Day Off Notes: Sweet Schedule, Deadline Diatribe, Random Stuff Happening...

The Pirates have a great opportunity to pad their record in the next 20 games after surviving a 1-of-3 series with Washington. Hey, we know all about any given day, but we can hear the knock on the door...

Opportunity knocks... (schedule via Pittsburgh Pirates)

One other thought we'd offer: we're at a loss why the Pirates are in the starter's market with their young arms. All the names we've heard that are associated with Bucco "due diligence" are third tier/project guys (maybe the FO thinks they can pull another JA Happ out of their hat). We know old habits die hard, but go with the kids. We think there will be payoff this season if they do, and even if the path turns a bit sloshy, they'll have their feet wet in 2017.

Don't overthink it, Neal (photo via Amhurst College)

Another Joe Blanton/Joakim Soria-type acquisition would help, tho. As for position players, with Freeser in place, they should be able to weather any storm that may occur with JHK; Indy, as we've seen, can fill the bench if that situation hits the fan. Neal Huntington and company did a great job of putting together the most solid club of their tenure this season, knowing that the pitching cavalry was riding hard for a second half rescue. The DL is starting to empty now, so just stick to the plan.

• The reasoning behind Dusty pitching to Starling Marte yesterday with Jon Niese due up next and no Pirates pinch hitter available - or reliever, for that matter - per @jorgeccastillo: "Dusty admitted he wanted to walk Marte to get to Niese, but didn't get message to Ramos (the catcher) in time. Marte hit the first pitch out."
• Fran Cervelli is in town today to evaluate his readiness to return to action after hamate surgery. He had a short rehab stint at Indy. In three games, he went 4-for-10 with three walks. If all goes as expected, he could be activated tomorrow for the Brewer series.
• Richard Justice of MLB.com has a piece on five teams that need to make a move, one of which is the Buccos. Seems he advocates dealing a top prospect for a top end starter.
• Scott Mowers of MiLB has the Top 30 Prospects now that call ups have been made - Austin Meadows is #15 and Tyler Glasnow #2. John Sickles has rookie/prospect reports across the majors, with links to 10 puppy Pirates.
• Wowser! MLB Trade Rumors reports that former scouting director Chris Correa of the St. Louis Cardinals sentenced to nearly four years in jail for hacking Astros' player personnel database. Spies don't get that long for hacking DoD computers.