CHAMPS!

Congratulations to the 2014 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates!

Here in the Beer Fort we will stay untucked all offseason. We now turn to cheering the Steelers on to another consecutive Super Bowl Championship.

World Series Game 4: Royals at Pirates

Game on. It is quite a scene in PNC Park. The first 40,000 fans were given champagne goggles. The Pirates have taken the field, untucked and in champagne goggles. Even the umpires are wearing champagne goggles.

Pirates up 4-0 on that inside-the-park bunt home run.

World Series Game 3: Royals at Pirates

Up 2-0 after that 21-run win, people are wondering if it possible for the Pirates to sweep this series in only three games.

Game underway. No score, but the Pirates are threatening. Vanimal and Guthrie are the starters. Vanimal pitching in prescription champagne goggles.

World Series Game 2: Pirates at Royals

Game on, and the Pirates are up 3-0 after Cole's stupendously placed 3-RBI bunt.

Untucking in the Beer Fort. The sweep feels inevitable.

World Series Game 1: Pirates at Royals

Liriano and Shields tonight at 8.

In a bizarre PR move, the Bucs have added Manny Sanguillen to the World Series roster, who will serve up barbecue to the players in the dugout.

It appears the PBC will not be wearing champagne goggles for Game 1.

NLCS Game 4: Cardinals at Pirates

The Pirates look to close out this sweep tonight at home. The untucked Pirates, anticipating another steamrolling of the hapless Cardinals, will play the game in champagne goggles.

Several layers of decorative bunting adorn the inside of the Beer Fort.

Shelby Miller and Jeff Locke will be the starters.

NLCS Game 3: Cardinals at Pirates

The PBC look to continue the sweep of the hapless passed-out-at-the-red-light Cardinals. It will be the Vanimal vs. Lackey, game starting soon.

Here in the Beer Fort, we already have our champagne goggles on, and are already completely untucked. Next stop, World Series.

NLCS Game 2: Pirates at Cardinals

Pirates look to extend their series lead to 2-0 after last night's commanding win. By hitting for the cycle, driving in seven, and turning that unassisted triple play in the second, Jay Hay may have played the greatest game in NLCS history. None of this matters without the series win, of course.

Cole and Lynn starting. Rob Mackowiak has re-joined the team and will be available as a pinch hitter.

NLCS Game 1: Pirates at Cardinals

Liriano vs. Waino, starting soon.

NLDS Game 4: Nationals at Pirates

Former White Flag Ryan Vogelsong makes his dramatic Pirates return tonight after being claimed off waivers yesterday. He will face Gio Gonzalez.

Rinku Singh has been suspended for the rest of the postseason for his Chan Ho Park-style drop kick to Bryce Harper's face yesterday. The mysterious Romulo! Sanchez has come out of hiding and retirement to fill Rinku's bullpen spot.

NLDS Game 3: Nationals at Pirates

After that 15-inning nailbiter on Saturday, the Pirates bring the series home for game 3.

Fister and Locke will be the starters. Game on at 7. Stadium will be LOUD.

NFL Week 3: Steelers at Jaguars

Amidst the Pirates' playoff excitement, let's not forget about the 2-2 Steelers, who will crush the hapless Jags today.

NLDS Game 2: Pirates at Nationals

Still untucked from the beer fort party following Frankie's three-hit gem. Cleared some additional space on the wall of glory. Pirates lead the series, 1-0.

Cole 45 and Zimmerman. Game just underway.

NLDS Game 1: Pirates at Nationals

The Bucs look to continue their momentum coming off their miraculous 9-8 comeback in 12 innings. Game 1 features Liriano and Strasburg, getting ready to start.

NL Wild Card (for real): Giants at Pirates

After yesterday's meaningless exhibition game, it's time to get down to business and play this one-game playoff for real.

Not sure who's starting, but the game must be starting soon. Heading down to the ballpark!

NL Wild Card Game: Giants at Pirates

The games begin tonight. The Beer Fort is ready. We have extra black-and-gold bunting, extra black IPAs, and we cleared a little spot on the wall for a new glorious picture.

