DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
Getting ready for the first pitch …
Game: Pirates (71-66) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (74-63), 8:15 p.m., Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Pitchers: LHP Jeff Locke (6-3, 3.51) vs. RHP Adam Wainwright (15-9, 2.59)
TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan
Online: Live box score / Multimedia / Official media notes
Remember, not matter what happens the next few days, its not over till its over
If they lose the next 2, they’re 5 games back with 23 to play. Then, it would be over. Divisionally speaking.
True, but fat lady tuning up.
Stu
Big games today and tomorrow.
You know it Revvie!
Need to stay at work really late tonight & I’m actually glad. I don’t think I can bear to watch another missed opportunity. Maybe avoiding it will change their fortunes. Go Bucs!
Need these next two. Maybe its time to bring out some “hidden vigorish” and get a bounce or a call to go the Bucs way.
No goofs on the base paths would help!! What does Milo call those?
TOOTBLAN. Love the term, hate it when it happens to us.
I recall a pretty disheartening loss in game 1 vs STL last week, followed by positive results in the next 2. So, it is possible. But, we are away from home this time.
Pirates lineup:
1. Josh Harrison (R) 3B
2. Andrew Lambo (L) RF
3. Andrew McCutchen (R) CF
4. Neil Walker (S) 2B
5. Russell Martin (R) C
6. Ike Davis (L) 1B
7. Starling Marte (R) LF
8. Jordy Mercer (R) SS
9. Jeff Locke (L) P
Cardinals lineup:
1. Matt Carpenter (L) 3B
2. Randal Grichuk (R) RF
3. Matt Holliday (R) LF
4. Jhonny Peralta (R) SS
5. Matt Adams (L) 1B
6. Yadier Molina (R) C
7. Daniel Descalso (L) 2B
8. Peter Bourjos (R) CF
9. Adam Wainwright (R) P
No time for blown saves or Sept. Call up heroes.
Didn’t post this in orig. thread – afraid it would be buried. But is anyone else with 20-game plans getting jerked around with postseason options? On 8-21, got EM saying my purchase window was Sept 4-5, with specific log-in time to be emailed to us Sept. 3. ( 1 of 2)
Yes, it is pretty much the way it is, you should have gotten a new message today
TODAY, Sept 2, we get EM saying that NOW our window for postseason strips is from noon Mon, Sept 8 thru 5 pm Tue, Sept 9. Problem is, we have to go out of town on Mon the 8th, leaving @ 11 am. What DON’T they get about COMMUNICATION, customer service, PR, not p***ing us off?
Ike on 1B. Good or bad?
Compared to what?!
Me? lol!
Feelin lucky, punk?
Better than Gaby!!!!Just not sure how much better?????
Interesting stat: Barmes hitting nearly .350 against Wainwright.
Nice job by Locke to wiggle out of that one.
4-0 Cubs over Brewers, top 2.
Russell!!!!!!!!!!! SIGN HIM NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
++++++++++++++
Hurdle can’t wait around for Locke to figure this out here. Their lack of urgency baffles me.
Definitely feelin lucky.
Nothing more comforting than the pitcher not knowing the signs in the middle of a pennant race.
I’ve had a night to sleep on this and I’m really perturbed over some of Hurdle’s moves (or lack thereof). Not understanding that he can’t see Locke is schizophrenic this year. NO time to wait around anymore when he’s Bad Locke. Putting this loss on Clint.
Money, organizational expectations, wasted money, wasted 40 man roster spots, horrible bullpen, Pedro yips, Ike/Gaby, Liriano odd year, and Hurdled.
.
Yep, I think I got everyone.
.
Let’s see, if the Pirates can overcome their obvious holes with Brewers losing Gomez.
You missed the most errors in the NL.
Ya, Milo, but take out Pedros 20 or so mindless throws and it looks a bit better. Not great… but better.
Paul Maholm… errr, I mean Jeff Locke gives back the run.
Excellent at bat by Wainwright. Worked Locke to death. Not all that bad a pitch, but he just has to put it in play. For a pitcher, I am some what impressed.
This is going to be ugly.
Good choice for Hurdle, who does not deserve the implied criticism in my earlier Barmes stats.
1. Love Jordy’s blast. 2. If I have to hear Greg Brown babble, “Mercer, Mercer me!” Again, i may gouge my eyes out.
Yes, too many “calls”, not like a bug on the rug, or the ball had eyes on it, or we had them all the way, its just too much at times
Pretty nice bounce back for Jordy Mercer after the atrocious April. Hopefully, he’ll finish strong and can start next season in a better spot.
Jordy has become a plus defender at short – and a good bat. A year ago there was a lot of bashing.
Funny how that changes when he gets better. Crazy, right?
The headline writer for SI has a junior high sense of humor. Or maybe its me?
