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OT: Kang Injury

Last night was a soporific preview of the Nutting boobie prize wild card play in game just around the corner. Can the Bucs score more than 2 runs against one of the league's best pitchers?
Sometimes you don't have to.
 
I think it's a big loss for the Pirates, but now once again our surplus of players comes in handy. Obviously Mercer will just slide back into the starting shortstop role, but personally I don't know if that's even their best option come playoff time.
I thought Harrison should've been playing shortstop the past couple years instead of moving around positions. It's where he played in college and he plays almost everywhere else in the majors, so I'm sure he could handle it just fine.
Not gonna happen, but I'd like to see our infield consist of Alvarez, Walker, Harrison, and Ramirez. I don't think doing that hurts you enough defensively to ignore how much better offensively they'd be. If Hurdle was worried about defense, Pedro wouldn't be playing first base ever.
Basically we have 5 infielders now without Kang competing for four spots. That'd be my preference, but I'm not the manager and most others probably wouldn't even agree with me.
 
Very tough break (literally and figuratively). Even worse that it came off a dirty play. Par for the Pirates course. From the numbers of times Cutch is hit, everyone knows the Pirates don't retaliate, so it's open season.

Kang was a nice piece of the puzzle they didn't have before who might have been the one who could have gotten them over the hump in the playoffs at last. This could even set him back even into next year or beyond too. Too bad.
 
It's good that Pittsburgh has another team built to win in the regular season like the Penguins.

I would love to hear you explain how this pirate team is built to win for the regular season and not the postseason.

Moreover I would love to hear how an ideal team is built for the post season.
 
Cubs had their best players in the game all 4 games. The Pirates did not. End of Story.
 
No, it's an indictment of Delpanther and his psychosis about Nutting. Embarrassing.
Only thing that embarrassing is your lack of reading comprehension and tendency to read negative inferences into the posts of people that sadly you don't like. The Pirates are not a good hitting team that in particular struggles against top quality pitchers, particularly the quality of pitcher that a team is likely to face in the first game of the playoffs, aka the Nutsack boobie prize game played on the day of the great Nutsack Northside Carney-Val. This point has been raised all year by the writers who follow the Pirates, in case you haven't noticed in between your stints doing the word search puzzles in the latest editon of AAAP magazine. You have to be a bit brighter than you let on.....
 
I would love to hear you explain how this pirate team is built to win for the regular season and not the postseason.

Moreover I would love to hear how an ideal team is built for the post season.
Easy-the league stinks, the Pirates are at best an very average offensive team which puts them at a distinct disadvantage facing a team's ace in a one game playoff-simple as that. The pirates just don't score lots of against decent pitching, particularly against teams in their own division. They're under .500 in divisional play-what does that tell you-they beat up on the league garbage(and there's lots of that) and struggle against the better teams. Hope I'm wrong but what we are seeing here is eerily similar to what we saw the last 2 years which shouldn't be surprising since Nutsack didn't do much of anything to improve his team offensively.
 
Only thing that embarrassing is your lack of reading comprehension and tendency to read negative inferences into the posts of people that sadly you don't like. The Pirates are not a good hitting team that in particular struggles against top quality pitchers, particularly the quality of pitcher that a team is likely to face in the first game of the playoffs, aka the Nutsack boobie prize game played on the day of the great Nutsack Northside Carney-Val. This point has been raised all year by the writers who follow the Pirates, in case you haven't noticed in between your stints doing the word search puzzles in the latest editon of AAAP magazine. You have to be a bit brighter than you let on.....
Actually, the Pirates have a pretty solid offensive team. BA, HR's, most other stats near the top of the NL. The point you make about hitting elite pitchers seems to be true of all NL teams, and, uh, THAT is why they are ELITE pitchers! I'd argue the Pirates recent softness has more to do with their starting pitching.
 