"Mad" Bumgamer and likely WS MVP Edinson Volquez get the start. Game on at 8.

Game 162: Pirates at Reds

Cole and Cueto underway, tied 1-1 in the 5th. Strong PENNANT smell still wafting into the Beer Fort's windows.

Game 161: Pirates at Reds

Liriano and Simon starting soon with the pennant on the line.

Game 160: Pirates at Reds

Free t-shirt Friday as Worley and Leake get the start.

Game on at 7.

Game 159: Pirates at Brewers

Volquez and Hale underway. Bickle just went yard to put the PBC up 1-0 in the first. Smell of PENNANT wafting into the Beer Fort windows.

Game 158: Pirates at Braves

Locke and Teheran underway. The Bucs have generously spotted the Braves 4 runs to make the late-inning comeback more entertaining.

Game 157: Pirates at Braves

Cole and Wood starting soon with the Division and Playoffs on the line.

Magic number down to 2.

Game 156: Pirates at Braves

Liriano battles the Harangutan, starting soon.

The hapless Braves fired their general manager this morning, apparently for not caring about winning or the PLAYOFFS.

PBC magic number is 3.

Game 155: Brewers at Pirates

Still half-tucked. Peralta and Worley starting soon.

Game 154: Brewers at Pirates

I will prolly do a half-assed half-tuck in time for the national anthem.

Large beer party ongoing at beer fort. Clearing spots on the wall for new framed photos.

Garza and Volquez.

Game 153: Brewers at Pirates

Locke and Gallardo starting soon with the Playoffs on the line. The raucous Beer Fort masses are all preparing to untuck.

Game 152: Red Sox at Pirates

Cole and Workman starting soon. Does the cheapskate owner of the hapless Bosox even care about winning?

Game 151: Red Sox at Pirates

As the Brewers and the Cardinals mangle one another, the surging Pirates continue a home series against the hapless, mismanaged, small-market Boston Red Sox. I almost feel sorry for the fans of this team.

Taylor Bucholz will start opposite playoff ace Francisco Liriano.

Playoff tickets on sale tomorrow morning.

Game 150: Red Sox at Pirates

Martay Partay in the 6th with the Bucs up 3-0 and the Playoffs on the line.

Off day

Bucs are off today, so should be able to get in extra bunting practice. Meanwhile, White Flag Vogelsong starts for the Giants, who are 3 games up for the first wild card slot.

Game 149: Cubs at Pirates

Turner and Volquez starting soon.

At 78-70, the Pirates are 3.5 back of the Cardinals and up 1.5 over the slumping Brewers. If the season ended today, the Pirates would be the last playoff seed.

Game 148: Cubs at Pirates

Locke takes on Doubront and the hapless Cubs tonight. Magic number still at 2.5.

Skyblast w/ Lynyrd Skynyrd after the W.

Game 147: Cubs at Pirates

Cole and the PBC are up 6-3 in the sixth against the hapless stone-handed Cubs. Already untucked.

NFL Week 2: Steelers at Ravens

No elevator jokes will be made the Steelers win at football.

Game 146: Pirates at Phillies

Frankie takes on Mr. STFD Shaving-Cream-Pie-in-Your-Face You'll-Bunt-Your-Eye-Out, starting soon. Meanwhile, Petey is out for the season with a broken foot. No word on laundry cart damage.

The Cards lost earlier today, so PBC magic number is 2.5

Game 145: Pirates at Phillies

The Vanimal and the PBC take an early 2-0 lead in the first vs. Jerome Williams, whoever that is.

Game 144: Pirates at Phillies

PBC down 4-3 in the eighth as they prepare for a dramatic comeback win.

Game 143: Pirates at Phillies

Locke and Kendrick soon.

Pirates are 4.5 back of St. Louis.

Game 142: Pirates at Cubs

Gerrit Cole went yard and the PBC opened a 19-hit can of whoopass on the hapless Cubs today. Magic number at 4.5.

