The Pirates Have "Cutch" and "Mr. Clutch"

"Mr. Clutch" Neil Walker

The Pittsburgh Pirates were "the Andrew McCutchen Show" the first half of the season.  Anyone that knows anything about baseball should have known that his numbers would drop in the second half for several reasons.  The pitchers wouldn't be giving him as many pitches to hit, and he would see more walks per AB.  McCutchen is still batting .370, which in today's Major Leagues still amazes me, but it hasn't been "Cutch" that has delivered time and time again the last two months, not that designation goes to the Pirates' second baseman, Neil Walker.

The Pirates have relied on the long ball at times this season, but it seems that since the All-Star break when they needed a big hit Walker was the man who came through.  Last night was no different for Neil.  The Diamondbacks took a quick 2-0 lead in the first until Walker blasted a 3 run home run to give the Buccos the lead once again.  After that, the Pirates had the bases loaded until Walker sent a gap shot double to the wall scoring two more, and eventually icing the Pirates vicotry by the score 7-6.  He ended the game 2-4 with a HR and 5 RBIs.  Those numbers have been more normal than abnormal this season.

He has already eclipsed his career best for HRs (previous best was 12 now has 13 after 107 games), has 38 extra base hits, and is hitting an astounding .320 with runners in scoring position.  He is batting just under .300 (.292) with a .357 on base percentage.  Those are solid numbers, and if you follow the trends it looks like these numbers will only be going up in the near future.  The only kink in the Neil Walker armour that I can see right now is that he doesn't hit as well right handed as he does left handed.  All of his 13 HRs have come from left handed at bats, and zero from right handed at bats. 

Needless to say, the Pirates needed someone else to step up besides "Cutch", and Neil Walker has done just that.  Not to take away from players like Garrett Jones or Michael McKenry, but Neil Walker is an everyday player that produces on a regular basis.  He will need to continue his strong season for the Pirates to take the NL Central division.