Pirates Game 115 Thoughts: 11-3 win over the Dodgers

[Crimson's Ghost]

The Pirates jumped all over the Dodgers early, and it was an easy Sunday afternoon win from historic Dodger Stadium. How about the offense, slugging 16 hits and 3 homers on LA pitching?  The Pirates wrapped up the season series 5-2 against the Dodgers, and they were 5-1 against LA last season. For whatever reason, the Bucs have done more than held their own the past few years against the NL West, and will have a tough test the next three days in San Francisco. The Bucs will need the Cubs to beat the Cardinals tonight.  In other Wild Card news, Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton is out for the season, which could be a helpful factor for the Pirates. 

-- Chad Kuhl was really sharp today, and the rookie continues to impress. He's now 3-0 with a 3.73 ERA in six career starts, not bad for the young righty.  He's been a nice piece to this rotation, and I would imagine he's here to stay. He's giving them innings and a chance to win when he takes the mound, that's all you can ask for from a rookie. 

-- Antonio Bastardo just seemed to be out of tonight, and never looked sharp. He allowed a run and a hit, but it felt like more. He's been mostly good in his return, but tonight wasn't his best. 

-- Felipe Rivero pitched 1.1 innings and struck out 3, and he allowed no runs, hits, or walks.  He did hit a batter, but was mostly dominant. Nicasio came in and closed it out with an uneventful 9th. 


-- Josh Harrison was 4-6 tonight with a pair of RBI's and 2 runs scored. JHay has been pretty good in the month of August. Harrison has been really disappointing this season, but a solid finish could help make up for that. 

-- Jordy Mercer was 1-6 tonight, but broke things open early with a two run bomb, his 8th of the season. Mercer hits lefties well, and true to form he smacks a home run. 

-- Cutch was 1-5 with an RBI single and a walk. Not an ideal game, but he's looked better at the plate the past week or so at the very least. 

-- Freese was a quiet 0-3 with a pair of walks. 

-- Jung-ho Kang had a massive moon shot homer in the 9th innings, his second consecutive day with a home run.  He's looked better at the plate of late, and he could be a huge boost to this offense. 

-- Cervelli was 2-5 with a pair of runs.  Since coming off the DL, Cervelli's bat has been better. He makes this team much better. 

-- Sean Rodriguez was 3-4 with 4 RBI.  He had a big three run home run in the first, and a nice RBI single in the 9th to pad the lead.  He continues to play well when he gets opportunities.

-- Adam Frazier had himself a 4-5 day at the plate. What an addition he has been, a great fit for this team with all the positions he can play.  The funny thing is, he wasn't supposed to start today and at a moment's notice goes 4-5. What a player. 


The Pirates head to San Fran tomrrow for a three game set, and return home for 3 games with Miami. 6 games against playoff teams, we'll see what they are made of this week. 

[Manfred]

They roll the dice- it's a crap shoot. Never know what you're getting anymore.

[Crimson's Ghost]

It seems for the first time in months we can the rotation is 

Cole
Taillon
Nova 
Vogelsong
Kuhl


It hasn't been that known or consistent in a while. Hopefully that helps the team in the stretch run. 

[abpk2903]

In my opinion, 88 wins will grab the 2nd WC. 

That means 29-18 down the stretch. Possible but not a whole lot this team has done this year makes me overly optimistic.

Sounds easier said than done. They really can't have any 3 loss weeks the rest of the way. A 3 or 4 game skid at this point would take them completely out of contention. 

[Crimson's Ghost]

I think 88 might grab the first wild card. I don't think the Dodgers are all that great, I don't see them winning much more than that, not with the kind of pitching we saw this weekend. 

[abpk2903]

Well 2 years ago the Pirates and Giants tied at 89. That's the least amount of wins to get into this new wildcard format to this point. 

88 may win the top wildcard but if that's the case the 2nd wildcard will be not too far behind. 

Right now the teams are on pace to finish:
•Giants - 91 wins
•Dodgers - 90 wins
•Cardinals - 85 wins
•Marlins - 84 wins
•Pirates - 83 wins
•Mets - 82 wins

3 of these 6 teams will make the playoffs. 3 will miss. Pirates can pull another team (Giants) back into the think of the race by winning this series against them this week. 

I gotta think at least 2 or 3 of these teams will finish the year playing pretty well. Pushing their win percentage up slightly.

Nationals and Cubs are long gone. Rockies and Phillies have overachieved to this point. They may push a .500 record but not the WC.

[sparky]

Crazy thinking here. But what if the Pirates win the next 5 games? Sweep both the Giants and the Marlins.

[12HankQB]

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I felt this was necessary.