Game 141: Pirates at Cubs

Yesterday's continuation is underway, tied at 3 in the 7th.

After that, Doubront and Liriano with the playoffs on the line.

Game 140: Pirates at Cubs

Feeling surly and out of sorts this afternoon, lounging about in a lawn chair outside the beer fort, ready to take in a day game after a week of frustratingly meaningless exhibition games.

All-Worldly and Wada will be the starters.

Game 139: Pirates at Cardinals

Volquez and Miller underway, scoreless in the fifth. Magic number back up to 4.

Game 138: Pirates at Cardinals

Locke and Wainwright starting soon. Bucs' magic number at three.

Game 136: Reds at Pirates

Liriano and Cueto starting now. Bucs magic number at two.

Game 135: Reds at Pirates

The Pirates continue to round into WS Champion form at just the right time, like the professionals they are.

Looks like the hapless Reds are starting Randall Simon. That says everything you need to know about the Cincinnati team. He'll square off with future WS MVP Vance Worley.

Game 134: Reds at Pirates

Free T-Shirt Night! Leake and Volquez start at seven. The Bucs' magic number to clinch the pennant is 4.

Game 133: Cardinals at Pirates

Locke and Wainwright underway. Bucs are up 2-1 in the third after IFD went yard again. Bickle just bunted the bases loaded. Prepare to untuck.

Game 132: Cardinals at Pirates

Lynn and Cole starting soon in a NLCS preview.

Off day

The World-Series-Bound PBC had the day off today. Perhaps the time wasted on a meaningless split squad scrimmage could have been better used on extra bunting practice. Real games and pennant race starts up again tomorrow.

Game 130: Pirates at Brewers

Future WS MVP Vance Worley starts against Mike Fiers, who has also been throwing up some postseason-worthy starts. Game on shortly. Been untucked all weekend.

Game 129: Pirates at Brewers

Peralta and Volquez underway with Petey playing first base. Bucs need another win as I'm still untucked from last night.

Game 128: Pirates at Brewers

Gallardo and Locke starting soon. This game will be featured heavily on the 2014 PBC World Champions DVD as one of the turning points to the pennant. Already untucked.

Game 127: Braves at Pirates

The PBC will try to WIN tonight against Alex Wood. Gerrit Cole has returned, in time to clinch the pennant.

Game 126: Braves at Pirates

Liriano takes on the Harangutan, starting shortly. Cutch has returned, in time to clinch the pennant.

Game 125: Braves at Pirates

Santana and Worley starting soon.

Pedro Alvarez batting fifth and starting at first base.

NFL preseason: Steelers 19, Bills 16

Meanwhile, Shazam!

Game 124: Pirates at Nationals

Volquez and Fister just underway. NFW has returned to clinch the pennant. Prepare to untuck.

Game 123: Pirates at Nationals

Locke and Gonzalez underway with the playoffs on the line.

Game 122: Pirates at Nationals

Morton and Roark in a possible NLCS Championship preview.

Not sure why the league lets Walgreens--a pharmacy--sponsor a team, but there it is. I guess the D.C. fans just yawn when evidence of doping is that obvious. It's a pretty jaded town.

No worries. The Nats can take all the pills they want, and Charlie Morton should still handle them nbd.

Game 121: Tigers at Pirates

Scherzer and Liriano at one.

The top of the NL Central is treading water, 5-5 in their last ten. Pirates at 1.5 games out of first.

Game 120: Pirates at Tigers

The Vanimal and Farmer underway. Bucs are down 1-0 in the third, and are just 1.5 games out of first. The Don Kelly posters in the Beer Fort have been vandalized with sharpie mustaches.

Game 119: Tigers at Pirates

Ray and Volquez tonight in another World Series preview. Bucs are 2.5 games back.

Game 118: Tigers at Pirates

Game is underway. World Series preview, right here.

Verlander and Locke starting.

Honus Wagner bobblehead: tomorrow.

Off day

The Bucs took the day off today. Nothing to see here.

Game 116: Padres at Pirates

Liriano and Stults underway. Bucs down 2-1 in the second.