Actually, the Pirates have a pretty solid offensive team. BA, HR's, most other stats near the top of the NL. The point you make about hitting elite pitchers seems to be true of all NL teams, and, uh, THAT is why they are ELITE pitchers! I'd argue the Pirates recent softness has more to do with their starting pitching.

I'd argue that good hitting teams do break through even against elite pitchers from time to time. Against good pitchers the Pirates hitters are invariably patsies-they struggle to even score a couple of runs. Hope I'm wrong but if the Pirates play the Cubs in the play-in game and it's Cole against Arieta, you can just about script the game today. Elite hitters hit elite pitchers and always have! If you look at the Pirates struggles in the playoffs the last 2 years, it's been more about a lack of offense than anything else. The league is bad offensively overall but even at that, the Pirates, for a team that will win 90 games, have an embarrassing offensive team. Beyond McCutheon, who on this team can be expected to produce offensively in crunch time, particularly when facing a top notch pitcher?
 
You don't think Cole is an elite pitcher that the Cubs offense might struggle with? They did struggle just two days ago. Short memory?
When teams beat Elite pitchers, they usually scratch out a couple of runs, or the elite pitcher is having a bad day. That is why Elite pitchers have low ERA's. No team scores a lot of runs against them.
Good pitching stops good hitting every time. That is a baseball law tried and true over the ages.
The Pirates beat Cueto a couple of years ago to get into the playoffs, then played the Cards tough. Last year, the Giants pitcher shut them down, but also pitched lights out in the playoffs and Series, got MVP hands down.
The Pirates team this year is much deeper and balanced than the past two years. They aren't horrible and have a pretty good chance of advancing. They'll never do enough for you as long as Nutting is the owner, everyone gets that. But why not wait to see what they do instead of potentially embarassing yourself and disappearing when your predictions don't come true?
 
I won't use any negative adjectives to describe my feelings on Hurdle. The man drives me up the wall with his line-up changes and incessant supposed scientific explanations about rest , etc. This is not the time of the year to give key players games off. You have to go with your best. After all we WERE in a division race. yeesh!
 
I won't use any negative adjectives to describe my feelings on Hurdle. The man drives me up the wall with his line-up changes and incessant supposed scientific explanations about rest , etc. This is not the time of the year to give key players games off. You have to go with your best. After all we WERE in a division race. yeesh!
Hurdle follows the Monebalz approach, sabermetrics, quantum mechanics, OPS..all that useless gobblygook which ignores the fact that with about 18 games left in the season, you shouldn't be trotting out a bunch of scrubs in the second game of a double header against a team that's breathing down your neck in the playoff race.
 
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You don't think Cole is an elite pitcher that the Cubs offense might struggle with? They did struggle just two days ago. Short memory?
When teams beat Elite pitchers, they usually scratch out a couple of runs, or the elite pitcher is having a bad day. That is why Elite pitchers have low ERA's. No team scores a lot of runs against them.
Good pitching stops good hitting every time. That is a baseball law tried and true over the ages.
The Pirates beat Cueto a couple of years ago to get into the playoffs, then played the Cards tough. Last year, the Giants pitcher shut them down, but also pitched lights out in the playoffs and Series, got MVP hands down.
The Pirates team this year is much deeper and balanced than the past two years. They aren't horrible and have a pretty good chance of advancing. They'll never do enough for you as long as Nutting is the owner, everyone gets that. But why not wait to see what they do instead of potentially embarassing yourself and disappearing when your predictions don't come true?
I do believe Cole is good but i also believe that the Cubs will find a way to score 3-4 runs off of Cole et al(Bucco fielding blunders etc.)and that the Pirates will be lucky to score 2 off of Arieta.

Nutting will always be a bum no matter how the Pirates fare in the playoffs this year because he will never be motivated to do what's in the best interests of the team and the fans-his wallet will always be of paramount concern to him. The view on Nutting isn't a one, 2 or 3 year proposition. He's run a cheap, lousy manged organization until now and he will continue to do so as long as he's the owner. My view on Nutting isn't impacted by what the Pirates do this year. And I hope the Pirates win a world championship this year-that's not going to embarrass me. Don't confuse my rooting interests with my views on Nutting.
 
