DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
Getting ready for the first pitch …
Game: Pirates (60-53) vs. Miami Marlins (55-58), 7:05 p.m., PNC Park
Pitchers: RHP Edinson Volquez (8-7, 3.91) vs. LHP Brian Flynn (0-0, 6.00)
TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan
Online: Box score / Multimedia / Official media game notes
Marlins
LF: Christian Yelich
2B: Jordany Valdespin
RF: Giancarlo Stanton
1B: Garrett Jones
CF: Marcell Ozuna
C: Jarrod Saltalamacchia
3B: Donovan Solano
SS: Adeiny Hechavarria
SP: Brian Flynn
Pirates
LF: Josh Harrison
SS: Jordy Mercer
C: Russell Martin
1B: Gaby Sanchez
CF: Starling Marte
3B: Jayson Nix
RF: Gregory Polanco
2B: Michael Martinez
SP: Edinson Volquez
Dude — I think you posted the Indy Indians lineup by mistake.
^Easily the best handle on Dejan’s site thus far.
I see four pitchers in that lineup. WOW!!
Sure would’ve been fun to see Volquez bringing 98 mph gas out of the bullpen Tuesday night and a new starter filling his spot in the rotation.
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Does anyone know when teams are allowed to acquire other players in an effort to improve their outlook on the rest of the season?
Obviously not yet.
I heard Neal on the Fan this morning & he said he was surprised how many teams with losing records were claiming guys ahead of them.
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Am I correct that from April thru July that wasn’t an issue ?
Yes, until August 1 players can be traded without being put on waivers.
Now thats an argument DK needs to hear right there. Any improvement to the starting rotation inherently improves the pen. Of course getting direct pen help would be a lot cheaper than your top two prospects and 2 more pieces
I hear you on starter cost, but man, if the Dodgers consider Roberto Herndandez an upgrade to their staff then the Pirates sure as hell could’ve used him or someone like him. And those guys are going for prospects that don’t have names.
want no part of Fausto Carmona, but WHY is Vin Mazarro not up in Pittsburgh RIGHT NOW? NH is making CH STILL play with only 3 worthy late inning relievers….At the very least we should see Mazarro and possibly Andy Oliver UP and Gomez and Frieri gone.
I just have a sinking, depressing feeling about the Pirates. I fear a dreadful August that puts them soundly out of the race. Hope, I’m wrong.
Oshie….I said back in February when they were in spring training that I felt this team would take a step back this year. And, I hoped I was wrong. So, they are in race in August. That being said…you still may be correct by the end of this month.
Would really be reassuring to see Polanco take a couple quality AB’s tonight against what amounts to a AAA lefty. I honestly hadn’t noticed just how bad he’s been against LHP until now.
Dreadful really. It seems to be a theme in the majors right now though. Now more than ever lefties just cant hit lefties. At all. Its crazy.
Great comment. I can’t tell if it’s a matter of simply being more aware in the internet age – I mean, I certainly wasn’t sorting splits during my lunch hour 20 years ago – or actually worse performances. I still think I’d lean towards the latter.
Given the bucs record of late against southpaws I would like to congratulate Brian Flynn on 6 innings of 1 hit ball and perhaps his first victory. Enjoy it while it lasts kid.
The best thing about baseball this season has been the Hunter Pence signs. You gotta love youth. Oh, if the Royals could overtake the Tigers and make the playoffs, that would be cool too.
Hunter Pence changes his oil every 3000 miles.
The BEST thing about this season (other than our Bucs staying in the post-season longer) would be if neither the Yanks nor Sox made the play-offs.
I guess this is what amounts to a hot streak for Gaby, so he gets to hit cleanup again. Blecch. However, donde esta choices?
For some unknown reason, Gaby bats cleanup almost every time he starts. Since June 1, I believe he has 7 RBIs.
Well, either Ike or Walker bat cleanup when Gaby doesn’t start – which is against RHP – so it actually makes perfect sense that he’d hit cleanup when he does start, which is against LHP.
Then of course there is that little fact that he hits LHP better than anyone on the roster not named McCutchen.
Maybe last night was the start of a hot streak for Gaby. He’s been pretty much asleep at the wheel in 2014
Gaby is hitting .253 vs. LHP with 2 HR and 11 RBI. Not exactly lighting it up.
“Gaby has in fact hit LHP less this year (118 wRC+) than his career average (141 wRC+), but just to add a little perspective, he’s still been the 10th best 1B against LHP in all of baseball and the best platoon hitter at that position in the game.”
