In our Daily Wake-Up Call, we get you ready for the day with a complete look at all things Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Bucs had an off day yesterday after wrapping up a 10-game stretch against division foes in which they split the 10 games.
Up next is games on 13 consecutive days before the all-star break.
Similar to what the Bucs just went through, these next 13 contests present an opportunity to make up ground in the National League Central.
The question becomes whether or not Clint Hurdle’s team can take advantage of the schedule, which isn’t too difficult on paper.
Sponsored By
Trevor Williams (3-5, 5.09) gets the nod tonight against Tampa as the Bucs open a six-game homestand. He will be opposed by the Rays Alex Cobb (6-5, 4.05).
There’s really no sugarcoating things here. The Pirates need to start winning games on a consistent basis. Currently five games back in the Central, the next 10 games, which features home stands against the Rays and Giants, along with a four-game road trip at Philadelphia comes against teams with a combined 92-140 record.
Before finishing up the first half with three games in Chicago against the Cubs, the Bucs are presented with another golden opportunity to make up some ground.
That’s if they can start to put things together on a consistent basis.
Know Your Role
The Pirates bullpen has not been very good.
That’s the nice way of saying it.
A 4.09 ERA from their bullpen just isn’t going to cut it. If you take Felipe Rivero out of the equation, the Bucs relievers have posted a combined 4.72 ERA on the season.
General manager Neal Huntington has shown the ability to build quality pens in the past but that certainly hasn’t been the case this season.
So what’s been the problem?
There’a a couple of factors. One of them being usage by Hurdle.
The Bucs skipper had roles for everyone to start the season, but wouldn’t alter that plan. Daniel Hudson was kept in the eighth inning role for far too long, as was Tony Watson with the closer role.
Now no one except Rivero has a role in the pen.
While that doesn’t seem like something important, it really is. Guys have no idea from game to game whether they will be used in mop-up duty or be relied on in high leverage situations. This doesn’t seem as important on paper but guys usually perform better when they have defined roles. No one other than Rivero has any sort of role in the Pirates bullpen right now and that is a problem.
On the other side of the coin though it is kind of hard to knock Hurdle for this.
It has been really hard to defend Hurdle this season, but it is clear he has no confidence in any reliever in the bullpen not named Rivero. And why should he?
No one has given him a reason to.
Hurdle is managing the Pirates bullpen by throwing darts blindly and hoping something sticks.
Until the Pirates can somehow find bullpen arms that can get people out, this is going to continue to be a major problem.
Baseball Talk on the Web
- Has Max Scherzer surpassed Clayton Kershaw as MLB’s top pitcher?
- Where do the San Francisco Giants go from here?
- Rays acquire Adeiny Hechavarria from Marlins.
Subscribe To Pirates Breakdown Radio
Our podcast feed has been reborn as Pirates Breakdown Radio. On one singular feed, you will find a variety of shows, interviews, quick hits and much more. All designed to keep Pittsburgh Pirates fans informed and entertained no matter where they are.
We are on all the major podcast platforms, including iTunes and Google Play. So whether or not you have an Android or an iPhone/iPad, click on the corresponding button below to get subscribed!
Download Our Mobile Apps
The introduction of our new FREE Mobile Apps gets fans closer to their favorite Pittsburgh Pirates coverage than ever before. Click here to learn about some of the features of our new app – or, if you just can’t wait, click the corresponding app store for your device and grab your copy now.
Thanks for checking us out here at Pirates Breakdown. Please make sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook for the best Pirates coverage all year long!
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
