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It will be hard to think about football with the Bucs in the playoffs, but the Bucs' winning streak can't possibly continue into November.
Bucs up 3-1 in the seventh. Maholm dealing. Game has serious playoff implications.
Lowe and Duke at seven.
The hottest team in the NL Central, the Pirates are peaking at just the right time.
Burres and Hanson at 1:30.
I'm sure the Braves are hoping to spoil the Pirates' playoff chances, and that makes me feel sorry for them.
Skyblast tonight to punctuate the epic winning streak. Soon we'll be able to determine if the path to the NLCS goes through the wild card (my preference; more exciting) or through winning the division outright.
Lanman and Maholm will start. Game on at seven. Get there early if you want to enjoy the suspense inherent to games in which the Pirates have not yet taken the lead.
Livan Hernandez, Zach Duke, a Pirate Fleecie, and victory for all strong-willed fans at seven.
Pirates look for their third straight 14-run victory at two this afternoon.
Ace McDonald and Tom "No Doubt About It" Gorzelanny will start.
Just rolled out of bed. It was a late night, celebrating the huge 14-2 win. The details are fuzzy. I remember there was a pet monkey cracking nuts. And the landlord's wife. But whatever. What a game.
That's gotta clinch something. Hopefully the Pirates celebrated more responsibly.
Tonight it is Karstens and Dempster at eight.
Two months ago, no one would have expected this game to have playoff ramifications.
Maholm and Zambrano at eight. At eight-fifteen Ronny Cedeno will bunt with no outs, men on first and third, and the pitcher on deck.
With the Pirates smoking hot, it's a great time to go to the ballpark and take in a game. And the road wins are the best. Nothing stirs the envy of opposing fans like your Pirates jersey and your pillbox cap.
Charlie Morton and Dave Bush at two.
Duke and Capuano at seven.
It should be an exciting year to be a September call-up.
Ace McDonald and Chris Narvesson at eight.
The hapless small-market Brewers, mired in another long losing streak, are luring fans to the ballpark with a post-game fireworks show.
McCutchen pistol-whips Westbrook at seven.
Bucs extend winning streak at nine.
Maholm beats Wainwright at seven.
In the future, once all known cheating factors can be corrected for in a standardized way, the Bucs win this game 20-0.
Ironhead Ohlendorf wins over the hapless Lohse. Game starts at seven.
Duke wins over Santana starting at 1:35.
Honestly, I could care less what Ronny Ballgame puts into his body, as long as he goes about his business day in and day out, is a consummate professional, and plays the game in the right way. Rumors are that RBG could replace the increasingly unpopular JR for the playoff run in a strictly managerial/game-calling/sign-stealing role. The contract would continue into the Dynasty phase with Ronny as manager/backup catcher.
Ace McDonald and Niese at seven.
In other news, the 18-year winning streak continues.
Karstens wins over Pelfrey, starting at seven.
In other news, 16 year old Luis Heredia joins the Dynasty for 2.6 million.
Maholm and Sanabia at seven.
JR should rest all the starters for the wild-card surge, rather than have them be further humiliated by Ronny Ballgame, who now wins games on the base paths.
The Marlins probably were a little nervous when Paulino tagged up on Ramirez’s short fly ball in foul territory, but right fielder Lastings Milledge’s throw was up the third base line.“I was very close to pinch-running, but then after I saw that, it was a very good heads-up play by Paulino,” Rodriguez said. “It was the difference in the game. Perfect slide, great jump.”
Ohlendorf vs. Josh Johnson at seven.
With any other matchup, we could will Ross' second win no problem. But Ronny Ballgame is immune to our willing powers, and might have plans of his own.
Duke and Nolasco at seven.
In the Major Leagues, it is uncommon for pitchers of one team to seek advice from catchers of the opposing team. Unless, of course, the opposing team's catcher goes by the name of Ronny Ballgame.
We raise our glass to the two latest Dynasty cornerstones, Jameson Taillon and Stetson Allie, who both signed today.
These kids need nicknames. Jameson 18 Year Old Limited Reserve? Allie Bumaye!?
Karstens wins over the hapless Happ. Victory begins at two.
It must be hard to be an Astros fan, never winning the World Series.
Ironhead Ohlendorf punches Myers and the lowly Astros at eight.
It is exciting to think that in 2042, the Bucs will be wearing the throwback unis of this 2010 World Championship team.
