New acquisition Wandy Rodriguez starts tonight against Andres Galarraga Jr. and the hapless Astros.
Clearly a must-win situation for the Pirates. The MLB playoff structure heavily favors division winners this year.
Astros have lost eleven in a row. You'd think they'd be desperate for a win, but nooo, apparently this is not the case.
Good on the Steelers for signing Antonio Brown long term. Mike Wallace has overplayed his hand. I'm not sure what will come of him, but I do not despair of losing him to either cowardly play in 2012 (does he think he will die before the end of this season?) or some kind of trade/holdout.
Also entertained that a die-hard Steeler fan is going to buy the Cleveland Browns. That's committment, right there.
Karstens and Lyles on central time.
Not excited about the idea of trading Kevin Correia, who has won seven of his last ten starts. Starters don't go on trees and a team always needs more starting pitching than most expect.
Anyway win meter humming happily. New picture for the beer fort wall.
Burnett and Keuchel tonight at 8.
Two and a half games out of first, the Pirates are literally chasing the Reds, who leave Houston happy.
Getaway day underway. Dempster and Correia dueling; Blatz fumage in the home plate area.
Cubs up on a Frank Rizzo home run.
Pirates acquire longtime Pirate-killer Wandy Rodriguez.
One less hap for the hapless Astros.
Maholm and McDonald at seven.
Pirates are 54-41, a game and a half back of the Votto-less Reds.
Facing a pitcher with a pedigree like Maholm's, the Pirates might be fortunate to scratch out two infield hits. McDonald will need to bring his A game.
Bedard and Samardzija tonight.
Just a half game back, the Bucs need wins against the hapless teams.
Anibal Sanchez and Jeff Karstens in an hour.
Pirates are 53-40, 1/2 game out of first. Last year on this day they were 51-46 and one game out.
Kids run the bases after the game.