Game 115: Padres at Pirates

Kennedy tries to stop the Vanimal, starting soon. Bucs are just 1.5 games back with the hated Brewers and Cards facing the first place Dodgers and Orioles, respectively. Prepare to untuck.

Game 114: Marlins at Pirates

Game underway. No score in the bottom of the third.

Pirates are two games back and need another win here.

Game 113: Marlins at Pirates

Locke and Koehler starting shortly. PBC still 2.5 games back.

Game 112: Marlins at Pirates

Hand and Morton, about to start.

Game 111: Pirates at Diamondbacks

Liriano continues his gradual return to WS MVP form at four.

Cahill will try for Arizona.

Off day tomorrow.

Game 110: Pirates at Diamondbacks

Bucs are up 8-3 in the bottom of the ninth as Frieri tries to either finish the game or break somebody else's hand.

Game 109: Pirates at Diamondbacks

Nuno and Volquez later tonight with the playoffs on the line. Bucs 2.5 games back.

Game 108: Pirates at Diamondbacks

Locke and Collmenter at 9:40.

Last series of this West coast road trip.

Trade deadline

One rumor recently overheard has All-Star Josh F. Harrison, Ernesto Frieri, Chris Stewart, and Michael Martinez to the Red Sox for Lester and a player to be named later.

Scrimmage

No game today, just a meaningless scrimmage, so it doesn't matter what happened. In other news, the Cards got destroyed 12-1.

Game 106: Pirates at Giants

Frankie and Hudson underway. Bucs are up 3-0 in the second after JFH and Bickle both went yard.

The Brewers lost earlier, so the PBC are 1.5 games out of first. Prepare to untuck.

Game 105: Pirates at Giants

The Vanimal takes on Bumgarner in a likely NLCS Game 4 preview. Morel starting at third as Pedro practices throwing at widest side of Beer Fort barn.

Game 104: Pirates at Rockies

Morales and Volquez at four with the playoffs on the line.

Game 103: Pirates at Rockies

Locke and Matzek at 8.

Pirates are six over .500 and three games out of first. The Cards are up on the Cubs and the Brewers get started with the Mets in an hour.

Game 101: Pirates at Rockies

Charlie Morton takes on Jimmy Anderson again tonight. Bucs three games back.

Game 100: Dodgers at Pirates

Frankie and Haren tonight in a likely NLCS preview.

Game 99: Dodgers at Pirates

After Polanco and Bickle drive in runs to put the PBC up 7-4, Cutch just got beaned. Prepare for fisticuffs.

Game 98: Dodgers at Pirates

Volquez and Ryu tonight. PBC 1.5 games out.

Game 97: Rockies at Pirates

Rockies up 2-0 in the top of the first.

Game 96: Rockies at Pirates

Charlie Morton takes on Jimmy Anderson, starting soon. Bucs still 3.5 games back.

Game 95: Rockies at Pirates

Frankie and De La Rosa underway. Game is scoreless in the second. Bucs are 3.5 games out of first.

Game 94: Pirates at Reds

Frankie starting after returning from the DL. Cueto on for the Reds.

Game underway. Pirates down 3-1.

Game 93: Pirates at Reds

Morton and Leake at 7:15 for Free T-Shirt Night.

Game 92: Pirates at Reds

Locke and Latos at seven.

At 48-44, the Pirates are looking up at the 49-43 Reds.

Game 91: Pirates at Cardinals

Lynn and Cumpton starting soon. The PBC will try to not lose on a walk-off home run.

Game 90: Pirates at Cardinals

The Vanimal takes on Martinez and the hated Cards tonight at eight with the division on the line.

Game 89: Pirates at Cardinals

Wainwright and Morton tonight at eight. All-Star JFH is leading off and playing RF. The white-hot second-place PBC are now six games over .500 and just 4.5 games out.

Game 88: Phillies at Pirates

AJFB returns to face Locke. Game on.

Game 87: Phillies at Pirates

The beatings continue as McCutchen and the Pirates are up 3-1 in the fourth.

