Post-Game Thoughts On An Off Day

Odd & random thoughts...

• Starling Marte squared up on a couple of balls, one falling in for a double, and even drew a walk. A big sophomore year from him would really help prime the Buc run production in 2014.  And we'd much rather see him walk than HBP.
• We're curious how the Pedro in the cleanup spot experiment will work. He's the Buc's obvious  and really only true #4 hitter, but he's hit just .180 with an OPS of .610 from that slot, leaving Clint between a rock and a hard place when penciling in a lineup. 
• The lineup is still really unsettled for the two hole. After spending the spring with Russ Martin there, Travis Snider got the call yesterday; neither are two guys. It's probably going to be a day-by-day call until Gregory Polanco gets his call as the Bucs have no natural two hitter as constituted. Jordy Mercer may be as close as they get.
• It's early in the season so we don't expect the starters to be fully stretched out yet, but we'd like to see the Pirate rotation get through seven innings more often this year and give the bullpen a break.
• Clint Hurdle had his matchup game on yesterday. He sat Gaby Sanchez (1-for-10) and Jose Tabata (2-for-10), who haven't had much luck against Jeff Samardzija, and replaced them with the Travis twosome, Ishikawa and Snider. Ishikawa went 2-for-3 while Snider had an 0-fer, but drew a walk. So they got on base as many times in this game as Gaby and JT have in their career against Samardzija.
• Barry Bonds and the Bucco management rolled the dice by bringing him back to town to present Cutch with his MVP award. But it worked out OK - Bonds soldiered on with his efforts to rehab his image and the crowd greeting was 50-50 between boos and huzzas, saving the marketing department from a black eye on Opening Day.
• Lotta pitching goin' down in the NL Central yesterday. Aside from the Pirate-Cubbie 1-0 game, Adam Wainwright outpitched Johnny Cueto in a 1-0 Card victory over the Reds while the Brewers beat the Braves and Julio Teheran 2-0 behind Yovani Gallardo. Central pitching gave up two runs during the day on solo homers. Looks like there will be a lot of divisional grinders being played again this year. 
• Wonder if the Bucs have had any bites on Vin Mazzaro?