Mercer is .325/2/13 and JHay is .307/2/9 vs. LHP. Everyone else is poop.
If Gaby is the 10th best in MLB, the guys below must stink a lot more than Gaby does.
Except Chris Stewart, actually. Go figure.
The Mets and Nats are 3-3 in the bottom of the 13th. One or both teams are using the last of their relief pitchers. Good ball game (so far). I now know why it’s wrong to back the Mets.
Ooops. Nats win with walk-off homer by Harper one minute after last post.
That bum should be in the minors.
I apologize if this was already mentioned but Ryan Shazier will start right away at ILB.
Alex Rios cleared waivers:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/08/07/alex-rios-has-cleared-waivers/
Brett Gardner, Martin Prado, Stephen Drew cleared waivers.
http://www.si.com/mlb/2014/08/05/brett-gardner-martin-prado-stephen-drew-clear-waivers-new-york-yankees
I’d LOVE Prado but can’t see the Yanks moving him.
Why do you feel they wont go for Rios?
Has he been hurt this year? His average is .293, OPS .735, with 4 HR & 45 RBIs. Against lefties, he is batting .358 with a .990 OPS. He makes $10 million a year and is a FA in 2015. NH should go after him.
I dont think he did have a significant injury. He played in 110 games this year.
According to Heyman, Rios has an option for 2015 but team can buy out for $1M. I think the money left for this season is about $4.6M or something like that. Heyman speculates Rangers may have to eat some salary, too. Definitely NH should kick the tires on Rios. Easier than Byrd.
I doubt if they’ll go for him
Gunner, you are probably right, but I’m not sure why they wouldn’t want an OF at this point that can hit LHP well and has speed. He fills a hole now with Cutch down, and after Cutch comes back, he can spell Polanco and Marte, esp. Polanco vs LHP. And he isnt a 2015 obligation.
That just makes too much sense to consider!
I have convinced myself that tonight’s unnamed lefthander of little to no pedigree is Warren Spahn. That should lower expectations some.
I see CH is using bubble gum, bailing wire and duct tape tonight on the starting line up.
Very true. Travis Sawchick said on his blog the other day “The Pirates’ pitching staff has essentially been held together with chicken wire, duct tape and Vance Worley”.
That’s all the Pirates need at this point is for Martin to go down
Always good to put up a zero when you’re facing Warren Spahn.
Spahn and Sain and pray for rain
Oneof the great lines in the sport. Tnx for mentioning.
Dear NH,
Sign RUSSELL MARTIN NOW!!!!!
Sincerely,
The Lunatic Fringe
Allow me to be the first to sign your bodacious petition.
Absolutely.
GREAT post Milo!
The California contingents vote ‘EYE’
Do you think it would affect cutch if he was making $8.5MM but we paid Martin more for a new contract?
That’s a good question that only Cutch can answer. If he wants to win, you wouldn’t think it would bother him. The Pirates could always extend Cutch to a new deal as well. When does Andrew’s current contract expire?
I believe the contract runs through 2018 season. Long time for an MVP to watch other player sign for more money. That would bother me. Just sayin. But then again I am not cutch.
YESYESYES!!
140 hits in 117 AAA innings this year (1.538 WHIP) for Brian Flynn. I’m sorry Warren Spahn. Sorry, shouldn’t have looked up the stats.
Don’t look now, though Milo, this dude is pitching like Spahn against us. Bats need to get going.
I’m using it as a defense mechanism to lower my expectations & make myself feel better. It’s working. Marginally.
I hear yeah Milo.
The Pirates aren’t going to acquire an outfielder to play 3-4 games. How in the world is this even a topic?
3-4 games? What secret information do you have?
Yeah, give us the scoop. Cutch coming back Saturday?
He can’t reveal his “sources”.
It will be surprising if we get any production out of 4-9, tonight – no matter who is pitching.
Need some luck.
Jordy leads off the fourth with a double in a brazen attempt to troll Gaby Sanchez.
Ok. There’s the luck.
An old pro should be able to plate a run.
Once through the lineup and this guy is toast. Hopefully.
Excellent at bat for Gregory!
Kid is gonna be alright!
Kid don’t throw too bad either!
Stepping up. Nice game for Volquez & Polanco. Who needs an MVP.
Jordy 3-3. He likes that 2-spot.
Murders lefties.
Love the picture from your vantage point Dejan.
Agree….beautiful image! Never ever tired of seeing that view.
Some lucky guys get paid to sit there
April notwithstanding, Mercer crushes LHP.
