The Pirates return home with some disappointment after a series in New York where they squandered away an early seven run lead in the series finale, ultimately leading to a loss, and a four game split.
Pirates pitcher Paul Maholm, unaccustomed to such considerable run support - 23 total runs in his 11 previous starts this season - had a clean slate until a Carlos Beltran three-run homer in the 3rd, snapping the streak of Pirates starting pitchers giving up two earned runs or less in their thirteen previous starts.
After struggling to get through the sixth inning and yielding four more runs, Maholm was chased from the game. The bullpen would do no better; giving up two more runs in the Mets half of 8th. That would prove to be enough as the Buc’s were unable to mount a comeback in the 9th. They finished their brief road stint 4-3.
The Phillies come into the series on a similar note, dropping two of three in Washington to the Nationals. Regardless of that fluke, the Phillies will, for the first time this season, have their entire arsenal available. After activating All-Star second baseman Chase Utley from the DL on May 23, the Phillies will get back centerfielder Shane Victorino tonight against the Pirates.
What can’t you say about this Phillies team? They have one of the most terrifying pitching staffs in all of baseball. They have a lineup with two former MVP’s, not to mention 7 Silver Sluggers and 14 All-Star appearances between them all. Do you know how many the Pirates have in those respective categories? NONE
On paper, this Phillies team is scary, no doubt. Entering Friday’s contest they lead the majors in wins with 34 and put out one of the most formidable lineups top to bottom in the majors. Their opening day payroll of close to $173 million dwarfs the Pirates laughable $46 million. So, with all of that mounted against them, can the Pirates possibly compete with one of the premiere teams in baseball? I might be foolish in believing so, but I think Yes.
For one, the starting pitching has to remain the strength of this team. I keep waiting for a classic Pirates meltdown, but thus far it hasn’t come.
So maybe the (26-29) record doesn’t reflect the turn around, but with the 5th best team ERA in the National League (3.70), it cannot be stressed enough how much better the staff is collectively than it was last year, with an MLB worst 5.00 team ERA. This, all without a guy in Ross Ohlendorf who was supposedly going to be their #3 starter. Ohlendorf has yet to give the Pirates a season free from injury.
I guess the offense could be worse…but not by much. The anchor of the squad Andrew McCutchen is still only hitting .256, 26 points below his career average of .282. Still though, McCutchen has been showing good power this year with nine home runs. Also, I have been encouraged to see how often he has been running lately. It seems as though Hurdle has given him a little more free range to run when he wants to.
Neil Walker continues to be a consistent contributor in the middle of the lineup but production from the other corner positions has been very underwhelming to this point. Both Lyle Overbay and Garret Jones need to get things figured out, and quick. Pedro Alvarez is also going to have to get things together when he returns from the DL.
Even so, the Pirates have found ways to manufacture runs at times in ballgames that I have not been used to seeing in recent years. And you know what, they’re winning a lot of those games. This series will make for a good dissection of where the Pirates are at this time of the season.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Game 1 – Cole Hamels (7-2) vs. Jeff Karstens (3-4)
Cole Hamels has pitched as well as anyone in baseball the last month. In May, Hamels went 4-1 in six starts with a 2.93 ERA and held opponents to a .221 average. I expect Bucco manager Clint Hurdle to counter the lefty with his right-handed heavy lineup he likes using against lefties. I’d like to see more of Josh Harrison at third and with him getting hits in his first three major league games against the Mets, I would imagine Hurdle plays the hot hand in Harrison over Brandon Wood.
Opposing Hamels for the Pirates is Jeff Karstens, who has done a nice job in whatever spot manager Clint Hurdle has used him in this year. In one career start against the Phillies in July of 2010, Karstens went six innings giving up five earned on nine hits. The Pirates won 8-5 that day, but a shootout is something the Pirates need to avoid getting into against the Phillies if they hope to have any success.
Game 2 – Kyle Kendrick (3-3) vs. Charlie Morton (5-2)
Kyle Kendrick will make his third spot start out of the bullpen this year on Saturday. The young right hander will be limited in his pitch count, only expected to throw around 65 pitches so it will be of the utmost importance for the Pirates to jump on him early. The Phillies bullpen is already hurting as it is, hence the “spot” start so if the offense can work Kendrick early and put some runs up on the board, it could be a good night for McCutchen & Co.
The word “finally” comes to mind when I think of Charlie Morton. Finally he’s figured his delivery out. Finally he’s walking fewer batters. Finally the rest of baseball is learning about Morton! With Kevin Correia’s impressive MLB leading 8 wins aside, Morton has been the star of the Pirates pitching staff this year. His 2.51 ERA is tops on the staff and ranks good enough for 4th in the NL, right in front of Phillies ace Roy Halladay at 2.56. If he can stay out in front of the Phillies hitters, they’re going to be smacking a lot of balls into the ground. Elevate that sinker and he’s toast, because anyone in Philadelphia’s lineup is good for home run.
Game 3 – Roy Halladay (7-3) vs. James McDonald (3-3)
Roy Halladay is the best pitcher in the major leagues. Period. No pitch is ever in the same location or velocity two times in a row. He keeps hitters guessing and off-balance. It could be a long day for the Pirates who have waved and missed at strike three 440 times this season as a team (3rd in MLB).
James McDonald was much better in May than he was in April, posting a 2-1 record in May, only failing to get through at least six innings once in six starts. He has been able to throw his breaking ball over for strikes lately, which has kept hitters honest for the most part. He’s going to have to have everything in his repertoire Sunday when he toes the rubber against Halladay. McDonald, who at times struggles with his control, will have to be extra sharp against a lineup that is unforgiving to pitchers who leave mistakes over the plate.
You can follow me on Twitter @mcfarlands412 and email me at stmcfarland5@gmail.com
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