The lineup: Alex Presley LF, Neil Walker 2B, Andrew McCutchen CF, Garrett Jones 1B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Jose Tabata RF, Rod Barajas C, Clint Barmes SS. James McDonald P.
If the lineup ain't broke, don't fix it.
- Erik Bedard has made 19 interleague starts, and is 9-3 with a 2.93 ERA.
- The Pirates have won 10-of-13 going into tonight, posting the best record in MLB since May 25th.
- Tonight will mark the fourth sellout of the season at PNC Park, thanks to the Bucs hot play, fireworks and Boyz II Men after the game.
- Utility guy Yamaico Navarro was sent down to get some steady at-bats at Indy. Seems to be the ticket; he's been on a nine game hitting streak since the move.
- Tim Williams of Pirate Prospects has updated his Top Twenty prospects list to include the new draft class.
That is probably about the best lineup this team is capable of. I would call that a slightly below average major league batting order unless Pedro Alvarez suddenly got it together---something I don't see happening, by the way. I'd say that one or two legitimate veteran bats just might put us into the playoffs this year, though, given how well the pitching staff is doing. What do you think, Ron?
ReplyDeleteThey do need a bat, Will, and I've heard Pittsburgh has been kicking tires. Seems like no one is ready to play nice yet, but I'd be surprised if there isn't a move by the end of the month or early July, before the deadline.
ReplyDeleteJust saw your blurb about today's game, with the Ken Rosenthal comments. I could definitely go with either Kevin Youkilis (first choice) or Chase Headley. Either one would definitely improve the Pirates considerably. I would think Youkilis would be the best fit because of his ability to play first base as well as third; I haven't looked closely, but my understanding is that Headley has only played third base and, briefly, left field. Unless of course they're thinking that Headley could light a fire under both Alvarez AND Tabata.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. I could be wrong, but I think Pedro's time in Pittsburgh could be coming to a close. Heck, if Headley is in play, maybe they're thinking about sending Pedro to the Padres for Headley, straight up. An exchange of a mildly disappointing prospect for a hugely disappointing prospect? Youkilis on the other hand would be a true "load up with a veteran bat for the stretch run" acquisition.
I'm not much of a Headley (or Youk) fan, Will, and don't think there's a snowball's chance that the FO pulls the plug on Pedro.
ReplyDeleteI'd like a 1B/OF guy myself, maybe a Brian LaHair type you could keep a couple of seasons. OF, though, could be a rental if they eat some money rather than give up a live prospect, with Marte due to land in Pittsburgh sometime this summer.