Patrick ? Those bunt attempts ?
Too busy being ecstatic with lower order production to notice.
I joined the party late tonight and someone may have said this, but, who would have ever thought, at any time, we’d see Jason Nix @ 3rd for Petey. Wow…that is just too much. I totally understand the bereavement situation, but it still seems really wierd to see.
Potato Pete – the Roy Hobbs of pierogies.
3 in a row?!
I want to see him do the “Mashed Potato”.
Outstanding, Milo.
Milo on a roll tonight
I’d like to bottle this game up nd pull it out next week vs. the Tigers….or Nationals….or Cards….or Brewers…. Just oneof those wonderful games. Hope it holds.
Night all….4:30 comes fast.
Sweet dreams, Justice!
Good evening Jandy.
Hey Hey Barb, I’m gonna sign that Bodacious petition!
Is it my imagination or does that Stanton dude look like a ballplayer?
Football or baseball or both?! 6’5″ 250lbs
Your imagining things!!
I just wanna know how much longer before the fish can’t afford him. Oh wait nevermind…
0-3 tonight…feed the fishies with him …
You think they’ll take nix and snider for him? Or will we have to include fieri?
EYE don’t want him
Really? You wouldn’t want stanton in our OF?
Well….I guess it’ cuz his attitude reminds me of that azzmunch Braun….rubs me the wrong way…
Oh ok. I know nothing about him other than his stats and demeanor at the plate.
He’s a good ballplayer
Can we keep Nix at third just for his arm?
I spend a lot of time criticizing our GM. But I was 100% wrong about Edinson Volquez. That’s $5 million well spent.
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Now we return to our regular programming.
I agree Milo. Now let’s see if he’ll spend that and more on Russell Martin. He is a huge piece of the puzzle that needs to be kept.
Milo, not sure if you heard but Dustin Jeffrey was picked up by vancouver.
I did. I hear Vancouver is beautiful between riots.
:laughin:
OMG Milo, you’re outdoing yourself tonight.
Its like WV. Win or lose there’s a riot.
Milo, you may want to go for a walk. Wilson in the bull pen.
:snicker:
I hope he is ok
ditto
This should be automatic. Straight to the hospital. Period.
He doesn’t look good, even if he is saying “I’m alright”. You’re right Milo, straight to the hospital for cat scan.
Anyone who thinks he is ok, is kidding themselves. He’s on another planet right now.
Wow that was horrible. I feel for Jennings and Jordy Mercer. Jennings didn’t look like he knew where he was even as they were taking him off the field.
Nice, Martinez!
Nothing like winning a series against a decent team with a 20-man roster. Enough with the hiding of players on the ML roster!
So no benchmonsters today? Guess i picked the wrong game to watch
Here’s the worst part about it for the knot head:
Coo Coo: I threw a hard fastball and he blasted it right off my head.
Other Dude: Who was the hitter?
Coo Coo: Jordy Mercer, The shortstop
Other Dude: Who?
DK, do NOT stand up for the wave!!
Marte gettin’ in a groove!
Dayum, I LIKE this
So do I. I really, really like these kind of games.
Martinez is the only starter without a hit so far
I just said, I’d love to see him get a hit…he tries so hard…and that play he made last inning was great…
Scatch “so far”
Guess they’re afraid Frieri would start another war.
And he might!
You get something constructive done last inning Milo?
I watched Big Brother.
Looked to me like Lunchie beat the throw
YEAH!!!!
Is it rude to challenge a call with a 7 run lead in the bottom of the 9 th?
Not in my book it isn’t.
Tony LaRussa thinks it’s excessive.
He thinks?
Jandy, no brain… no headaches!
LOL Tooch!
The master of the unnecessary move would not approve?
David Ortiz would have had it reviewed!
So true!
Why? The Diamondbacks would do it?
HeyJ, do you like Meadows. Next time I’m in town, I’ll buy the treat.
Stu
sure do…and you’re on
Stolmy moving up the food chain by default.
He’s looking good
OK, maybe not.
dayum
Maurkice Pouncey will be charged with battery down in Miami
Should only get him a two game suspension. Precedent was set.
Oops.
So much for never hitting a HR at PNC
Free Stolmy!
To AAA.
I like the aggressiveness by Stolmy there!! Challenge him with a 7 run lead. Just don’t walk him
MERCY !
OK…4am comes too soon…night Loonies!
raise that Jolly Roger!
+++ What day is it, anyways?
TGIF BABY!!!!