Sorry if the site is a touch slow today; we’re having some server issues on the back end of things. The Bloguin guys have promised me it’ll be taken care of ASAP and hopefully things will be running better than ever by the end of the weekend at the latest.
Meanwhile in Arlington, the Pirates have quickly negated their mini two-game winning streak and if last night is any indication, this losing streak may head towards 12 again before it ends. Jeff Karstens starts tonight to try and salvage one win from the Texas trip against Scott Feldman. Ryan Church stubbornly remains as the designated “hitter,” making a mockery of the term. Pedro Alvarez is batting sixth again, as the club’s desire to shelter him a bit by keeping him at the bottom of the order remains clear. Obviously they don’t feel Jose Tabata and his .269 OBP over the last ten games needs any sheltering, as he’s batting leadoff again (if you can’t tell, I feel like maybe this isn’t the best idea right now).
There are a bunch of roster moves to discuss for tonight. Steven Jackson and Justin Thomas are up in the bullpen for Dana n’ Duke. Thomas, who takes Eveland’s spot on the 40-man, has quietly been awesome out of Indianapolis’s bullpen this year, putting up an insane 34:3 K:BB ratio in 34 2/3 innings. As a lefty, I’ve got a feeling he’s got a chance to stick with the club. Jackson, who we’re all familiar with, is likely short-term filler until someone (presumably Dan McCutchen) gets the call to pitch in Duke’s on Saturday.
First pitch is 8:05. Clemente/Cangelosi is after the jump.
Not sure what this is? Check here and here. Short version: in the comments pick the Pirates you think will be most and least valuable in today’s game. If you haven’t jumped aboard yet, it’s been a lot of fun so far and now’s as good a time as any to join in.
- Don_Madden: 42
- Carnegie Chip: 26
- North Shore Ryan, brian2: 22
- dafletch, Woodward: 21
- ndbrian: 20
- J. Latrobe: 18
- pdiddy0020: 16
- hisjazziness: 15
- Wizard of Woz, whygavs: 14
- hwtrine68, Garrett122, michaelbro8: 13
- Mornacale:12
- UtesFan890, apk: 8
- bwzimmerman, dboz: 7
- TuckerD13, edgeman2k, Nate: 6
- WallyR, Cecilio_Guante: 5
- Dave Mesing, TheHulk: 4
- TomKaikis, Joek, tylerrcurtis, TheJewelryMan!, fruitbat, appeal2smail : 3
- PatrickHealy, MattB, SteelCity66, BadAndy, spazaru, Adam_Reynolds, Mr. Ando, hilltoppeer, PHook4000: 2
- FSU Bucs, Christy, appeal2smail, SeanGentile, shsteimer, TheHulk, Traco Bucco, Tate, Neopold, IndianaJohns04, wk kortas, jac8, Mr. Ando, DoctorGeeves, CoryR, Polish Prodigy
, cocktailsfor2: 1
- Everyone else: 0
- NSN, Mosca, danatural, Teflon, John Sparrow, matt w, Fielding Yost: -1
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