Beer fort still illuminated with sparklers and ordnance.

Game 86: Phillies at Pirates

Gerrit Cole and Paul Revere tonight at five.

The Bucs are 6.5 games out of first and will try to pick up some ground against the hapless last-place Phils. Happy Fourth everyone!

Game 85: Diamondbacks at Pirates

McCarthy and Worley, about to start.

Game 84: Diamondbacks at Pirates

Morton and Anderson at seven. Chuck leads the NL with 15 hit batters, so look for him to plunk somebody again tonight.

Game 83: Diamondbacks at Pirates

Locke continues to make his case for a World Series start. Mikey to go for the D-bags.

Game on at 7.

Game 81: Mets at Pirates

Cole and Niese today at four. Josh F. Harrison will usher you to your seats, throw out the first pitch, sing the national anthem, hit for the cycle, then strikeout the side for his first save of the season.

Game 80: Mets at Pirates

DeGrom and our new ace Cumpton. At 7.

Game 79: Mets at Pirates

The Vanimal takes on Matsuzaka tonight at seven with the playoffs on the line.

Game 78: Pirates at Rays

Pirates are up over .500 at 39-38.

Morton and Price at noon.

Game 77: Pirates at Rays

Locke and Archer tonight in a likely Game 3 World Series preview.

Game 76: Pirates at Rays

Volquez begins the run that will have him considered for Game 2 of the World Series. Tonight.

Alex Cobb will be the poor sap who gets in his way.

Game on at 7.

Game 75: Pirates at Cubs

Cumpton and Hammel starting soon as the PBC World Series push continues.

Game 74: Pirates at Cubs

For real this time, World Series push.

Worley and Wood in about thirty minutes.

Game 73: Pirates at Cubs

Morton and Jackson at four. The Bucs are two games behind .500 and ready to begin their World Series push.

Game 72: Reds at Pirates

Locke and Bailey underway. PBC down 2-0 in the fourth. GFP just extended his record-setting hitting streak.

Game 71: Reds at Pirates

Volquez and Simon tonight at seven.

Yesterday GFP tied Roberto Clemente's franchise record career-starting seven game hitting streak. He'll try to break that record tonight.

Game 70: Reds at Pirates

These two teams are about tied up just below .500.

Cueto and Cumpton will start at 7.

Game 69: Pirates at Marlins

Vance Worley makes his debut for the 34-34 Pirates against Henderson Alvarez.

Game on at 1pm. All Dads to their beer forts.

Game 68: Pirates at Marlins

Morton and Wolf underway. Bucs are up 2-0 in the second.

Game 67: Pirates at Marlins

The Pirates take their talents to South Beach.

Locke and Eovaldi at seven.

Game 66: Cubs at Pirates

Volquez and Samardzija tonight. Polanco leading off.

Game 65: Cubs at Pirates

Hammel and Cumpton at seven.

Would be entertained by a one-batter Polanco/Cumpton position switch around the fourth or fifth.

Game 64: Cubs at Pirates

Liriano and Wood tonight at seven. And so began the Gregory Polanco Era.

Game 63: Cubs at Pirates

Morton and Jackson underway. Bucs up 1-0 in the third. Bickle just slugged his first double of the season.

Game 62: Brewers at Pirates

Locke and Gallardo underway and scoreless in the first. Cole to the DL with shoulder fatigue. PBC three games under .500.

Game 61: Brewers at Pirates

Garza and Volquez at four.

Prepare to untuck.

Game 60: Brewers at Pirates

Cumpton and Lohse underway. Bucs up 2-0 in the second. Prepare to untuck.

MLB draft

Round one starts shortly. The PBC has the 24th overall pick and will likely take the BBA (Best Bunter Available).

Game 59: Pirates at Padres

Liriano and Kennedy underway. Frankie's in trouble in the first, with the Bucs down 1-0.

Game 58: Pirates at Padres

The Pirates have been winning some games on the west coast lately.

They look to keep rolling with Cole. The Padres counter with Hahn.

