With the Bucco’s 7-4 win last night over San Diego, they improve to 15-16 on the season and sit only 2.5 games back from first. Kevin Correia pitched six solid innings; earning him his fifth win of the season. It seems like for the first time in years, the Pirates are actually still in it.
Winning three of their last four games, and six of the last ten, the Pirates have the day off today, and will travel back home to play Houston in a short three game series. The Astros are currently in last place in the NL Central. If the Bucs can capitalize, they could very well leave this series with a winning record.
Correia has certainly been a pleasant surprise this year. After spending the first eight seasons of his career on the West Coast with the Giants, and Padres, Correia was acquired back in December. After a solid spring training, he was named the Bucco’s opening day starter in late March.
Although impressive, he’s not the only Pirates’ pitcher who has produced.
Charlie Morton has put up a 3-1 record thus far, and is scheduled to start again on Saturday. Pitching has been huge for the Bucs this year. Offensively, however, there is room for improvement.
Leadoff man, Andrew McCutcheon is only hitting 221. With a 280+ average the previous two seasons, there is no doubt that he has suffered from a recent “slump.” However, he has hit five home runs, and continues to make an impact at center field. Aside from Xavier Paul, not one player for the Pirates is batting at, or above 300.
With the NL Central as tight as it is now, anything can happen. Possible playoff birth for the Bucs? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
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