Hurdle follows the Monebalz approach, sabermetrics, quantum mechanics, OPS..all that useless gobblygook which ignores the fact that with about 18 games left in the season, you shouldn't be trotting out a bunch of scrubs in the second game of a double header against a team that's breathing down your neck in the playoff race.

Precisely my point, starting a 100 hitter at short was absurd! These guys are being paid lots of money to play a game they love. No wonder they really love it here playing for Mr. Mom! Another thing is, how can anyone expect the players to take winning seriously when your supposed leader isn't playing to win at all cost. Maybe I'm being old school but come on!
 
Hurdle follows the Monebalz approach, sabermetrics, quantum mechanics, OPS..all that useless gobblygook which ignores the fact that with about 18 games left in the season, you shouldn't be trotting out a bunch of scrubs in the second game of a double header against a team that's breathing down your neck in the playoff race.

No, he doesn't. If he used my approach he wouldn't be so damn inflexible on bullpen roles, in Aramis Ramirez being a deserving 4-hole hitter (or deserving of playing 3B period), or in having Andrew McCutchen patrolling CF.

He's the same as all the other managers. A dinosaur. Crippled by the myth that closers possess a special trait, that bunting is smart baseball, and that veteran players deserve undue deference based on past accomplishments when they're past their prime.

I do enjoy you just dismissing OPS though. A stat "calculated" using the triple slash line you hold so dear. Holy hell, Del, how old are you? Lol
 
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No, he doesn't. If he used my approach he wouldn't be so damn inflexible on bullpen roles, in Aramis Ramirez being a deserving 4-hole hitter (or deserving of playing 3B period), or in having Andrew McCutchen patrolling CF.

He's the same as all the other managers. A dinosaur. Crippled by the myth that closers possess a special trait, that bunting is smart baseball, and that veteran players deserve undue deference based on past accomplishments when they're past their prime.

I do enjoy you just dismissing OPS though. A stat "calculated" using the triple slash line you hold so dear. Holy hell, Del, how old are you? Lol
I just turned 150. On my way to Iowa City. Go Pitt!
 
Cubs had their best players in the game all 4 games. The Pirates did not. End of Story.
Very key point. It is possible to think Hurdle is a very good manager yet still call him out for things that he does. It doesn't have to be one or the other. This isn't April or May. And these guys aren't being asked to spend 10 hours on their hands and knees digging coal out of the earth. After an off day Monday, some of these guys can't play a day/ night double header? that's ridiculous. Like you said. get your best players out there every day and use your bench for what it is there for, Pinch hitting and late inning defense. Playing Rodriguez at short last week cost them a game. Playing Rodriguez in right the other day cost them a first inning run when a Cub scored from second on a hard single to right. With Polanco in the game like he should have been that runner doesn't even try to score. The other night Snider, who was in left because Cutch had to rest so Marte played center, misplayed a ball down the left field line into a run scoring 3 bagger. And yesterday Hurdle stared out onto the field while the Cubs were pounding everything Morton threw up there and waited til 5 runs were in before getting him out. Madden on the other hand lifted his guy in the 3rd after 4 runs scored. No messing around. No waiting for him to start pitching better.
 
Very key point. It is possible to think Hurdle is a very good manager yet still call him out for things that he does. It doesn't have to be one or the other. This isn't April or May. And these guys aren't being asked to spend 10 hours on their hands and knees digging coal out of the earth. After an off day Monday, some of these guys can't play a day/ night double header? that's ridiculous. Like you said. get your best players out there every day and use your bench for what it is there for, Pinch hitting and late inning defense. Playing Rodriguez at short last week cost them a game. Playing Rodriguez in right the other day cost them a first inning run when a Cub scored from second on a hard single to right. With Polanco in the game like he should have been that runner doesn't even try to score. The other night Snider, who was in left because Cutch had to rest so Marte played center, misplayed a ball down the left field line into a run scoring 3 bagger. And yesterday Hurdle stared out onto the field while the Cubs were pounding everything Morton threw up there and waited til 5 runs were in before getting him out. Madden on the other hand lifted his guy in the 3rd after 4 runs scored. No messing around. No waiting for him to start pitching better.
Exsactly the way I feel now and have felt about this dinasour. If they don't like to play everyday don't pay them millions. This is insane that we even talk about this sh..!
 
