It was part prediction, part promise, probably part throwaway line, but the man still essentially foresaw this whole wonderful weekend sweep of the Mets, confidence and cockiness included. What’s more, he did so way back in February, barely a week into the Pirates’ spring training in Bradenton.
Stop reading and click this video, paying particular attention to our exchange at 1:15:
To repeat for emphasis, I asked about the rotation potentially having a serious big three in himself, A.J. Burnett and Francisco Liriano, a trio that could strut into a stadium for a weekend series against a bona fide contender and collectively intimidate them.
To which Cole offered: “Absolutely. Absolutely. It’s a competitive advantage that we have.”
When I followed up as to whether that might frighten opponents: “I hope so. They should.”
Pirates 4, Mets 1, Friday night.
Burnett spoke in similar terms this spring, telling me: “I think it can be a really special rotation. And I know we’re going to get the most out of each other. I can promise you that.”
Pirates 8, Mets 2, Saturday night.
Liriano, too: “There’s so much pitching, so much talent here. We know we can be great.”
That final on PNC Park’s scoreboard Sunday capped a three-game set in which the home team not only basked in endless sunshine for two sellouts and 110,506 in total attendance, not only pounded out 21 runs and 29 hits, not only pulled back within a W of .500, but also — and most important, if you ask me — reestablished that the foundation of this franchise is firmly intact.
That foundation being a fully legit big three in the rotation.
At the moment, actually, the very best in Major League Baseball.
This sport’s behavior, its personality and quirks, always have been built on both its daily grind and its relentless high rate of failure, especially if weighing that a hitter failing 70 percent of the time has a fine chance at Cooperstown. Thus, we’ll most often examine the last and worst things we see. It’s human nature. So when the Pirates plunged four games under with that flat-line sweep by the Twins that preceded this, the first reflex for most of us, I’ll safely assume, was to look at what’s immediately wrong. We’re all talking about Jordy Mercer starting slowly, or Corey Hart not producing off the bench, or Radhames Liz in relief. And that only magnifies when other facets get straightened out, such as Andrew McCutchen and Josh Harrison both looking very much like themselves again.
Myself, I wrote about focus and effort. I examined small plays that went awry, Starling Marte not hustling, that sort of thing. Guilty as charged.
If this weekend should remind any follower of anything, it’s that what matters most, even in baseball, is what can go right, both immediately but especially in the long term.
Stuff like this:
True to Cole’s spring scenario, the Pirates headed into a weekend both reeling and facing a surprising New York team that was 24-18 despite half its roster on the disabled list. Late May is no time for do-or-die, but a sweep in the reverse might have put a big-time damper on playoff hopes, much less chasing the Cardinals and Cubs for the Central title.
But also true to Cole’s scenario, Cole nearly went the distance Friday and fanned 10. Burnett vowed to top those Ks Saturday and wound up matching them. And Liriano, fresh off that two-inning touchdown Tuesday, roared back the best way he knows how: Get righties and lefties alike to flail at that back-foot slider.
It was vintage Liriano in every respect, and he seemed satisfied:
The answer really was going to be that simple: Out-pitch the other guys. Never mind that the Mets rolled out young studs Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard for the first two, then smart lefty Jonathon Niese for the finale. And never mind all else that was ailing the Pirates. The three combined for the first back-to-back-to-back double-digit strikeout performances by a Pittsburgh starter since 1969, only the third in baseball’s modern era that began in 1900.
“All these three did was pass the baton all weekend,” Clint Hurdle was saying. “I mean, our starting pitching gave us 21 innings and struck out 32 guys. They gave up nothing.”
When I asked how much that meant: “We needed it. We needed this weekend. We needed to play some good ball.”
Chalk some of that up to “fun competition between the three, how they always push each other” as Ray Searage did in a good talk we had afterward:
But also be sure to identify that those three are taking ownership of the Pirates’ process as no one else on the roster — not McCutchen, not Harrison, not anyone who doesn’t work off a mound for a living — could possibly do.
