Opening Day Lineup - Strange

[sychmd]

it seems like we dont play our starters much in ST, then expect them to be ready on day 1.
does anyone know how often other teams play their starters the last 2 weeks of ST.
is it because we are still auditioning so many players.
it is nice to rest them so they can last through the season but taking 6 weeks to catch up to MLB pitching puts us in a big hole. thankfully, our pitching comes out ready to play, but then burns out because of too many lowscoring games and being used to often because the score is 2-1 instead of us being out to a 5-2 lead.

 

[element1286]

it seems like we dont play our starters much in ST, then expect them to be ready on day 1.
does anyone know how often other teams play their starters the last 2 weeks of ST.
is it because we are still auditioning so many players.
it is nice to rest them so they can last through the season but taking 6 weeks to catch up to MLB pitching puts us in a big hole. thankfully, our pitching comes out ready to play, but then burns out because of too many lowscoring games and being used to often because the score is 2-1 instead of us being out to a 5-2 lead.

Took a quick glance through this. Nothing was noticeably different compared to other teams.

MLB Baseball Spring Training Leaders - Pittsburgh Pirates - Major League Baseball - ESPN

 

[ramburgh]

Thank goodness for Marte and McCutchen otherwise we might not have scored a run this year.

 

[thedddd]

Aint that the truth and heck even tonight they were part of all 3 hits so far that scored runs.
1. McCutchen doubling home Marte
2. McCutchen scoring on Sniders hit.
3. McCutchen sacrificing home Marte

Not looking forward to the first game without McCutchen.
Also lets hope Wandy's injury is minor.

 

[thedddd]

Starting to wonder why any even pitches to McCutchen, they are going to start to force the rest of this bad lineup beat them.

 

[Darkstone42]

The rest of the lineup can't be this bad. They can't be. But Marte starting to find himself is huge for this team.

 

[thedddd]

I agree it can't be this bad but great news to see Jones hit a HR. They REALLY need anyone to hit after McCutchen on a regular basis.
It was good to see not only Jones but Martin, Alvarez and Snider all get on base but they need more hits.

If not this will start to look like Marlins with Stanton.

 

[thedddd]

Didn't realize how bad Alvarez has been but now at 12 strikeouts in 25 AB's.

 

[Illinest]

Apparently the pirates have set the all-time record for lowest team batting average after 7 games. Also consider the fact that marte and mccutchen are responsible for most of the hits we do have.

Add in an injury scare to our (arguably) top starting pitcher and it's hard to feel good about anything.

 

[thecrow124]

With no one except Marte and McCutchen hitting, Hurdle might need ti start thinking, at least for a while, about hitting them together at the top of the line-up, just to maximize the amount of atbats they get. This is not a plan for long term success, just until they can get anyone else hitting.

 

[Darkstone42]

Marte looks great on the bases. And I thought for sure Walker had the RBI single, but it hung up just a little too long.

 

[element1286]

Marte looks great on the bases. And I thought for sure Walker had the RBI single, but it hung up just a little too long.

On the opposite end, JMac had a horrendous first inning; chest high fastballs or 55 ft bouncers. No control at all.

 

[Darkstone42]

On the opposite end, JMac had a horrendous first inning; chest high fastballs or 55 ft bouncers. No control at all.

At least the second was a little better...

Hopefully he settles in and the bats wake up.

Jones got a good piece of that ball, but not a good spot to hit it to.

 

[element1286]

Definitely frustrating game to watch, Kubel with a lazy fly ball that gets out of the park, while Jones, Walker, and Martin hit ropes that are at people, or just foul.

 

[Darkstone42]

Well that was a nice inning.

 

[element1286]

Suck it, bad luck!

 

[Darkstone42]

Not a good start for McDonald, but the damage control and ability to brush off that first inning was a good sign, in my opinion.

 

[element1286]

Not a good start for McDonald, but the damage control and ability to brush off that first inning was a good sign, in my opinion.

Definitely agree, would have been a disaster if he only made it through 2-3 innings.

 

[Darkstone42]

Is it just me, or is the strike zone small tonight? It's not really a knock on the umpire, because I think he's been fair and consistent, it just looks to me like a lot of really good looking pitches have been called balls.

 

[Darkstone42]

I have never liked Hughes as a pitcher. This year, he's looked really bad early on.