(Opening image credit Gene Puskar, AP)
Last night, the Pirates beat a free-falling Cubs team 1-0 to move to 21-24 on the season. SP A.J. Burnett qualified for the win with 5.1 innings of shutout, 6-hit ball, while four members of the surprisingly strong bullpen combined for 3.2 scoreless innings. A quick rundown of thoughts:
1. The strength of the entire team’s pitching has been the only thing keeping the Pirates themselves from plummeting into the NL Central basement. After an impressive showing until August of last year, perhaps it is time to give some of these arms more credit.
2. As bad as the signings of SS Clint Barmes and C Rod Barajas were, so far, GM Neal Huntington’s free agent signing of SP Erik Bedard, and trade for Burnett have been positives. Despite a 4.19 ERA, Burnett is striking out over 8 batters per 9, and has kept the Pirates in 6 of his 7 starts, surrendering no more than 2 runs (outside of a 2.2 IP, 12 ER albatross) in each. Of those 6 starts, A.J. wen...
Found May 26, 2012 on
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