Duke and Garland at 6:35.
Even though everyone knows the Bucs will win this game, the players still have to go through the motions.
Ace McDonald and Kevin Correia at ten.
Looking ahead to possible World Series opponents for the Bucs: the once-hapless Orioles are suddenly the league's hottest team.
Playoffs. Pedro! Pale ales. Pittsburgh Pirates.
Karstens and LeBlanc Flag at ten.
Pirates to continue the winning streak at 1:35. People starting to notice what we have long known, that this is a playoff run.
Rogers and Maholm the starters.
Ironhead Ohlendorf headbutts De La Rosa at seven.
The Bucs will try to outBUNT the Rockies and keep their winning streak alive.
Duke and Hammel at seven.
Should fisticuffs erupt, Chan Ho Park is ready to fight.
The James McDonald Era starts at seven.
With Chan Ho joining the Bucs, the lowly, hapless Rockies should prepare to be drop-kicked.
Bucs up 6-0 in the second. Leake, the starter, is still in the game. Maholm started for the Pirates.
Pirates will try to keep this winning streak rolling tonight at seven.
Wood and Ohlendorf will start.
Duke and Wainwright starting shortly.
The Chris Snyder Era begins with Snyder calling the game from the bench.
McCutchen and Suppan at seven.
All a-glowing with the magic of the trade deadline, these Pirates can now get back to winning. They are a few games back of these Cardinals, and this is a great chance to make up some ground in the wild-card race.
With so many hapless and over-budget teams out of contention, the Pirates have a golden opportunity to add some good-looking players for greater depth on the playoff roster.
... Chris Snyder is the first big winner at the trade deadline.
... Other winners include Pedro Ciriaco, John Bowker, Joe Martinez, James McDonald, and Andrew Lambo.
... Octavio Dotel may be forced to retire with that 7.88 postseason ERA.
Karstens and Carpenter at eight-fifteen.
Pirates might be losing their grip on the current winning streak.
Paul Maholm and the very, very good-looking third baseman who just showed up take on the big, strong, powerful man Ubaldo Jimenez at three-ten.
The hapless Rockies have lost eight in a row and are struggling terribly.
Ohlendorf and Cook at eight-forty.
Because the bar has been raised so high, we've analyzed and over-analyzed what we've done. We may wind up being comparable to the '98 Yankees or the '86 Mets. I think there's a strong chance that will happen. But maybe that's not fair right now.
Duke and De La Rosa at whatever time they start games in Colorado, wherever that is.
Here is your chance to stop thinking too much out there. Go someplace else and get that taken care of.
Winning streak resumes tomorrow in Colorado.
Lincoln and LeBlanc at one-thirty.
The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.
Latos and Karstens at seven.
This winning streak that ends in April has had more texture and drama than I expected.
Maholm and Correia at seven.
I'd be entertained if all the Bucs, including JR, grew in dreadlocks and got huge tattoos. The tattoo parlor visit would make for a hilarious clip on the World Championship DVD.
Ohlendorf and Gallardo at seven.
It's amazing to think that come next April, there could be an entire generation of young Bucco fans who have never experienced a loss. Without losses, would wins still have meaning?
Duke and Wolf at seven.
With the Kratzalyst calling pitches and stealing signs and Pedro hitting multiple dingers per game, this winning streak could easily continue through next April.
Lincoln and Bush. Four score and seven years ago, a thousand points of light.
I don't want to get anyone's hopes up, but it is easy to believe that this game might be the start of a winning streak that ends in October.
Karstens and Capuano at seven.
Macha should worry less about his small-market hapless players getting plunked, and more about getting absolutely boat-raced by the white-hot Bucs on Kratzmas III. Prepare to untuck.
Maholm and Oswalt at 1:35.
To enhance drama for the 2010 World Champs DVD, JR might want to rest the Kratzalyst for at least the first few innings of Kratzmas II.
Ohlendorf and Bud (no relation to Chuck) Norris at seven.
When we're interviewed for the 2010 Bucs World Championship DVD, we should appear modest, as taking full credit for the trophy might not sit well with some of the players.
Wild-card magic begins tonight at seven with Duke and the Bucs, willed by the fan base, figuratively pistol-whipping Brett Myers and the hapless Astros.
Historians will look back upon this rest as transformative when trying to explain how the 2010 Bucs charged back to win the pennant.
