Occasionally I will change horses and write about baseball, my favorite sport as a child. With fresh ideas about our penguins that are scarcer than a steel wheat -cent from 1943? This is one of those cases.
To borrow a line from the immortal Harry Doyle In the celluloid -hit, Major League“In case you have not noticed,” our Pittsburgh Pirates play a bit beautiful baseball. Following the heels on an ugly five-game losing binge, the type of baseball fans of Steel City have already become too accurate, the Battlin ‘Buccos went 12-6, including series victories on the Blue Jays, Red Sox and now the Dodgers, the defensive World Series Champs.
In the process they have reached the rare .500 mark (51-51) under Rookie Manager and resident of Pittsburgh Don Kellyhave replaced Derek Shelton On May 8 after the BUCs from the Startpoort had fallen in a shameful 12-26 clip.
That is a lot of improvement in a relatively short time. Is it real, or just a case of smoke and mirrors?
I believe the first. Despite the penetrating negativity that surrounds the club as an impenetrable shroud, Kelly has his charges competitive, fundamentally healthy baseball. Quite a change in the bungling, bad news buccos under Morris Botermaker… is … shelton.
Even without Gold Glove Third Sacker Ke’bryan HayesDriven downstream to the Reds at the Handelsdeadline, the defense has been solid. Even downright good. The pitching has been excellent, especially after sailing the left -wing Bailey Wankel And Andrew Heaney From the rotation. Even the many malignant bats contribute to the cause with a few timely hits.
Maybe just as important? The players seem to be binding to a close -knit group while they develop a tangible esprit de corps. Not so much SWAG as a calm trust and faith in itself.
Again, Credit Kelly for teaching much needed positivity and direction of direction.
On to a touchier topic – GM Ben Cherrington. He has been under fire almost the entire season. Certainly, part of the criticism is justified. However, Cherrington also deserves a huge amount of credit for putting together a young, Fire Balling Pitching staff that quickly becomes the envy of MLB.
Has Cy Young candidate Paul ScenesFormer All-Star Mitch Keller” Johan Oviedo and swingmen Braxton Ashcraft” Mike Burrows” Carmen MlodzinskiNot to mention the latest sensation, Bubba ChandlerOur rotation may be seven deep. That does not include Jared JonesRestoring an internal brace procedure to his judge (throwing) elbow.
De Bullpen, anchored by 29-year-old Castoffs Dennis Santana And Isaac MattsonHas been surprisingly difficult.
What about the Line -up? Still a work in progress. Despite the presence of HIGAL CRUZThe club misses everything that looks like a consistent power bat. Entangled in a horrible 6-from-59-Malaise (.102) that the Series Final of Thursday evening against the Dodgers, the Mega donated Status Phenom seems to be completely lost on the plate, without idea how they can adapt to the endless stream of sloppitches and the breaking of balls he sees.
Perhaps a special percussion instructor who was devoted exclusively to Cruz would help. The raw talent is there. But for now the big guy is eaten alive.
I wander.
On the positive side, raised by veterans Tommy Pham” Andrew McCutchen And Bryan ReynoldsThe BUCs embrace an opportunistic, infringement of the committee approach. Especially Pham has emerged as an edgy leader reminiscent of AJ BurnettNot to mention the clutch butcher.
To the honor of Kelly, he gives the children a lot of runway to show what they can do. Some like Nick Gonzales And Jared Triolobloom. Others, especially former first pick Henry Davis And once promising outfielder Jack Suwinskihave made an effort. But at least they get their licks.
Despite his difficulties on the plate, Davis blooms in a fine defensive catcher. Nobody works harder.
There is still a long way to go before the pirates become a legitimate playoff. This low season will be critical. It is imperative Cherrington, if he still runs the show, lands a middle-of-the-line-up thumper or two to support the young pitchers.
Given his consistent sparkle, the criminal SKENES (2.05 ERA) is only a 9-9 pedestrian record to show for his highest efforts. With powerful top choice Konnor Griffin Faster through the system rises than a bread of listened bread, for the first time in a long time there is real hope for better days ahead.
#Buccos