Game on at 10pm our time.

Game 57: Pirates at Padres

Stauffer and Morton starting soon. All-Star RF Josh Harrison and his .290 career OBP 128 OPS+ lead the charge for the PBC.

Game 56: Pirates at Dodgers

Volquez and Greinke starting soon. JHay leading off and starting in RF. Again.

Game 55: Pirates at Dodgers

Cumpton trying to stick vs. lefty Ryu.

Starting soon.

Broom is out, time to clean up around here.

Game 54: Pirates at Dodgers

Liriano and Beckett tonight in a likely NLCS preview.

Game 53: Pirates at Dodgers

Cole and Haren starting past your bedtime.

Game 51: Pirates at Mets

Morton and Colon underway. Mets up 2-0 in the third as the PBC gets their Benny Hill music on.

Game 50: Pirates at Mets

Volquez and Niese tonight. Petey gets the night off, with JHay leading off and starting at third.

Game 49: Pirates at Mets

Ike returns to New York.

Cumpton and deGrom at one.

Game 48: Nationals at Pirates

Game just underway. Redbeard returns with his tree stand.

Nats up 2-0 as they are hitting Liriano's fastball.

Game 47: Nationals at Pirates

Two former first picks Strasburg and Cole starting now.

Game 46: Nationals at Pirates

Zimmerman and Morton tonight. Grilli activated, Sanchez sent down.

Game 45: Nationals at Pirates

Game on at seven. Trienen and Volquez to start.

Game 44: Orioles at Pirates

After an off day yesterday, Wandy and the PBC face Tillman and the Orioles tonight. Josh Harrison leading off, starting in RF.

Games 42 and 43: Pirates at Yankees

Bucs up 1-0 in game one after NFW's ninth jack. Morton's in trouble in the bottom of the first, with bases juiced and no outs.

Game 41: Pirates at Yankees

Phelps and Volquez starting soon. Gaby Sanchez is DH.

Game 40: Pirates at Brewers

Wandy and Gallardo underway. PBC down 1-0 in the fourth with everybody still tucked in.

Game 39: Pirates at Brewers

Liriano (0-3, 4.64) and Peralta.

Liriano turns his season around, right here.

Game 38: Pirates at Brewers

Cole and Estrada tonight at eight with the division on the line. Prepare to untuck.

Game 37: Cardinals at Pirates

Miller and Morton tonight at eight as the PBC goes for the sweep for mothers everywhere.

Game 36: Cardinals at Pirates

Lynn and Volquez before too long. Pirates are 15-20.

Neil F'n Walker enjoying an All-Star season.

Game 35: Cardinals at Pirates

Wacha and Liriano tonight at seven in a likely NLCS preview. Meanwhile, the Steelers will try to draft a Punter in rounds two and/or three.

2014 NFL Draft

Steelers are picking at #15 this year, and they are expected to draft a corner or a wideout.

I vote for the cornerback.

Off day

No game scheduled.

Game 34: Giants at Pirates

Cole and Lincecum starting soon. Pirates are 13-20, 8.5 games behind the Brewers.

Game 33: Giants at Pirates

Morton and Hudson underway. JHay leading off playing RF again.

Game 32: Giants at Pirates

Locke and Petit starting soon. Josh Harrison is leading off and playing RF. Marte batting fifth.

Game 31: Blue Jays at Pirates

Game underway. Pirates up in the second.

Lawn chairs set up outside the beer fort.

Game 30: Blue Jays at Pirates

Liriano and Dickey scoreless and buntless in the second.

Game 29: Pirates 6, Blue Jays 5

Petey and Marte with long towering drives in the bottom of the ninth to win in dramatic fashion. Entertained.

Games 27 and 28: Pirates at Orioles

Day/night doubleheader in a preview of the first two games of the World Series.

Game 27: Pirates at Orioles

Morton and Tillman tonight at seven in a World Series Preview.

Game 26: Pirates at Cardinals

Wainwright and Volquez starting soon in the free MLB game of the day.

