It’s been a crazy beginning to the 2014 regular season for the Pittsburgh Pirates, including back-to-back walk off victories at PNC Park. But the overall theme of this VERY young season has been the offensive struggles. After scoring just seven runs in three games against the Chicago Cubs, the Bucs welcome the St. Louis Cardinals to PNC Park for a three-game set this weekend.
The Cardinals took two of three from the Cincinnati Reds this week, setting up an early season matchup against the team that they eliminated from the N.L. playoffs in October. The Pirates have waited six months for a little revenge, and this weekend, in front of their home crowd, should be an exciting series.
Obviously, it’s much too early in the season to diagnose anything about these two teams as of yet, but the Pirates’ pitching has picked up right where it left off in 2013. Francisco Liriano and Charlie Morton pitched solidly in their first starts of the season, while after a rough start, Wandy Rodriguez settled in and looked stronger in the latter innings of his start yesterday.
The offense will need to pick up considerably if the Pirates want to win their second series at PNC Park this season against the high-scoring Cardinals.
Pitching Matchups:
Friday, April 4: Shelby Miller (STL) vs. Gerrit Cole (PIT)
Saturday, April 5: Joe Kelly (STL) vs. Francisco Liriano (PIT) (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 10K, 3 BB, WHIP 1.17)
Sunday, April 6: Adam Wainwright (STL) (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9 K, 4 BB, WHIP 1.00) vs. Edinson Volquez (PIT) (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 K, 0 BB, WHIP 0.50)
The Pirates will look to open 2014 with back-to-back series victories at home before they hit the road for their first road trip of this young season. Be sure to check back here for the latest recaps and reactions to this weekend’s series from us, the Fans From The Stands!
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