Hurdle follows the Monebalz approach, sabermetrics, quantum mechanics, OPS..all that useless gobblygook which ignores the fact that with about 18 games left in the season, you shouldn't be trotting out a bunch of scrubs in the second game of a double header against a team that's breathing down your neck in the playoff race.

AGREE 100%
 
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I do believe Cole is good but i also believe that the Cubs will find a way to score 3-4 runs off of Cole et al(Bucco fielding blunders etc.)and that the Pirates will be lucky to score 2 off of Arieta.

Nutting will always be a bum no matter how the Pirates fare in the playoffs this year because he will never be motivated to do what's in the best interests of the team and the fans-his wallet will always be of paramount concern to him. The view on Nutting isn't a one, 2 or 3 year proposition. He's run a cheap, lousy manged organization until now and he will continue to do so as long as he's the owner. My view on Nutting isn't impacted by what the Pirates do this year. And I hope the Pirates win a world championship this year-that's not going to embarrass me. Don't confuse my rooting interests with my views on Nutting.

ALSO AGREE 100%
 
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Very key point. It is possible to think Hurdle is a very good manager yet still call him out for things that he does. It doesn't have to be one or the other. This isn't April or May. And these guys aren't being asked to spend 10 hours on their hands and knees digging coal out of the earth. After an off day Monday, some of these guys can't play a day/ night double header? that's ridiculous. Like you said. get your best players out there every day and use your bench for what it is there for, Pinch hitting and late inning defense. Playing Rodriguez at short last week cost them a game. Playing Rodriguez in right the other day cost them a first inning run when a Cub scored from second on a hard single to right. With Polanco in the game like he should have been that runner doesn't even try to score. The other night Snider, who was in left because Cutch had to rest so Marte played center, misplayed a ball down the left field line into a run scoring 3 bagger. And yesterday Hurdle stared out onto the field while the Cubs were pounding everything Morton threw up there and waited til 5 runs were in before getting him out. Madden on the other hand lifted his guy in the 3rd after 4 runs scored. No messing around. No waiting for him to start pitching better.

AGREE WITH THIS TOO
 
Not only did Hurdle blow the Cubs series, but he knew Locke was pitching tonight vs. Greinke. The Pirates had almost zero chance to win tonight, combine that with the mismanagement in the Cubs series, and there's now a good chance we could be heading to Wrigley for the Wild Card Game instead of competing for the division.
 
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Not only did Hurdle blow the Cubs series, but he knew Locke was pitching tonight vs. Greinke. The Pirates had almost zero chance to win tonight, combine that with the mismanagement in the Cubs series, and there's now a good chance we could be heading to Wrigley for the Wild Card Game instead of competing for the division.
The way the Cubs are killing it, don't be surprised if the wild card game is in St. Louis. And don't get me started on Locke. The Pirates have been trotting him out there every 5th day and he has absolutely stunk up the joint, save for a good start last week. Morton can't be trusted either. If the Pirates get past a wild card game, and they would have a better chance against St. Louis because Arrietta has been unhittable, they need to go with a 4 man rotation with Locke and Morton on the bullpen pine.
 
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I'd argue that good hitting teams do break through even against elite pitchers from time to time.

In his last 15 starts Clayton Kershaw, the best pitcher in baseball over the last several seasons and no worse than the third best pitcher in baseball this year, has given up more than one run only twice. Oddly enough it was against the same team both times. Care to guess which team it was Del?
 
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