Pirates Shift Into Gear

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Well, that was a nice four days off. Lots of golf played, time spent with family & friends, barbecuing steaks & ears of corn, downing bottle after bottle of bittersweet beer. . . ah, the life. . .

Sorry guys but the vacation's over, dammit! However, did the team really enjoy their sabbatical knowing that the next nine games are against division foes? The Buccos restart the 2011 campaign with a three game set
in Houston, then travel back home for a six game home-stand featuring the Cincinnati Reds & St. Louis Cardinals (4th & t-1st in the division respectfully). Being a game out of first & holding a four game lead over
the Reds, these games are brutally important for the 2nd place Pirates' season. In more ways than one.

There is a deadline looming that every Pirates fan knows all too well for all the wrong reasons; July 31st, the trade deadline. The Pirates have been notorious for dumping, absolutely DUMPING, talent to contenders at
the end of July. Players that had won over fans in the Steel City with hard play & effort, are shipped to better teams for (in the most case) nothing. The Pirates go from bad to worse overnight.

These next nine games are going to go a long way in establishing how management plays the trade deadline. If the team is still in contention after July 24th, hopefully Neal Huntington will trade minor contributors for impact players who help the team continue their winning ways.

If the reverse happens, & the Pirates get blow away from the top of the standings, Neal might try to wipe the slate clean. There is optimism that this wouldn't be the case, but after eighteen years of horrid, one-sided trades. . . Pirates fans are allowed to worry.

In either situation, pitcher Paul Maholm is likely to be dealt. Maholm is prime real estate for teams seeking a good lefty. His 6-9 record is excused by his 2.96 ERA & 75 Ks. The Yankees & Red Sox are always in the market for pitchers. So are the White Sox, Twins, & Rangers.

There is tangible fear that whatever the Pirates do this trade deadline, Paul tops the list of guys on the way out. This is unfortunate, for the team could benefit from keeping Maholm. However, his $9.75 million dollar club option for 2012 might be too high for management.

Also, Kevin Correia needs to pitch better at home. He is 3-5 in decisions at PNC Park this year including getting bombed by the Cubs in 3.2 innings for five runs in his last start. This upcoming home-stand has Correia
taking the mound against St. Louis on Saturday the 23rd. That game could be pivotal. In order for the Pirates to be contenders, they need to win at home. That means Kevin needs to get comfortable in Pittsburgh. Fast.

The Pirates also could make waves in the baseball world by tearing off wins during this stretch. Even though Pittsburghers are paying more attention to the Pirates, ESPN & other sports media giants are not. Sure,
the team gets a mention or two on SportsCenter, but nothing substantial.

This team deserves much more than that. Going from 57-105 one year to 2nd place in July the next merits national attention. Maybe being in 1st place in late July will get people outside the tri-county talking? The Pirates boast a ton of rare, young, marketable talent. Major League Baseball should take advantage of this.

Obviously, there is the pennant to think of. The last time Pittsburgh hoisted a division pennant up a flag-pole was 1992. Far too long. This stretch of games will help the Pirates gain solid footing for a much longer & important run of division games in August.

Confidence can be gained & leads can be built here. Successful teams make deposits in the win column now for breathing room later. These young Pirates need to learn this lesson for down the stretch run. Experience is vital. The better the team does these nine games, the better their chances of success with those seventeen coming up.

Isn't it great having pennant race conversations about the Pirates in July? Winning breeds a unique atmosphere. It's really nice to see that some older Pirates fans haven't forgotten the fragrance. Even more fun to witness the younger ones smell it for the first time. The first half of the season was a blast. Hopefully the second half is even more exciting. So thank you schedule makers for forcing the Pirates to flatten the gas pedal, crack up the Crue & race towards the end of the season.

Written by, Andrew Brown