That made me google it. After I was done giggling, I saw that Wes welker was suspended for meth? Not straight meth, but meth mixed in the other drugs he was taking at the Kentucky Derby. Not trying to go off topic, but wow.
What place did he come in? I didn’t even know he was running.
People up here loved him. For good reason. This is really sad news.
AW – awesome. They asked him if he used but he said “nay”.
For any interested. I try to keep the blogs on topic, but http://www.si.com/nfl/2014/09/02/wes-welker-suspended-amphetamines-molly-adderall-ped-use
I guess the good news is that Locke will use up all 100 pitches by the 4th inning. That is good news, isn’t it ?
Maybe he should change his name to Jeff Wocke
Seems like Locke has a history of weakening the inning after the Bucs tie it up or go ahead. Seen this much too often. No wonder Ray was hot.
Is this the left hand version of Steve Blass??
I give up – I want to root for these guys, I really do. But I am perplexed – I though Ray Searage was a great pitching coach. WHY CAN’T his pitchers throw strikes? And if they can’t – why are they still on this team>?
I hope the Pirates are paying close attention to how this is done.
Too late. Crushed by the bottom third. Ugh.
Pitching on this team is going to kill any chances of the playoffs but Neal said we didn’t need anyone????
Big time clutch outing by Locke. Thanks. How about bringing in the New Zealand palm-ball guy?
Clint knows when to Holds ‘em.
Here we go Steelers – Here we go!
Turn out the lights on your way out.
This is a complete non sequitur, but I wonder who Vin Mazzaro p*%$ed off ?
Actually not a non sequitur Milo – lots of guys got banished for reasons that were never made clear. Others seemed to get a pass for sup par performances. Tis a mystery to me…
Not this year, lack the killer instinct when called on. to many game where they tried to stay in the game. That is a loser mentality. to many guys glad to be here.
Nice catch by Lambo.
Lambo keeps the game interesting. Very nice play for a first baseman . . .
And, they refused to call this guy up and give him a chance. Some things do not add up. He and Mazzoro peeved someone off.
What confuses you-the great Hurdle would much rather have a Clint Barmes for $2M or a Gabby Sanchez for $2.5M than give a young power hitter a shot. He punished Pedro & trotted Ike Davis out almost every day. Marte was person non grata while Cutch played awful CF.
What’s your issue with Cutch? Do you actually think we would have a better record if Marte had been in center field?
And the next day you don’t take a shot at Ike will be the first. I think everybody knows your position by now.
Yes AW, they would have a better record with Marte in Center & Cutch in left. A game or 2-but given how things are a couple of games matter a lot. Marte has an arm!
As for Ike-you tell me-how much WORSE would they be had they plugged Lambo in at 1st around the All Star game?
It’s not that I don’t respect LL’s right to have an opinion, but I just know what it is cause he tells us all the time, and I don’t agree with it, and it is pointless to argue cause he just keeps spouting the same stuff. I was told to leave him alone and I will.
Carlos,
Sorry if I have upset or offended you-I won’t apologize for caring passionately about wanting to see another World Series win for my Pirates. I am not a ‘baseball genius’-I am a fan. To me Teke was right-the streak that matters is at 35 & counting. LET’s GO BUCS!
No offense taken LL, just agree to disagree on some (many) points. Again I respect your right to have an opinion, just don’t agree with most of yours. But as we all know opinions are like a**holes – everyone has one and they all stink.
Lame response, LL. You seem to be assuming everybody else isn’t passionate. There’s a difference between being passionate and being repetitive and annoying.
We get it. Cutch should be in left and Ike should be shown the street. We don’t need being reminded every single day.
And that’s the answer I would expect from LL…
Again, I steer clear. Even a down vote for that guy caused a problem the other day. Just agree to disagree. And move on.
Yikes. Ima go to my safe place now.
Jeff Locke really looks like Mary Carillo.
Jeff might actually be better looking
If Jordy Mercer raced Neil Walker, would it ever end ?
Not until Matheny challenged the result.
All these extra players called up, sure let Cumpton hit for himself.
Now watch him get knocked out.
Doesn’t even matter how he pitches. There is no justifiable reason for him to bat there. If they wanted him to pitch multiple innings then they should have used someone else to finish that inning. Or used a double switch.
I count 34 active players for tonight’s game. Mind boggling decision.
May be a tough September so without a serious financial commitment next year like a 90 million payroll, this small market crap has to end. You can’t win with Ike, and Gabby and T Sanchez and reclamation pitchers who fold in big moments.
Backwards K. Two weak rollers. Great inning. Playoff fever. Catch it!
Back to yesterday’s bunt or no bunt decision. Watching Game 5 of 1979 WS last night on ESPN Classic, and with the Pirates down 1-0 in the 5th or so, with guys on first and second, Tanner bunted.
I believe that Stargell then hit a sac fly, and Madlock got a single. 2-1 Pirates.
