Game 74: Pirates at A's

McCutchen at Cahill at ten.

A lot of drama packed into the playoff odds.

Game 73: Lincolnmas IV

Lincoln and Sheets at ten.

Defensive shifts would be more entertaining and perhaps more effective if they occurred right before and during every pitch. For example, two seconds before each pitch every infielder sprints toward the plate. Hitters could not concentrate with that kind of distraction, especially if a strategically-chosen subset of Bucs either jumped into the air, or dove in a strategically-chosen direction.

Game 72: Pirates at Texas

Karstens and Feldmen at eight.

Maybe Maholm needs to rest up for the playoff run like Duke.

Game 71: Pirates at Rangers

Maholm vs. Nippert and the lowly bankrupt Rangers at eight.

Game 70: Pirates at Rangers

The NL Central's hottest team take on the hapless, small-market Rangers at eight.

Ohlendorf and Hunter are the starting pitchers.

Off day

No game for the red-hot Pirates.

Game 69: Indians at Pirates

Masterson and Lincoln at one thirty.

Fueled by last night's win, the Pirates' playoff odds surge to 24 percent of a percent of a percent. This is exciting and magical.