Optical Illusion, Remember When and Game 98

Vitals:

PITTSBURGH PIRATES (44-53)	LHP ZACH DUKE (4-6, 4.40 ERA)
COLORADO ROCKIES (42-57)	RHP AARON COOK (11-6, 3.57 ERA)
Game Time	3:05 EDT
XM	XM 185
TV	FSN

This Doesn't Look Right:

Maybe this is why Herrera could not focus last night?

From today's Post-Gazette online:

 

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

That picture gives new meaning to "Team Chemistry". 

Remember When:

Remember a couple days ago, my optimism on the Pirates post break schedule.  Remember how I said 10-4 gets them back to .500.  Remember I said the most important thing was avoiding the June/July swoon...

Looks like the swoon is kicking in yet again.  Already 0-3 after the break, if they lose today expect a closed door meeting that will leak to all the news media.

I guess the Pirates are looking at Duke to start a 10 game winning streak...

Herrara-tic:

Herrera is anything but consistent, unless consistently out of control is considered.  I actually held out some hope for him, that was misplaced.  I am still looking for a deal to come down soon that will land a starting pitching prospect that may be able to help the rotation immediately. 

This season has been a real detriment to Jeff Andrews legacy and what he had accomplished in the last few years as a minor league pitching instructor.  Andrews is a much better coach than this pitching staff has shown.  Part of it is due to lack of quality arms.

Links:

A link courtesy of Dejan's PBC Blog on Tony Watson's performance Saturday Night.  Maybe he will get called up for Monday's starts.

Rumor:

The Yankees are stepping up their pursuit of Bay and Nady.  Also mentioned are Grabow and Marte.

From the Star-Ledger:

Minor-league outfielders Austin Jackson and Jose Tabata and pitchers such as Ian Kennedy are names that could be discussed. Melky Cabrera does not interest the Pirates, who have All-Star Nate McLouth in center field.

 

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Snelled, Logged and Flogged, and Game 97

Vitals:

PITTSBURGH PIRATES (44-52)	RHP YOSLAN HERRERA (0-0, 12.46 ERA)
COLORADO ROCKIES (41-57)	LHP JORGE DE LA ROSA (3-5, 7.26 ERA)
Game Time	8:05 EDT
XM	XM 185
TV	FSN

Herrera:

I was interested in seeing what Herrera would do last start. Let's call that one none too good. Tonight is his second MLB start, hopefully he shows more than he did last time. If he doesn't, this will be a high scoring game.

Tonight is Herrera's best chance to make a case for staying in Pittsburgh.

Snell-ed:

Ian was not too good, not too bad. Unfortunately, when he got in trouble he threw somewhere in the range of 10 straight fastballs (allegedly 96mph) before a breaking pitch or off speed pitch was thrown. "Just throw fastballs," Snell said. "Make them get themselves out."

This has been the MO for this staff this year, relying too much on the fastball and not varying speed when they do get in that rut. Once a major league hitter gets timing down on the fastball, look out in the cheap seats. Pitchers like JVB rely on a 93 mph heater that is flat and no one can understand why he gets shelled.

Lincoln Logged, Moskos Flogged:

Brad Lincoln made his first start at Lynchburg with a line of 4 IP, 5 R, 5 ER, 7 H. Two of the hits allowed were long balls.

During the game the Nationals announcers were discussing the Pirates drafting of Moskos during the game. Both announcers were slamming the Pirates for that pick saying he was a reach at best, especially at the number 5 pick.

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