In our daily Wake-Up Call, we get you ready for the day with a complete look at all things Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates have been the victim of some awfully strange scheduling anomalies in 2016. Who can forget the infamous one-day Colorado trip for a make up game?
This week sees another scheduling abnormality, with two days off. After a Monday respite, the team plays two against the Seattle Mariners before another day off. After three games in Milwaukee, the team enjoys another day off before continuing on.
It’s a highly unusual stretch, and the team’s three total off days in August combined with these in the waning days of July give the team five days off within a 30 day stretch.
The extra rest will allow the team to run with four starting pitchers for the time being – provided they do not acquire anyone new – but may be most felt by a Pirates offensive attack that has been wildly inconsistent.
The magic of the bottom of the order
We have previously seen the Pittsburgh Pirates move struggling hitters down in the order to get them jump started again. At times, the team has moved Gregory Polanco, Josh Harrison and now John Jaso to the bottom third. Is it time to do so with Andrew McCutchen?
Moving below the third spot would be a huge mental hurdle to overcome for the 2013 National League MVP. But, if he is open, it could be a move that could spark the offense as a whole. McCutchen will get better pitches to hit, and put him on the right track.
At this point in his career, one would expect that the Pittsburgh Pirates can have that conversation with their star outfielder.
Baseball talk on the web
- Our friends at Jays From the Couch review their club’s acquisition of Melvin Upton Jr.
- In case you hadn’t had your fill already, MLB Trade Rumors has the latest starting pitching rumors.
- Just a reminder, you can catch up on all of our 2016 MLB Trade Deadline coverage in this one handy link.
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