirates 10-7 start, people are starting to notice. Yesterday it was NY Daily News’ baseball columnist Bill Madden. With Madden’s history of being a curmudgeon, seemingly being on the Yankees’ payroll and short sightedness when it comes to player development the complements are somewhat back handed. Let’s take a look at some of the comments he makes:

it would be a stretch to suggest the Pirates may actually have gotten the better of the deal with the Yankees last summer (that also netted them outfielder prospect Jose Tabata).

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that only time will tell. With the way that both Olendorff and Karstens have pitched so far things are looking up. Add to that Jose Tabata and that the Pirates added depth in the minor leagues (something that they desperately needed) it’s a stretch to say that the Yankees got the better of the deal, especially with the way that Marte has pitched for them since the trade and Nady being on the DL.

Here is another fun statement that he makes:

Under the tutelage of new pitching coach Joe Kerrigan (who’s had a checkered reputation everywhere else he’s been), lefties Paul Maholm and Zack Duke seem to finally be attaining the great promise they showed as rookies in 2005.

Has anyone heard about Kerrigan’s “checkered” past? I have only read good things about him on any stop along the way. Where ever he has gone as the pitching coach, he as improved the staff. The only thing that I can think of is that he was once the bullpen coach for the Yankees and there must have been something that happened which Yankee management didn’t like and they told Madden.

I think that most, if not all Pirate fans realize that this year’s team may not get to the playoffs or even to .500 but the new management from Frank Coonley on down is doing the right things on all levels and this is light years ahead of what Dave Littlefield did while he was GM.

Back in the swing of things

I’ve decided to re-open this blog. Why? Mostly because I feel like having an outlet with out having to bore the reader of my other blog. Another excellent win by the Buccos last night with Duke pitching into the 9th inning. I’ll write more later today.

Moved on

You may have wondered where I have gone these past two weeks. Well, I was offered a spot as a blogger over at the Pittsburgh Lumber Co. and I decided to take the offer. I’m being paid double what I was being paid here (2 x 0) but it’s a better place with an existing reader base. Won’t you join me over there?

Nady on the Block

It looks like the next player from the 2007 roster not to be on the team next year will be Xavier Nady. If it is true, this looks like a cost cutting move and it’s one that I don’t like too much. Nady did have injuries last year but I think that he can be a productive player for the Pirates and as I mentioned in an earlier post, it looks like his health issues are behind him.

The Staff is Complete

The Pirates late last week completed Manager John Russell’s coaching staff with the hiring of Lou Frazier as the First Base Coach and outfield instructor. Here is a telling quote from the GM:

“Each individual is a quality communicator, instructor and person with a broad set of experiences and abilities. As a staff, they complement each other well and will play a significant role in changing the culture in our clubhouse while restoring the sense of pride in being a Pittsburgh Pirate.”

They (the coaches) are there to instruct and let the players know that is expected of them. This is called accountability in the business world and this is one way to change the culture of the team. Just like I was talking about in a post last week.