You mean Tanner wasn’t worried that Willie would have his bat taken out of his hands?!
Really enjoy seeing the crowd in St. Louis. Beats getting shots of the dugout, where we might actually see something interesting.
Like it looked like Pedro was limping.
Be happy. No dumb signs to show. While I am at it, not many kids showing off for the cameras. Enough grouching.
I like to grouch, thank you very much.
No kids or grandmas doing the
zoltan sign? For 20 seconds at a time after they are clearly uncomfortable with the situation? I miss that.
I do, too, AW. The admonition was self-directed.
So this is what it looks like when you’ve dumbed down the playoffs so much that a team 4 games over .500 is still in the race in September.
Not really fair, Milo. There were years under both prior systems where teams could make it with records barely over .500. Unless you want to go back to pre-divisional playoffs.
True, like ’97 when we weren’t any good either.
Good point.
But we made a move, we got Shawn Dunston? He hit two dingers his first game. I was there
IMO the thing was and might still be there
Unfortunately, my promise to not diss on NH precludes me from commenting further
Biz, you’ve really mastered this passive aggressive Neal Huntington posting. I love it.
You really hamstrung yourself, didn’t you Biz? For what it’s worth, I won’t hold it against you if you violate your pledge.
If they don’t sign Martin, which is the case IMHO, that leaves a hole at first or third depending on Pedro. Walker to third, Mercer, JHay and Pedro. that is my guess next year. But Martin is key and young staff that will make up the pitching will need him.
At least Marte still cares.
For the Brian Kenny crowd that think pitcher’s wins don’t mean anything. If this score holds up, Wainwright won this game with his bat. That’s what separates the great ones from the also rans.
The fact that he gave up 4 runs in 6 innings is secondary. The fact that he finds ways to win the most important games is what should matter.
And conversely, on two different occasions tonight, Locke allowed him to do it. You have to be able to strike out the pitcher in those types of situations. This game really comes down to those two at bats.
Tell me again why we picked up Axford?
Axford is beginning to look like Frieri Part II.
NH is like Ellis Island. Give me your tired, poor and washed up relievers.
Game 7 mentality. Not quite.
Now we have a raspberry in the bullpen to go with the mushroom on the bench.
At least it will be interesting to see a pitcher whose name I can’t spell, but sounds French.
Lafromboise.
Cards scored their last run because they moved the runner over after the leadoff double. We didn’t. It’s the little things.
So if you are a guy trying to break away from the clutches of old media. How do you feel when the most active forum has.
AW-
Patrick-
Reading-
Milo-
Chetthejet-
Biz-
Carlos
being the only posters in the last hour – since my last post….
Hmmmm….
Only an hour? Seems like seconds.
Wait, what is the question?
My vote is you are a Knucklehead
Dude, I would love to claim myself as “old media”. Might include that on my linked in profile tomorrow. Seriously, this is the last response I will ever have to any of LL’s comments. Not sure what he wants, but it isn’t discussion or conversation.
Attention. Positive or negative makes no difference.
More like he wants to be a victim of a non-existent victimization. Again, not fueling it at all anymore. Good luck on your journey, LL. Whatever that journey is.
6-9 pitcher. Fred Green was pretty tall and Candy man as well, but 6-9 may be the record.
Oh good, open auditions for next year !
This 6-9 dude is … wow, how was this stuff in independent ball this summer? 96, late movement AND a palm ball? You kidding me?
That inning was impressive
But, well, we’ll see
Where the hell has this guy been? 6’8″ throwing gas with movement. Are u kidding me?
Honestly, DK and I were typing at the same time. Hard not to have the same reaction to that performance.
New 7th inning guy!
finally passed the dug test perhaps. How do you miss a 6-9 pitcher who throws 96?
Cards own this division. Bucs are close but don’t pitch good enough.
Next game is a must win. If they net one loss maybe, but a sweep at this stage is a disaster.
Downward plane. Plus plus palmball. Upper 90s heat. Pedestrian move to first. (can’t have everything). NH has been sandbagging us.
I try not to get involved in disputes in comments. The personal stuff has to stop. If it doesn’t, it’ll get deleted. Thanks.
So is calling someone a knucklehead beyond the line? Just asking
You gotta lead, Dejan, what personal stuff? I have no idea what you are upset about.
Come on
smh
There is basically ONE PERSON THAT IS A PAIN and people who paid to be on this site get sick of reading his stupid nonsense. If we could block people than maybe it would help but don’t get on US for responding to the omnipresent ridiculous remarks from ONE PERSON
The Marte bat flip-HR trot was great. Need more of that against the Birds on the Bat.
Was listening to the game on the radio. What was with all the wild pitches tonight? They must have been all over the place, if so many were getting by the usually reliable Martin.
Martin didn’t have his best game, but yeah, a lot of balls got dirty.
Clearly, the right move was to make no move.
…Twice.