Game 93: Marlins at Pirates

Big A.J. vs. Lil' Z for the win.

Game 92: Marlins at Pirates

Correia vs. Nolasco tonight. Bucs need a win for a chance at first place tomorrow.

If the Bucs trade for a Drew or Scutaro or other upgrade at SS, Barmes could start in RF.

Off day

No game today. Bucs are tied for first, with the Reds hosting the D-backs today.

Preparation for the postseason should not involve rest, but instead extra batting practice and maybe even a buntathon.

Game 91: Pirates at Rockies

J-Mac and Guthrie in a must-win day game. Hopefully some of the infielders can run around in the outfield today.

RF prospects

Quickly looking through the minors for utility infielders who could start in right field, it's clear that Altoona is the first place to look, with an impressive and affiliate-leading 54 bunts. However, closer inspection reveals Cumpton bunting his ass off is in part responsible, with a jaw-dropping 8 SH in only 25 PA. He's a pitcher though, not a utility infielder.

Benji Gonzalez in Bradenton is the obvious choice, leading the minors with 9 SH while playing 2B/SS/3B, so probably ready to jog out into RF and learn on the job.

Game 90: Pirates at Rockies

Bedard and Friedrice tonight.

Bucs need a win to drive away the creeping languor.

Game 89: Pirates at Rockies

Karstens and Francis tonight.

The Bucs need to bunt and trade their way back into first place.

Game 88: Pirates at Brewers

A. J. Burnett and Gallardo at two.

Here's hoping that Larry Vanover excused himself from last night's Blatz party.

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.