Pirates Bad Luck and Skid Continues vs Dodgers



Correia's Quality Start Streak Was Shattered by LA

The Pirates continue to struggle during this homestand, and even after the All-Star break.  Look at these statistics - The Pirates have given up the first run in their last 8 games, they've lost 5 of their last 6, lost 6 of their last 8, and 10 of their last 16.  They are a whopping 16-15 since the All-Star Break.  Well it looks like it isn't just James McDonald who has struggled since the break. 

The drought that is striking the midwest is also striking PNC Park (only for the Pirates though) as they couldn't even muster a run against the Dodgers on Tuesday night.  It was the 2nd game in the last 4 that the Pirates have failed to plate a runner in an entire game.  Enter the doom and gloom Pirate fans (most likely the wons who ran out to buy ZOLTAN t-shirts when the team got hot in the middle of the year, and most likely the same fans that don't even remember Brian Giles, Kip Wells, Jason Kendall, or even Jason Bay as a Pirate) who are hitting up the Twitter and Facebook worlds and harping on the firing of Clint Hurdle and Neil Huntington's failures as a GM.  Hold the phone, it isn't just those two guys who are in charge of having the team win.  Basically, this SAME team was in first place in the NL Central not too long ago.  Don't get me wrong, I think Hurdle needs to make some changes in the lineup and the starting rotation, but this team has proven that they can win...no need to get drastic. 

Luck on the other hand is something that tends to shift throughout the course of 162 games, and right now its on the bad side for the buccos.  I won't mention the play with Pedro Alvarez, but will mention how Neil Walker gets collided with by Kemp of the Dodgers, and there isn't runner interference as Kemp took a swipe at the ball...instead the bases get loaded and the flood gates open.  Andrew McCutchen has been cold these last few weeks, but it isn't like he isn't seeing good pitches.  The pitches that he was driving out of the park a month ago, are now turning into "just misses" and pop-ups.  When all was said and done last night, the truth is that the Pirates lost 11-0. 

So, what changes can be made?  For starters, I only start Rob Barajas (who is hitting an astounding .194) when AJ Burnett pitches or when Michael McKenry needs a rest day.  Pedro Alvarez is another player who takes a seat.  The bench needs a left handed bat, and Alvarez needs a bench to sit on...seems like a match made in heaven.  I would insert Josh Harrison at third, just because there is no one better to put there.  The starting rotation?  I'm going to refer to our Twitter friend (@mikevukkdka) for his rotation which I agree with - Burnett, Rodriguez, Karstens, Locke (promoted from BP), McDonald (for 1 more start to turn it around, then Leroux would get the call).  Its time for Hurdle to make some definitive changes to get this team going again.  You can't stair at the same thing night in and out and expect it to magically change.  Sometimes change is necessary...not drastic change, but change none the less.  Lets hope that Wandy can turn things around tonight...