"J. Mac" Continues to Struggle As Pirates Lose to Astros

The Pirates good fortune didn't show up at Houston yesterday afternoon as they dropped the 4th game of a 4 game set with the Astros in Houston.  They took 3 out of 4 from the 'stros, but even after winning 7 of their last 10, they find themselves 3 games behind the Reds in the NL Central race.  The Reds are playing inspired baseball, and even though the Buccos have been playing well, they always seem to find themselves looking up at the Reds.  The Buccos will be traveling to Cincinnati in the next week which will give them plenty of opportunity to gain ground on the division rival. 

One of the reasons that the Pirates have struggled at times is simple...James McDonald.  Statistically James McDonald has been the Pirates WORST pitcher since the all-star break.  He has a ERA over 8 and has thrown the least amount of innings of all starting pitchers in the rotation.  Sure, the Pirates lost 9-5, but to me the story is about Hurdle's decision to move Kevin Correia to the bullpen and keep McDonald in the rotation.  If I were the manager, I would have put McDonald in the 'pen for some much needed rest and left Correia in the rotation.  You can always move people around if necessary. 

Due to Hurdle's decision, the Pirates now have a disgruntled employee on their hands.  No, this employee isn't of the magnitude of Mike Wallace and the Steelers, but Kevin Correia is now demanding a trade from the Pirates.  I'm sure the Pirates will look in to dealing the RHP, but how many teams are looking for an average starter with an ERA above 4?  'J Mac' continues to be too inconsistent for my liking.  Here were his numbers yesterday: 5 Innings Pitched, 6 Hits, 5 Runs (all earned), 7 BB, 5 Ks.  When you walk more than you strike out, it is most likely going to be a rough start, and he has had nothing but had starts for some time now.  At one point he had thrown 102 pitches.  52 were Strikes and 50 were Balls.  Some might say, "Thats not too bad", while I say, "That is god-awful!".  The Pirates need to do something because there is NO WAY you can have one of your starting pitchers struggle this much and expect to keep pace with the hottest team in the National League.  The Pirates have a 6 game road stretch, 3 at Chicago Cubs, then 3 at Cincinnati Reds before returning home to host the Arizona Diamondbacks for a 4 game stint.  To keep pace, the Pirates need to sweep the Cubs and Take 2 of 3 from the Reds.  If they can do that, or at least take 2 of 3 from both series, they will be right in the thick of things coming back to the friendly confines of PNC Park.