That’s not being skeptical. It’s looking at reality through a quarter of the schedule: The Pirates aren’t looking like they’ll be a great offensive team, and they’re definitely not destined to be great on defense. They might be no better than average at either.
But when they score a measly three runs, they’re 20-6.
Process that for a second.
Then factor in that, even with Jeff Locke and Vance Worley stumbling early and the future unclear for Charlie Morton beginning with his Monday return against the Marlins, the Pirates’ starting pitchers have a 3.22 ERA that’s second-lowest in the majors — nemesis St. Louis leads, naturally — and rank fourth in strikeouts, seventh in lowest batting average against, second in fewest home runs allowed.
They’re really, really good. I’ll save any other superlatives for later in the summer, but suffice it to say for now they’ve got a real chance to be the best 1-2-3 in franchise history over the course of a single season, no small feat in the context of a century and change.
And contrary to any other views stated here or anywhere, they’re what this is all about.
“They’re our fuel, and I think you could feel that in here all weekend,” Jared Hughes said of his view from the pen. “The fans were stoked. We were stoked. Those guys are out there getting the job done, and doing it like that … man, it’s hard to top.”
Cole laughed when I asked if he remembered that spring interview.
“No chance,” he quickly came back. “There are so many.”
I tried, anyway. Reminded him briefly of that weekend scenario.
“Hm. Nope. Sorry.”
That was that, I thought.
As he strode out of the clubhouse, though, he spun around and barked back, “Arizona!”
When I cast a quizzical expression, he added, “We did it in Arizona, too. All three of us.”
With a wink, he was off.
OK, funny man. So it’s something that clearly wasn’t on his mind April 24-26 in Phoenix, when he, Burnett and Liriano swept through the Diamondbacks.
Baseball is and always has been pitching first. You can out slug a team in a game but you can't 't out slug teams over a season. The 1927 Yankees, considered by many to be the best hitting team of all time, doesn't win the pennant without a pitching staff had a 3.20 ERA that season.
I'll take those three performances, don't get me wrong. But the Mets lineup stinks.
But when Liriano gets that outside corner from the umpire like he did today, doesn't matter who it is. Here's hoping Charlie Morton can help stabilize the backend.
In 1984 the Pirate staff lead the NL with a team ERA of 3.11;
ERA+ of 117; a team WHIP of 1.256; and were 2nd in CG with 27.
And yet still finish 6th in the division with 75 wins.
Pitching will not ALWAYS lead you to the promised land.
Unless you were promised a disappointing season.
aso5018
5-24-2015, 8:00 pm
This team can still be very good offensively when the MVP is playing like the MVP.
It's easy to take Cole and Liriano for granted, but it is really amazing to see what AJ is doing this year. That dude is killing it. If those three guys stay healthy all year, we're going to be tough.
I still think the key difference maker is Charlie though. When he's on, he's unhittable. And that curveball after a Frankie slider fest is going to be tough for opponents on back to back nights. If he's healthy and can do that we've seen him do many times, like on nights in Cincinnati when he tends to own the Reds in that park, then we're legit series contenders. The offense will work itself out. Cutch seems to be getting healthy, J-Hay is fun to watch as usual, and Marte is an All Star OF this year.
Health and Charlie, and a healthy Charlie, are all that we really need.
The story this weekend for me is the hitting not the pitching, Even with the three great outings, the Pirates still needed 5 2/3 of pitching from the pen. The great hitting took all the pressure of the bullpen. Burnett, Cole and Liriano pitching lights out is important, but the hitting heating up to me is the headline.
For the series: 21 runs for the Pirates, 4 for the Mets. Almost too many positives to highlight, even if New York is depleted by injuries.
zimm73
5-24-2015, 8:11 pm
It's pretty amazing watching the footage of these interviews, every single interviewee seems so relaxed and seems to answer every question openly and honestly. That's usually a good indication that the interviewer is a pretty quality guy.
Great column, great series. This team is just so streaky, which is what happens when guys might get a little full of themselves on a winning streak and maybe don't leg-out grounders or don't charge balls in the outfield or don't throw to the right base. Great teams do all those little things ALL the time, which don't look like much but over a season can add up to a championship. They have a great group of players, I believe this rotation just took charge of the team and showed them why it's important to not let up.
