Pittsburgh Pirates Wake Up Call – A Fitting Home End

In our daily Wake-Up Call, we get you ready for the day with a complete look at all things Pittsburgh Pirates.

Yesterday the Pittsburgh Pirates played to a soggy tie with Chicago at the 2016 PNC Park finale, with the game being called in the middle of the sixth inning. Due to the Pirates having already been eliminated and the Cubs having long ago clinched, there is no need to make up the game. It will go down as MLB’s first tie since 2005.

In many ways the tie was a fitting conclusion to what has become a soggy season at home. For the first time since 2011, the Pirates will finish their home slate with a losing record at 38-42. It is a stark reversal from most teams in the Clint Hurdle era.

That in itself is peculiar when we look at the team’s home/road splits both at the plate and on the mound.

Batting Splits

Seletected Pitching Splits

In years past, the stark difference in home and away records was borne out in these splits, but as we can see, the Pittsburgh Pirates were an equally average team both near and far.  In fact, they actually hit better at home while striking out far less than away from PNC.

Chalk it up to another peculiar footnote to a lost season.

One Last Shot Of Nova-cane?

Yesterday may have been Ivan Nova‘s last start with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His was another solid effort, giving up one earned run on four hits while striking out five in 5.1 innings. The pursuit of Nova will undoubtedly serve as one of the most hotly followed story lines in the off season.

Comments made by Nova in the clubhouse afterwards indicate he would like to remain in Pittsburgh.

Ivan Nova said he would like to remain in Pittsburgh. He said comfort will play a role in decision

— Travis Sawchik (@Travis_Sawchik) September 30, 2016

For the Pirates to retain Nova’s services, I believe they will need to act quickly and decisively. The club lost out on J.A. Happ last winter in part due to a slow-developing negotiating style. The club may have already learned their lesson from that experience, having approached Nova early. They will need to keep their foot on the gas if a deal is to get done.

Baseball Talk on the Web

• MLB Trade Rumors has a timely batch of free agent notes.
• In case you haven’t heard, there was drama in the Reds-Cardinals finish from last night.
• Over in the AL East, the Baltimore Orioles have tied the Toronto Blue Jays for the AL Wild Card.