Seventh day of Lincolnmas vs. Randy Wolf starting soon.
Bucs might want to rest today for an extended break.
Karstens and Bush at seven.
I'd be entertained if All-Star Evan Meek pitched every single game from here on out.
Maholm and Davis at eight.
After a surprisingly tough series at Houston, the Pirates can move on and continue their long winning streak in Milwaukee.
McCutchen and Moehler at eight.
Remember, the Bucs can't win EVERY day. And each loss will make the second-half comeback that much more remarkable.
Sixth day of Lincolnmas vs. Wandy Rodriguez at eight.
Obviously, the ascent to the wild-card begins with fifth place, but don't lose sight of the big picture, where these Bucs go all the way.
Everyone rest up for this crucial series with the hapless Astros. Fifth place could be on the line.
Blanton and Karstens at one.
These two teams are looking pretty evenly matched. I'd say if the Pirates meet the Phillies in the playoffs, the series would go five or seven games.
Kendrick and Maholm at seven.
The sizzling magical Pirates are the hottest team in all the majors.
McCutchen and Hamels at seven.
Playoff teams usually win at least six games in July.
Cereal bowl night. All fans get a Pirate cereal bowl.
Fifth day of Lincolnmas vs. Tom Gorzelanny at two.
If you add some ELO to the playoff odds, they show some life.
At the end of June the Pirates are at an inflection point. They need a lot of ELO. Perhaps the front office could add an ELO post-game concert this weekend. They would jazz up Saturday's Zambelli fireworks and subtly increase the playoff odds.
Karstens and Lilly at eight.
Until the hapless Cubs are willing to dive at liners, Lilly will never win.
Maholm and Wells at eight.
If the Cubs' infielders aren't willing to dive for Big Z, don't expect Wells to get much help tonight. Advantage Bucs.
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.
Karstens and Feldmen at eight.
Maybe Maholm needs to rest up for the playoff run like Duke.
The NL Central's hottest team take on the hapless, small-market Rangers at eight.
Ohlendorf and Hunter are the starting pitchers.
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.
Playoff odds now at nine percent of a percent of a percent.
This number should be getting bigger as the season progresses.
Huff and Karstens at seven.
Neil Walker cures the sick then hits dingers into the river. Show starts at seven.
Duke and Danks and the beginning of the Pedro Alvarez Era at seven.
Please join us at six along the banks of the Allegheny to collectively will Pedro to walk across the river during the pre-game show.
We are hardly ready.
I vote we go with Bones' plan, i.e., collectively will Pedro to make his PNC entrance and debut after walking across the river. In full gear, bat in hand.
Because there is no plan B.
Brad Lincoln and Freddy Garcia at seven. Hopefully the Bucs will not pick up any bad habits from these hapless American League teams.
Pirates get the day off to travel home from Detroit for a six-game homestand against the hapless American League.
Hopefully the vuvuzelas will sweep into PNC to better express our will.
Karstens and Galarraga at one. The Bucs should start planning entertaining stunts for Pedromas. I'd be entertained if fans lined the banks of the Allegheny, and willed Pedro to walk across. Of course if this only has a 37% chance of working, safety measures could be put in place.
Maholm and Bonderman at seven. As the hapless Tigers continue to try to showcase Don "Mr. October" Kelly to the Bucs' brass, expect to see Kelly lead off or bat fourth, at either SS, 2B, RF, or most likely, 1B.
Ohlendorf and Verlander at seven. Might be a good day for JR to rest most of the team for the wild-card race.
Merry Lincolnmas! The huge national media swarm that has descended upon this series will finally get to see what they came for - phenom Brad Lincoln's debut against a last place hapless opponent. What better present for Lincolnmas than ... Tabatamas?
Karstens and Strasburg at seven. Typical move from the last place hapless Nationals, trotting out some kid who has never thrown a single MLB pitch to face a fourth place team in playoff contention.
The MLB draft begins at seven. Bucs take quality-now high school RHP Jameson Taillon High school SS Manny Machado seems to be the likely pick. Prepare for Upside.
Eveland and Silva at 12:35. Silva has been dominant of late, so JR might want to rest everyone today as we practice how to will new guy Eveland to victory.
Ohlendorf and Lincecum at 1:35. The long-haired kid has struggled with his command of late, and is ill-prepared for the crushing blow of Rowdy's iron will, which is capable of the most amazing things.
