Off day

The Bucs rest today, and watch video of Nyjer Morgan in preparation for the Brewers tomorrow.

The losing streak not surprisingly has hurt the playoff odds, which have dipped to 75.5%.

Game 116: Pirates at Giants

Karstens vs. Sanchez in a day game. Bucs must win to keep playoff hopes alive.

Game 115: Pirates at Giants

McDonald and Bumgarner at ten.

We shudder to think that before yesterday an entire cohort of zero-to-ten-day-olds had never tasted a WIN.

Game 114: Pirates at Giants

Charlie Morton swaggers into San Francisco to take on the New and Improved Ryan Vogelsong and Jeff Keppinger at ten. Playoff implications abound.

Game 113: Padres at Pirates

Correia and Latos this afternoon. The Bucs need to swagger and BUNT to victory.

Game 112: Padres at Pirates

Skyblast! Bad baseball to be followed by even worse music. Game starts soon.

Maholm and Iron Balls take on some no-name guy. Pedro gets the night off. Derrek Lee is busy in the trainer's room, reading texts from Armando Rios.

Game 111: Padres at Pirates

Karstens hosts the Harangutan and the last-place hapless Padres at seven.

We just got the Win Meter back from the shop, and it's glowing green and beeping loudly.

Game 110: Cubs at Pirates

McDonald and Lopez at seven.

It would be magically exciting to see Ludwick BUNT. Again.

Game 109: Cubs at Pirates

Home Run Derby, featuring only Derrek "Long Balls" Lee (aka Operation Moonshot), starts tonight at seven. One of the Charlie Mortons will pitch.

All four wings of the Beer Fort are either on fire or smoldering. Must. Win. Now.

Game 108: Cubs at Pirates

Derrek Lee Home Run Derby starts at seven.

We're still working on a new nickname for the 2011 World Series MVP. Leon? D-Manlee? D-Leong Ball? Jose DeLeeong Ball? Derrek Ballgame? Bill MazeroskLee? Roberto ClementLee? WilLee Stargell?

Game 107: Cubs at Pirates

Derrek Lee, Ryan Ludwick, and Maholm lead the new look Bucs vs. Zambrano at seven.

Game 106: Pirates at Phillies

Karstens and Worley starting now. Overbay gets his likely final start at 1B with Lee joining the team tomorrow. With the deadline approaching, no other trades reported yet.

Bucs trade for Derrek Lee

Bucs trade minor league 1B Aaron Baker to the Orioles for Derrek Lee and cash, the Baltimore Sun reports.

The only red flag here is that Derrek Lee has not laid down a bunt since 2004, and has only 2 in nearly 8000 plate appearances. As long as D-Lee is willing to work within the new system and work on his bunting game, this is a huge win for the Bucs and their playoff roster.

Game 105: Pirates at Phillies

McDonald and Lee at seven.

Iron Balls McKenry: 666 OPS on the season, 790 OPS in July, 935 OPS the last seven days.

Game 104: Pirates at Phillies

Roy Halladay and one of his clones, a Charlie Morton, at seven.

Andrew McCutchen #2 in NL for WAR.

Game 103: Pirates at Braves

Correia, Lowe, and (hopefully) the return of Iron Balls at seven.

Game 102: Pirates at Braves

Maholm and Jurrjens at seven.

Last night's six-hour, nineteen-inning game ended with the most egregious blown call, in any sport, I've ever seen. I've watched a lot of sports. Seriously, that has to be the worst call by a baseball umpire ever.

Game 101: Pirates at Braves

Karstens, Pedro, and Fort Iron City Balls take on the Hanson Brothers at seven.

Game 100: Pirates at Braves

McDonald and Hudson at seven.

First place again. Playoff odds rising.

Game 99: Cardinals at Pirates

Lohse and Morton at 1:30.

Kids Jose Tabata jersey day.

This is a real public service for all thirteen-year-old boys out to impress the college girls.