Pirates Have Look Of A Contender

The Pittsburgh Pirates are no longer the team that is doomed to fail once again.  I can say that with a completely straight face too!  I was able to watch the Pirates finish up their 3 game set in Colorado yesterday and I must say they have the look of a contender not just for the wild card, but possibly the division crown.  Why the sudden optimism with the Buccos?  Simple.  Yesterday I saw the Pirates' superstars struggle, and they were still able to mash their way to a 9-6 victory and take the final 2 games of the 3 game set.  Stars like Neil Walker and Andrew McCutchen went hitless ending their respective hitting streaks, and Pirates' ace James McDonald looked lost on the mound for the 2nd straight start.  Nonetheless, it were the other players that picked up this team from a 5-1 deficit to come from behind and take care of business to raise the good ol' Jolly Roger.  Home Runs by Pedro Alvarez, Garrett Jones, Casey McGhee, and Rob Barajas were plenty of offense for the Bucs to bring home the series win.  They have the day off today before having a 2 series homestand with the Marlins and the Cubs.  I will say that McDonald's struggles are troubling as he and AJ Burnett have been the rocks of the starting rotation all season.  It might be time to have "J Mac" go through some of those Erik Bedard's "tweeks" in his mechanics that can possibly make a difference.  The Bucco bats bailed him out, but we all know that isn't always going to be the case.   If the bull pen can remain solid, and the starters can at least get to the 7th inning, the Pirates are going to be poised to make a run. 

Let me be the first to say that as the Steelers are gearing up to report to training camp next week, I can't remember the last time that the Steelers might have to take a back seat to a COMPETITIVE BASEBALL TEAM IN PITTSBURGH!!  It is truly a thing of beauty and something we all should be enjoying! GO BUCS!