HA! Take that everybody! I got a plus ten septillion (yep, I counted them)! Thanks man, glad we're in agreement.
Scott Hey Hey
5-24-2015, 8:19 pm
Having Burnett back this season adds that healthy competitiveness between them. I'm happy he's back with the Buccos, if for no other reason than that internal fire he brings to the pitching staff as well as the team. Add that he's still at the top of his game, and I have high expectations for this season.
I was trying to think who was the last Pirate pitcher with his pedigree. Drabek? Not homegrown, but dominant.
Biz
5-25-2015, 12:25 am
Not too many from the PBC have won the Cy Young award, winning a batting title and MVP are different though. Mr Cole does seem to have the necessary fire though
frankkuchno
5-25-2015, 4:28 am
Anyone old enough to remember Bob Veale?
In 1964.......won 18 games......more Ks than Sandy Koufax (and the entire league) .....and ERA of 2.74. And not a single Cy Young vote.
My favorite Bucco pitcher from my youth.
LOVED to watch him pitch.
frankkuchno
5-25-2015, 4:30 am
@Steelag 70
Your post beat me by about 9 minutes.
KUDOS!!!!
frankkuchno
5-25-2015, 4:33 am
Cole reminds me of a more mellow (a wee bit) Bob Gibson.
Talented.....intensity off of the charts. Love him!!
jordanwhite1025
5-24-2015, 8:38 pm
I really enjoyed this article. Well said all around.
Beautiful column, but I have to disagree about the offense. While their starters were obviously dominant, they also scored 21 runs against some pretty good pitching, including seven off Matt Harvey. JHay and Cutch are getting hot, Marte is driving in runs and Kang just looks solid all he way around. You know that Walker will hit and that Pedro will be Pedro, meaning that if he goes on one of his tears, he can carry the team on his back for a couple of week and Polanco just has so much potential. All I know is that if the offense can produce consistently to anywhere near what they are capable of, and if this pitching staff stays healthy, this will truly be a fun summer around these parts.
Francisco Liriano takes the field Sunday at PNC Park on his way to 12 strikeouts. -- JARED WICKERHAM / GETTY
May 24, 2015
Column: The big three rise up to a promise
by Dejan Kovacevic • Columns • Pirates
BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC
Gerrit Cole called it.
It was part prediction, part promise, probably part throwaway line, but the man still essentially foresaw this whole wonderful weekend sweep of the Mets, confidence and cockiness included. What’s more, he did so way back in February, barely a week into the Pirates’ spring training in Bradenton.
Stop reading and click this video, paying particular attention to our exchange at 1:15:
To repeat for emphasis, I asked about the rotation potentially having a serious big three in himself, A.J. Burnett and Francisco Liriano, a trio that could strut into a stadium for a weekend series against a bona fide contender and collectively intimidate them.
To which Cole offered: “Absolutely. Absolutely. It’s a competitive advantage that we have.”
When I followed up as to whether that might frighten opponents: “I hope so. They should.”
Pirates 4, Mets 1, Friday night.
Burnett spoke in similar terms this spring, telling me: “I think it can be a really special rotation. And I know we’re going to get the most out of each other. I can promise you that.”
Pirates 8, Mets 2, Saturday night.
Liriano, too: “There’s so much pitching, so much talent here. We know we can be great.”
Pirates 9, Mets 1.
That final on PNC Park’s scoreboard Sunday capped a three-game set in which the home team not only basked in endless sunshine for two sellouts and 110,506 in total attendance, not only pounded out 21 runs and 29 hits, not only pulled back within a W of .500, but also — and most important, if you ask me — reestablished that the foundation of this franchise is firmly intact.
That foundation being a fully legit big three in the rotation.
At the moment, actually, the very best in Major League Baseball.
