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| AJ Burnett's Back to Back "Dud" Outtings Have Pirates Fans Questioning... |
St. Louis Cardinals - 6 (12 Innings)
WP - Siegrist
LP - Morris
Another day, another extra inning game, another heartbreaking loss for the Pirates. I'm getting sick of writing about this...especially against the Cardinals. I honestly despise the NL Central, but the Cardinals have their own spot of hatred in my heart. They are that annoying team that just hangs around. Injuries plague the team, they still win. Key players don't perform, someone else picks them up. Its quite aggravating but thats what good teams do. That is NOT the story of this game, in my humble opinion. The story is AJ Burnett. The knock on AJ has always been "His W-L totals are slightly off because he gets no runs support." "The offense NEVER shows up for the staff ace!" Well, first, I think Burnett might have been surpassed as the "ace" category on this team. Second, the last 2 times Burnett has taken the bump, the Pirates have given him healthy leads...only to have them squandered in ONE INNING's work. Talk about frustrating. Last year Burnett faded down the stretch, and alot of fans speculated that AJ's calf injury causing him to miss a month would actually benefit him in the long run. Let me get something straight. I am not saying AJ Burnett is a bum, and that he is worthless. No, I am saying that Burnett needs to prove that he has what it takes to thrive down the stretch when the games mean the most. After all, a guy that has meant so much to this team the past 2 years needs to prove his worth on the field as well as in the clubhouse.
The Pirates limp home for a 3 game set with the Diamondbacks after winning one game out of six on this most recent road trip. Looking at that makes me want smash something, but there is actually a silver lining to this ridiculous statistic. Even with the horrible play the Pirates displayed on this last road trip, they still have a 2 game lead over the Cardinals, and a 2.5 lead over the Reds. Any Pirates fan that thought the Buccos would walk away with the division aren't very educated. I think all 3 teams make the playoffs, but the question is who goes where. Who takes the Wild Card, and who takes the division. I think the Pirates have a good a chance as anyone. Let me tell you why...
Of the final 42 games remaining on the Pirates' schedule, as of RIGHT NOW, they play 24 games against teams with a losing record, and 18 with a winning record. Obviously if a team is around the .500 mark that could change in a week. Of the 18 with a winning record, the Pirates still play 6 games against the Reds and 6 against the Cardinals. Talk about huge games...those games might determine the division. Of the 24 games against teams that are below the .500 watermark, 6 of those are against the Brewers and 7 against the Cubs...both team historically give the Pirates fits. So, the Pirates have a golden opportunity to beat the teams with losing records to keep pace with the other teams in the NL Central and hopefully win those crucial matchups against the Reds and Cardinals. Ladies and Gentlemen of "Buc Nation"...welcome to important August and September baseball. Its been a while, its stressful, but isn't it fun? I know I'm enjoying it! Hopefully the Buccos get back on track tonight vs the D'Backs!
8/16/13 - Pirates vs. Diamondbacks - 7:05pm - Cole vs. McCarthy - ROOT SPORTS
8/17/13 - Pirates vs. Diamondbacks - 4:05pm - Locke vs. Cahill - FOX
8/18/13 - Pirates vs. Diamondbacks - 1:35pm - Morton vs. Miley - ROOT SPORTS
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