Game 87: Pirates at Brewers

Correia and Estrada at seven.

A lot of hand-wringing about last night's bloodbath, but any team will lose a game like that, here and there, so there are no worries in the beer fort.

Prepare to untuck.

Game 86: Pirates at Brewers

McDonald vs. Greinke tonight, if Zack can avoid getting ejected.

The Bucs are only one game up, so to stay in first place and continue their first half momentum, they really need to win this game.

All-Star break

All but two of the Bucs rest while Cutch assures home-field advantage for the Bucs in the World Series. Then Hairyhands will probably try to give it away.

The Home Run Derby would be more entertaining if it was just one of many contests of baseball prowess. Like a bunting contest (or marathon). And synchronized defensive shifts involving whole infields and/or outfields, set to music.

Game 85: Giants at Pirates

Burnett vs. the Freak today.

Despite the calming influence of Vogelsong, the Freak Whisperer, Timmy has been a wreck this year. Bucs need a win to carry momentum and sole possession of first place into the All-Star break.

Game 84: Giants at Pirates

McDonald takes on Ryan Vogelsong and his NL lowest ERA.

Facing a pitcher with a pedigree like Vogelsong, a 1-0 victory is about the best we can hope for.

Game 83: Giants at Pirates

Bedard and Zito at seven.

Finally the Bucs get to play a real MLB team. If the Bucs want a bigger first place lead, they really need to win this game.

Game 82: Astros at Pirates

Karstens and Norris at seven.

If the Bucs want to retain sole possession of first place, they really need to win this game.

Game 81: Astros at Pirates

Keuchel and Correia in an hour.

Match rockets and sparklers line the battlements for post-game patriotic festivity.

The Pirates are at .550 and tied for first with the Reds. As good as they've been the last month, they'll have to play better. Tied with the hapless Reds? ... this will not do.

Sadly, there appear to be no photos of Sutton connecting for the beer fort wall. The photojournalists need to step up their game too.

Game 80: Astros at Pirates

Burnett goes for his 9th straight win against Harrell, a bunting threat.

If the Bucs want to win the division, they really need to win this game.

Game 79: Astros at Pirates

McDonald and Lyles at seven.

Bucs need a win if they want to increase their rapidly growing playoff odds. 83.2% are pretty good odds, but it'll be fun to watch that converge on 100%.

Game 78: Pirates at Cardinals

Bedard and Westbrook today.

If Bedard fancies himself a starter in the Bucs' playoff rotation, he really needs to win this game.

Game 77: Pirates at Cardinals

Karstens and Lynn today.

If Karstens fancies himself a starter in the Bucs' playoff rotation, he really needs to win this game.

Game 76: Pirates at Cardinals

Correia and Wainwright tonight.

If Correia fancies himself a starter in the Bucs' playoff rotation, he really needs to win this game.

Game 75: Pirates at Phillies

Burnett and Kendrick in a day game.

If Burnett wants a statue outside of PNC, he really needs to win this game.

Game 74: Pirates at Phillies

J-Mac and Raul Valdes at seven.

The Bucs need to win if they want a first round playoff bye.

Game 73: Pirates at Phillies

Bedard and Worley at seven.

Most scenarios where the Bucs go deep into the playoffs involve a win tonight.

Game 72: Pirates at Phillies

K-Star returns to face Blanton and the hapless last-place Phils tonight.

Bucs are one game out and tied for the wild card lead.

Game 71: Tigers at Pirates

Correia and Verlander starting soon.

If the Bucs are going to go deep in the playoffs, they need to regularly rest the starters like today with Tabata, Rowdy Rod Burrito and NFW on the bench. Cutch is playing, so the Bucs are still heavy favorites.

Game 70: Tigers at Pirates

Lincoln and Scherzer at four.

Smells like first place.

Kevin Youkilis has never laid down a BUNT in his career. Not sure what message signing him would send. He could at least show the other Bucs how to shake up a bottle of champagne and spray it around the clubhouse.

Game 69: Tigers at Pirates

Burnett and Fister tonight in a possible World Series preview. Bucs just two games back.