This sport’s behavior, its personality and quirks, always have been built on both its daily grind and its relentless high rate of failure, especially if weighing that a hitter failing 70 percent of the time has a fine chance at Cooperstown. Thus, we’ll most often examine the last and worst things we see. It’s human nature. So when the Pirates plunged four games under with that flat-line sweep by the Twins that preceded this, the first reflex for most of us, I’ll safely assume, was to look at what’s immediately wrong. We’re all talking about Jordy Mercer starting slowly, or Corey Hart not producing off the bench, or Radhames Liz in relief. And that only magnifies when other facets get straightened out, such as Andrew McCutchen and Josh Harrison both looking very much like themselves again.
Myself, I wrote about focus and effort. I examined small plays that went awry, Starling Marte not hustling, that sort of thing. Guilty as charged.
If this weekend should remind any follower of anything, it’s that what matters most, even in baseball, is what can go right, both immediately but especially in the long term.
Stuff like this:
True to Cole’s spring scenario, the Pirates headed into a weekend both reeling and facing a surprising New York team that was 24-18 despite half its roster on the disabled list. Late May is no time for do-or-die, but a sweep in the reverse might have put a big-time damper on playoff hopes, much less chasing the Cardinals and Cubs for the Central title.
But also true to Cole’s scenario, Cole nearly went the distance Friday and fanned 10. Burnett vowed to top those Ks Saturday and wound up matching them. And Liriano, fresh off that two-inning touchdown Tuesday, roared back the best way he knows how: Get righties and lefties alike to flail at that back-foot slider.
It was vintage Liriano in every respect, and he seemed satisfied:
The answer really was going to be that simple: Out-pitch the other guys. Never mind that the Mets rolled out young studs Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard for the first two, then smart lefty Jonathon Niese for the finale. And never mind all else that was ailing the Pirates. The three combined for the first back-to-back-to-back double-digit strikeout performances by a Pittsburgh starter since 1969, only the third in baseball’s modern era that began in 1900.
“All these three did was pass the baton all weekend,” Clint Hurdle was saying. “I mean, our starting pitching gave us 21 innings and struck out 32 guys. They gave up nothing.”
When I asked how much that meant: “We needed it. We needed this weekend. We needed to play some good ball.”
Chalk some of that up to “fun competition between the three, how they always push each other” as Ray Searage did in a good talk we had afterward:
But also be sure to identify that those three are taking ownership of the Pirates’ process as no one else on the roster — not McCutchen, not Harrison, not anyone who doesn’t work off a mound for a living — could possibly do.
That’s not being skeptical. It’s looking at reality through a quarter of the schedule: The Pirates aren’t looking like they’ll be a great offensive team, and they’re definitely not destined to be great on defense. They might be no better than average at either.
But when they score a measly three runs, they’re 20-6.
Process that for a second.
Then factor in that, even with Jeff Locke and Vance Worley stumbling early and the future unclear for Charlie Morton beginning with his Monday return against the Marlins, the Pirates’ starting pitchers have a 3.22 ERA that’s second-lowest in the majors — nemesis St. Louis leads, naturally — and rank fourth in strikeouts, seventh in lowest batting average against, second in fewest home runs allowed.
They’re really, really good. I’ll save any other superlatives for later in the summer, but suffice it to say for now they’ve got a real chance to be the best 1-2-3 in franchise history over the course of a single season, no small feat in the context of a century and change.
And contrary to any other views stated here or anywhere, they’re what this is all about.
“They’re our fuel, and I think you could feel that in here all weekend,” Jared Hughes said of his view from the pen. “The fans were stoked. We were stoked. Those guys are out there getting the job done, and doing it like that … man, it’s hard to top.”
Cole laughed when I asked if he remembered that spring interview.
“No chance,” he quickly came back. “There are so many.”
I tried, anyway. Reminded him briefly of that weekend scenario.
“Hm. Nope. Sorry.”
That was that, I thought.
As he strode out of the clubhouse, though, he spun around and barked back, “Arizona!”
When I cast a quizzical expression, he added, “We did it in Arizona, too. All three of us.”
With a wink, he was off.
OK, funny man. So it’s something that clearly wasn’t on his mind April 24-26 in Phoenix, when he, Burnett and Liriano swept through the Diamondbacks.