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The Pirates are dead last in the NL in ERA.
They're seventh in batting average, but near the bottom in OBP, and they traded away two of their best hitters at the deadline.
There are a few things the Pirates do well. For example, their .280 batting average with runners in scoring position is second in the NL and my understanding is that some of the hits they got with RISP came off pitchers not named Aaron Heilman.
Still, we need to be pounding these guys. It would be really nice to get a win or three while we're visiting the Steel City this week.
Matchups
Fri Aug 15 - Pelfrey v. Jason Davis
Jason Davis is flying way under the radar. The scouting report I found on
him (from sportsnet.ca, because it's free) says:
Needs to get in the game from the very first pitch and bear down when the going gets tough.
...as opposed to those lucky fellows who get to wait until pitch #27 to get in the game and can take it easy when the going gets tough.
In other words, sportsnet.ca doesn't know diddly about Jason Davis, and neither do I.
He's done well in a couple of appearances this year with the Pirates.
Sat Aug 16 - Martinez v. Zach Duke
We met Zach Duke last week, and David Wright kicked his ass. Let's forget the rest for now.
Sun Aug 17 - Santana v. Jeff Karstens
Karstens is, of course, one of the Yankee prospects that were sent to Pittsburgh as part of the Nady trade. So far, pretty good pickup. Gave up no runs in six innings in his debut against the Cubs at Wrigley, followed it up with a complete-game 2-hit shutout against the Dbaggs, and didn’t even pitch that poorly in his loss to Cincinnati last week.
Mon Aug 18 - Maine v. Paul Maholm
Since June 1, the three best ERAs in the major leagues among lefthanded starters belong to CC Sabathia, Johan Santana, and...Paul Maholm. So Maholm isn’t just the Pirates’ ace by default; he’s actually having a pretty good season. This may be the most difficult matchup of the series.
Who's hot?
Middle reliever Sean Burnett has not given up a run in his last five appearances.
Doug Mint Cave Itch has been doing surprisingly well as an occasional starter at 1B and 3B when various LaRoches are injured or – in Andy’s case - just too righthanded to play. He’s hitting close to .290 for the season and .359 in his last 10 games.
Adam LaRoche has spent most of August on the DL with a strain in the rib cage area, but had a Delgadoesque July, batting .389 with seven home runs in 22 games. He came back yesterday and went 0-3 against Johnny Cueto and a cast of thousands.
Who’s not?
Ryan Doumit, catcher with a season batting average of .329, has hit .256 over his last 10. Teams are starting to play him as a dead pull hitter, particularly when he bats lefty. Raul Chavez started yesterday in his place. Ronny Paulino, once rumored to be an Omar Minaya love interest, earned a free trip to Indianapolis by batting .218 through mid-season.
Brandon Moss. 4 for his last 31.
Who’s hurt?
Nobody. Absolutely nobody.
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