It’s really, really hard to find things to be critical of during a three game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals, but no series is perfect, even this one. The Pirates had some sloppy moments in the field and on the base-paths, they made up for it with some timely hitting and grinding out plenty of at-bats.
The Pirates have committed themselves to a new on-base approach and it was painfully evident in this series and especially game three. The Pirates completely sold out to make Mike Leake work in the first inning and while they only scored one run, they made Leake throw over 40 first inning pitches. A great start to the ballgame.
Winning a series via the sweep is great, sweeping the Cardinals is a tremendous feeling and an amazing way to start the 2016 season. It is important to remember that it is only one series and there is a long way to go, but you have to be encouraged by what the Pirates showed in this series. They may not lead the league in home runs, but they very well could lead the league in walks this season. That might not be as sexy as the long ball, but runs are runs and it doesn’t matter how you get them.
The Pirates will go from their arch-rival St. Louis Cardinals to the rebuilding Cincinnati Reds as following an off day, they will play their first road series of the season. I said this a lot in 2015, it’s easy to be focused when you’re playing the Cardinals, but the Pirates MUST bring the same level of intensity against the rebuilding National League clubs, but especially the Reds and Brewers as the team’s struggles against those teams is what lead to another Wildcard Game appearance. Time to go to work and hopefully beat up on the Reds.
Series Result: Pirates win 3-0
2016 win/loss record: 3-0
2016 series record 1-0
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