In our daily Wake-Up Call, we get you ready for the day with a complete look at all things Pittsburgh Pirates
Leave them wanting more
The Pittsburgh Pirates lost to the Cincinnati Reds yesterday by a score of 7-3. You can read our TnTs from the game here, but the effect of the loss has left the team’s fans with an unsatisfied feeling.
While the Pirates did take two out of three against them, the Reds were a very sweepable team. Bill Hamilton had other ideas, however. The one-tool player used that tool well, with four – yes, four – stolen bases in five attempts. He ran at will, and he ran with skill. Though he was picked off once, the Pirates had no answer for him on the base paths.
That was but one catalyst for the loss, but the inability to finish the Reds off joins the 1-5 Brewers/Braves road trip as an indicator that this team is somewhat in disarray. Going into this stretch, it was thought by many – this site included – that the Pittsburgh Pirates could make serious hay against this part of the schedule.
That has not happened, and the cumulative 3-6 record against this terrible triumvirate has left many wondering if the postseason is a lost cause at this point.
Stop us if you’ve heard this before, but the Pirates could get back on track with three games against the San Diego Padres at PNC Park starting tomorrow. They might have to be greedy and go for the sweep, as a west coast trip against the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Gaints looms.
Hurlde taking blame?
The topic of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ clubhouse atmosphere is a hot one recently. After yesterday’s game, manager Clint Hurdle took it upon himself to shoulder much of the blame for the team’s malaise.
Hurdle to reporters: "I’m just trying to let you know, trying to cut down the questions: all that went wrong today, comes to my table."
— Travis Sawchik (@Travis_Sawchik) August 7, 2016
It is an admirable move from a manager that likely deserves the smallest piece of the blame pie, and it might be a necessary one. We have heard conflicting reports of the atmosphere in the room, and anything Hurdle can do to insulate his charges is a welcome move at this point. With fractures still yet to heal from the departure of many of their peers, the best thing for these current Pirates to do is focus on the day ahead of them.
Yesterday’s Player Of the Game
After each game, win or lose*, we ask you to vote for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Player of the Game. Here now is yesterday’s result:
#Pirates lose a disappointing one to the #Reds. Who is your Player of the Game in the loss?
— Jason Rollison (@jrollisonpgh) August 7, 2016
Follow us on twitter and keep an eye out for these polls minutes after each game’s end.
*A note on these polls – many have expressed their confusion on why we would ask for a player of the game after losses. In a moment of full transparency, we had planned to track POTG votes over the entire season. That data was lost after a certain point. We now are going to stick to this as a “Best in the loss” kind of question. Next year we will likely revisit our thinking in this area. Thank you for your votes!
Baseball Talk on the Web
- Each Sunday, MLB Trade Rumors gathers up the best baseball content from independent media. Pirates Breakdown is honored to be included, and here is yesterday’s installment.
- The Trib’s Travis Sawchik pointed out the obvious benefits to the Pittsburgh Pirates if MLB had a salary floor.
- Baseball Prospectus wonders if an elite closer means less volatility.
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