Enough Talk...Time to Prove It Buccos!!

Like "Cutch" Did Saturday, the Pirates Have Stumbled
Out of the Gates in the "2nd Half"

I know that I am not alone with my sentiment that this All Star break was a lot longer than normal.  Most likely because the Pirates are actually looking like a team to be reckoned with this season.  It isn't like in past years where the Pirates were an average team that was still hanging around amongst the Wild Card and Division discussion.  No, this team is a team that has the looks of a winner, and because of this the "Second Half" (even though the Pirates are past the midway point in a 162 game schedule) has been discussed relentlessly on Twitter, Facebook, and other social networking sites.  Talks of collapse, trade possibilities, and selling the farm for success this year have all been beaten to death with a sledge hammer.  With all of the talk, discussion, and debating...its time for the Pittsburgh Pirates to do their part.  What part is that?  Its time for the baseball club to give the fans something to discuss that actually involves wins and losses and not just intangible theories, thoughts, and opinions.

As you can tell from the Pirates losing 2 of 3 from the Reds recently, the 2nd half for the Buccos is no walk in the park.  However, the Pirates have faced a dooms day schedule like this before.  The Pirates had a phenomenal 1st quarter of the season this year when all the "experts" were claiming they'd be lucky to make it out alive.  The Pirates have another similar stretch coming up, but this stretch has a lot more meaning amongst the division and wild card.  The start left something to be desired as the Pirates dropped 2 of 3 to the Reds in Cincinnati.  From there it doesn't get much easier.  After leaving Cincinnati, they go to DC for a 4 game set with the Nationals, then its on to South Beach for a 3 game set with the Miami Marlins.  If that wasn't tough enough, the Pirates come home to a wonderful welcome home party...a 5 game set with the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park.  So, to sum up the upcoming schedule, thats 8 games out of 15 against divisional opponents, and 4 against the Washington Nationals that are slowly climbing back into the Wild Card discussion.  Plain and simple...these next 15 games are HUGE, and losing 2 of 3 to the Reds wasn't really the start everyone was looking for.  If the Pirates are able to stick to their current philosophy and just keep winning each individual series they will be set.  I know, I know...easier said than done. 

The Pirates have a lot going for them coming out of the All Star Break.  Not only should players be rested and rejuvenated, but the Pirates should be getting healthy at the right time.  Neil Walker (strained oblique) should be on the mend and ready to return in the next week depending on his rehab assignment in Indianapolis, Wandy Rodriquez continues to be the wild card when it comes to the rotation and if he is able to regain his form that he had before straining his elbow.  People also forget about Jeff Karstens and his ability to add depth to a bull pen that could possibly be taxed by seasons end if the Pirates starters can't go deep into games and force the bull pen to stretch thinner than they should. 

Who the Pirates play, the health of the team, and the Pirates ability to withstand the Reds and stay with the Cardinals within the division are all moot points when it comes to the "Second Half" Pirates we have seen the last 2 seasons.  This team is built differently and should be able to stay in games better than the Pirates of yester year.  This rotation has done a very good job of keeping the Pirates in games...then the question becomes...can the Pirates score enough runs to win those close games.  As Pirates fans witnessed the past 3 games, it can be a struggle.  We can talk about health of players, managerial moves, trade deadline acquisitions, and any type of potential collapse you can think of, but it all boils down to one thing...its time for the actual Pittsburgh Pirates team to prove their worth, and for "Buc Nation" to shut up and enjoy a meaningful second half of the season!  Lets Go Bucs!