8/16 Pittsburg vs Red Sox in Steeler Country , 7:05 EDT

[vegasbob]

The irate Pirates take on the making a move (?) Red Sox in an interleague 3 game set. The Sox should dominate the 45-70 Pittsburgers.

 

Nick Pivetta ( 8-9 ) vs Mitch Keller ( 4=8 , 4.25 ERA, 1.41 Whip)

 

Sox started this 16 game stretch needing to go 11-5 to get above .500 and see the Orioles tail lights more clearly. In the first 10 games , they went 4-6 , thank you Royals, so the 11-5 is out of the question. They do need to take all 3 in Pittsburg and 2 of 3 vs O's to have some chance of passing 4-5 other WC contenders in the coming 6 weeks.

[dgalehouse]

The Pirates are one of the worst teams in MLB. Sox cannot have a let down here. Have to beat these kind of teams.

[vegasbob]

Featuring the return of Kike Hernandez, playing at SS to give Xander 2 days off.

[vegasbob]

Bases loaded, no outs in the 1st. Either the RS make a statement and take this game right now, or keep the Pirates in the game

[vegasbob]

Dugo gets a hit for 1. Devers not running real well to protect the hamstring stays at 3rd

[vegasbob]

Another hit by Arroyo, but still only 1 run because JD doesn't run well. One base at a time

[vegasbob]

Still no one out , 3 runs in. Pirates look like they are already done Kike gets an rbi on a sac fly in his first swing in awhile

[mvp 78]

DFA Kiké

[a700hitter]

Featuring the return of Kike Hernandez, playing at SS to give Xander 2 days off.

You have to wonder how long he was bothered by the bad hip, because he has looked like hot garbage at the plate for most of the season except for one hot streak.

[vegasbob]

You have to wonder how long he was bothered by the bad hip, because he has looked like hot garbage at the plate for most of the season except for one hot streak.

 

I think you may have similar situations with JDM's back and Dever's hamstring this month. Kike may have been affected by the hip all Spring

[vegasbob]

Pirate fielding skills could use an upgrade

[mvp 78]

Boring game and the mic in the stands needs to be muted.

[vegasbob]

Boring game and the mic in the stands needs to be muted.

 

Agree that it is an amazingly boring game, but maybe a non-stress win is a welcome thing once in a awhile. It should set the tone for the next two games, although I need to be careful due to the it's not over until it's over" adage.

[mvp 78]

Dennis Eckersley on the Pirates (roster construction, payroll, etc):

 

"You talk about a no-name lineup. There's no team like this."

 

"This is a hodgepodge of nothingness."

 

"It's ridiculous. It really is. Pathetic."

[vegasbob]

And the Sox , with a 5-0 lead looking good, have 5 singles, taking advantage of walks and errors . Kike still in early season form

[vegasbob]

7 inning shutout with under 100 pitches by Pivetta. Just what a good #3/4 should do vs a weak opponent. Should even his record at 9-9 .

[mvp 78]

Austin Davis not being able to get these AAA guys out is embarrassing.

[a700hitter]

7 inning shutout with under 100 pitches by Pivetta. Just what a good #3/4 should do vs a weak opponent. Should even his record at 9-9 .

Pigs are coming in from the pen.

[Tedballgame]

Terrible job by Davis. Whitlock will have to close it out.

[Tedballgame]

I am going to enjoy listening to Eck the rest of the season because there will never be an analyst as good as him in the booth.

[Tedballgame]

Why Barnes?

[a700hitter]

Barnes facing 6,7,8 and I still don’t feel good about it.

[mvp 78]

The Matt Barnes Experience

[Tedballgame]

Barnes facing 6,7,8 and I still don’t feel good about it.

 

Nor do I but it helps when a guy swings at a ball in the dirt for strike 3.

[Tedballgame]

Ump missed that strike 3.

[Tedballgame]

Good for Barnes to get an 1-2-3 save. Maybe he can build on that.

[Tedballgame]

Good job by Pivetta tonight.

[moonslav59]

Dennis Eckersley on the Pirates (roster construction, payroll, etc):

 

"You talk about a no-name lineup. There's no team like this."

 

"This is a hodgepodge of nothingness."

 

"It's ridiculous. It really is. Pathetic."

 

They have a nice park. That's about it.

[moonslav59]

All around good effort.

[moonslav59]

Pham the Man!