Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Game 68, Ryan Vogelsong at Pete Munro

Pete Munro is a right-handed flyball pitcher who doesn't strike out a ton of guys. At 29, he's not a prospect, and he's in the rotation only because he's holding Andy Pettitte's spot. Pettite embarrassed the Bucs earlier this year. We'll be happy to take our chances with Munro.

Over his short career, he hasn't had a lot of success as a starter, but he's been good as a reliever. This year, he's reversed the trend, and wasn't great in relief but has turned in two good starts since he joined the rotation on June 13. He's only thrown 73 and 86 pitches in these two starts so the Pirates can expect to see the Houston bullpen early if they can make Munro work. No Pirates have seen much of Munro.

In his thirteen starts this year, Ryan Vogelsong, our right-handed power/groundball pitcher, has not faced Houston. Two of his last three starts have been decent. He'll try to make it three of four. If he does, we'll begin to think that he's turned a corner.

Perhaps because Vogelsong generates lots of ground balls, Chris Stynes has started at third the last three times Vogelsong has started. Maybe we'll see him at third tonight.

J.J. Davis ends his rehab assignment today & will be back with the team tomorrow. He'll ride the pine, study the game from the dugout, and, sadly, not be an attractive pinch-hitting option for lefties or righties.

...while you're thinking about Ryan Vogelsong, go read Steve Novotney's article put up today.

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