Game 25: Pirates at Cardinals

Liriano and Lyons starting soon. Grilli and Martin have been sent to the Dandy House to relax. Josh Harrison is batting second and playing 3B.

Game 24: Pirates at Cardinals

Cole and Miller tonight at eight. The Bucs are 14-9 and in first place, 4.5 games up over the Brewers.

Scrimmage

No game today, just a meaningless scrimmage that already happened. Not a single bunt was laid down.

Game 22: Reds at Pirates

Simon and Morton tonight at seven as the PBC will try to move a runner from station to station, go about their business day in and day out, and play the game the right way.

Game 21: Reds at Pirates

Cueto and Volquez at seven-thirty.

Game 20: Reds at Pirates

Liriano and Leake starting soon on Free T-Shirt Day.

Game 19: Brewers at Pirates

Estrada and Cole starting soon.

We will be out on the Beer Porch this afternoon, soaking up the good pistol-whipping we expect the Pirates to inflict.

Game 18: Brewers at Pirates

Wandy and Garza starting now. Ike Davis starting at 1B batting sixth.

Game 17: Brewers at Pirates

As we saw last night, the winner of the NL Central will be, once again, the team that is better at bunting.

Lohse and Morton at seven. Beer fort is clean, loaded, and ready for festivity.

Game 16: Brewers at Pirates

Gallardo and Volquez tonight at seven. Prepare to untuck.

Off day

No game today. Maybe a scrimmage or something.

Meaningful baseball resumes tomorrow.

Games 13 and 14: Pirates at Reds

Home run derby resumes at 5:30 followed by Cole and Leake on Free T-Shirt Day.

Game 13: Pirates at Reds

Free shirt day in Cincinnati with Mike Leake opposing Wandy Rodriguez. Game on at 7.

Game 12: Pirates at Brewers

Charlie Morton tries to untuck against Lohse, the somewhat decayed remains of Lyle Overbay, and the PED-fueled Brewers.

Game 11: Pirates at Brewers

Volquez and Gallardo at 7. Brewers have won 7 in a row.

Prepare to untuck.

Game 10: Pirates at Brewers

Liriano takes on Peralta and the hapless Brewers tonight in MLB's free game of the day.

Game 9: Pirates at Cubs

The hapless Cubs have resorted to day games in an attempt to win.

So far this devious plan is working. The Cubs are up 4-0 in the sixth.

Game 8: Pirates at Cubs

Wandy and the first place Bucs take on Hammel and the hapless Cubs tonight.

Game 7: Pirates at Cubs

Morton and Jackson at 8:30 our time.

Game 6: Cardinals at Pirates

Wainwright and converted Red Volquez this afternoon.

Game 5: Cardinals at Pirates

Liriano and Kelly tonight with first place on the line.

Huntington and Hurdle extended

Neal and Clint have agreed to three year extensions with the PBC.

No word yet on whether either will be trying out for the 1B position.

Game 4: Cardinals at Pirates

Miller and Cole, in a rain delay with a lot of water on the field.

Game 3: Cubs at Pirates

Bucs down 2-0 in the second.

Game 2: Cubs at Pirates

Tied at 3, bottom of the 13th. Bases juiced, two out, Tabata up.

Opening Day: Cubs at Pirates

While we meditate on own answers for this year's HW reader's poll, let's not forget that there will be baseball in two hours. Liriano and Edwin Jackson will start.

2014 HW Readers Poll

Finally, that time of year again!

1. How many wins?
2. How many bunts?
3. 2014 Whipping Boy?
4. Other predictions?

I'll start. 100 wins. 63 bunts (1 more than last year, not counting the playoff and World Series bunts). Travis Ishikawa is primed to Jonathan Sanchez his way on out of here. Josh Harrison will be starting at 1B and RF by May 1st. Jordy Mercer pinch-bunts for an inside-the-park home run. Marte wins World Series MVP as the Bucs defend their World Champion title.

Spring training

After an unusually short football season, a short vacation at the dandy house, and some rehab of the beer fort, we are ready for baseball.