In our daily Wake-Up Call, we get you ready for the baseball day with a complete look at all things Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pittsburgh Pirates enjoyed an off-day yesterday. They certainly earned it after going 5-1 against the Dodgers and Giants on their min-west coast road trip.
Today, the club will face the Miami Marlins in the start of a three game set at PNC Park. And they are clearly catching the Marlins at just the right time. As if not having to face Giancarlo Stanton wasn’t a bonus enough for the Pirates, Jose Fernandez will not pitch in this series as he pitched last night in a loss to the Reds.
Instead, they will face journeyman right handed starter Tom Koehler.
Pittsburgh Pirates versus Tonight’s Starter
There is a bit of unfamiliarity with Koehler, but overall some major Pirates cogs have seen some success against him.
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starling Marte | 12 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | .300 | .417 | .400 | .817 |
| Jordy Mercer | 11 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | .250 | .455 | .250 | .705 |
| Andrew McCutchen | 8 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .571 | .625 | 1.143 | 1.768 |
| Gregory Polanco | 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .500 | .571 | .833 | 1.405 |
| Matthew Joyce | 6 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .500 | .500 | .833 | 1.333 |
| Josh Harrison | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .400 | .400 | .600 | 1.000 |
| Francisco Cervelli | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | .333 | .000 | .333 |
| David Freese | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 2.500 | 3.500 |
| Jung Ho Kang | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Total | 60 | 51 | 19 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 9 | .373 | .467 | .627 | 1.094 |
Koehler profiles as a fastball pitcher who can mix in a curveball and slider. The Pirates would do well tonight to lay off of the breaking stuff and force him to come back into the zone with his heat. Koehler is not overpowering – his four-seamer averages about 93.5 mph – so if the Bucs can stay patient, they should find some success.
The Great One’s Birthday
I was remiss in not mentioning yesterday that Roberto Clemente would have turned 82 on August 18th.
We’ve written extensively on Clemente. We’ve traveled to San Juan to see how his native countrymen remember him. We’ve also debated with Pittsburgh Pirates announcer Greg Brown and also among ourselves on whether his number should be retired across MLB.
This video does a great job of reminding us all just how far-reaching his legacy is.
Baseball Talk on the Web
- MLB Trade Rumors comments on Alex Rodriguez‘s future plans.
- The curse on New York Mets pitchers continues. MLB Daily Dish has the details on Steven Matz‘s abbreviated start.
- A view from the other side – Marlins Maniac wonders if the Fish are quitting without quitting.
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