Pirates Recipe For Success - Please Follow Directions

Will PNC Park See the 1st Postseason Game in it's History?
Follow My Recipe and They Will Be On Their Way...

The Pirates didn't quite come out of the gate as "gang busters" in the second half of the season.  Of their 10 game road trip, they finished 5-5.  Not horrible.  Not great either.  The Pirates have been extremely inconsistent, and that very inconsistency cost them a few games that could have turned this road trip from average to great.  Two games in particular pop out as games that could have made this trip a 7-3 trip, rather than a .500 trip.  First, was the 4th game of the Pirates vs. Nationals series.  The Pirates had 3 errors in the first inning that allowed the Nats to jump out to a 4-0 lead.  The Battlin' Bucs would storm back to tie it up in the 9th only to see Bryce Harper walk it off with a 2-Run HR in the bottom of the 9th inning.  If the Pirates showed the consistency in the field, that game would have been theirs and they would have swept the Nationals.  The other game happened yesterday when the Pirates (coming off a 14 hit performance) lost 3-2 and struckout 13 times.  That's right.  13 times.  Reminds me of Ferris Bueller's Day Off when the principal calls home and tell his mother that Ferris has missed school "NINE TIMES"...and it echoes over and over again.  13 Ks in a game is inexcusable.  Many members of Buc Nation are already clamoring about a collapse, but I honestly don't see it happening.  Plain and simple, the Pirates pitching is just too good.  Nonetheless, the Pirates can see some major success here down the stretch if they follow my recipe.  Just like any recipe, you have to follow the ingredients or the dish turns out to taste like trash. 

- Be Active at the Trade Deadline - The big question that I keep asking isn't "what will the Pirates give up?", but rather "can the Pirates win without making any moves?!"  This team has been successful, VERY successful, with their inconsistent offense and their outstanding pitching.  However, I can't help but think this team will struggle to contend if they don't make SOME moves at the deadline.  If the Pirates front office decides to NOT make a deal at the deadline, then at least the fanbase knows the future is bright; however, if it comes down to winning THIS year...then some moves need to be made.

- Be Willing to Change - Change is a word that carries alot of meaning with it, but in this case I am mainly talking about the Pirates hitting.  The Pirates seem to have a game plan going into every game.  Sometimes it is to attack the pitchers that tend to want to get ahead by throwing that juicy fastball right down the pipe on the first pitch.  Sometimes the game plan is to be patient and work the pitching staff.  Either way you look at it, both have their place in baseball.  What needs to change is the fact that some times those game plans need to change during the game.  Hitters approaching the plate sometimes look confused when getting behind in the count, and sometimes down right lost.  Jay Bell needs to preach for them to be SMARTER hitters and not so much to follow a specific plan each game.  Great hitters know the count, know the pitcher, and know the situation and can adapt accordingly.  Maybe this coaching staff doesn't think this team has those players, but something needs to change for the Pirates to gain consistency in the hitting department.

- Keep Pitching Your Butt Off - The pitching staff has carried this team...no doubt about it.  Look back to last season and one of the main reasons why there was a collapse was mainly because the bull pen faltered and the starting pitching wasn't as successful.  If the Pirates want any shot at the NL Central, a Wild Card Playoff spot, and even a winning season...they are going to need the pitching staff to continue this pace.  The bull pen has been flat out unbelievable, but will be tested to their limits with Jason Grilli out for 4-8 weeks.  The Pirates pitching staff will be tested, but they need to be up to the test.

- Don't Overemphasize ANY Series With 55+ games Remaining - As early as two days ago it became glaring obvious that fan bases over react in the sport of baseball.  Sure, the Pirates lost 2 of 3 to the Miami Marlins, but listening to Pittsburgh sports talk radio you would have thought that the Pirates were just eliminated from playoff contention.  There are 162 games in the MLB baseball season, and the Pirates still have a lot of baseball left to play.  Sure, this Cardinals series is big, but at the same time teams will get hot, and cool off throughout the remainder of the season.  The Cardinals just got swept by Braves, and they can struggle with the remainder of the season still to play.  Plain and simple, this is a big series, but NO series is make or break until the last few weeks of the season when its win and in, or win and go home.

- You Don't Need to Sweep Everyone - Speaking of the rest of the season, the Pirates just need to win each series.  Everyone loves the sweep, but it isn't NECESSARY for the Pirates to get where they want to go.  Baseball teams are going to lose games, its just the nature of the beast, but if you can just win more than you lose in each and every series...you will be just fine.  Clint Hurdle has seen his team collapse twice the past 2 seasons, and this approach will certainly go a long way towards the Buccos seeing success instead of collapse.

If the Pirates are able to follow these simple rules, then there will be no issue with contending for the division, or at least locking up the Wild Card.  I know what you are thinking, easier said than done, but the ingredients to accomplish the recipe are not outlandish in any way, shape, or form.  No, they are fundamental principles of the sport of baseball.  Follow the recipe, and the Pirates will be seeing postseason baseball for the first time in 20 years.