For the first time in a long time, the Pittsburgh Pirates won a series over the weekend. Sure, they needed a complete collapse in two consecutive nights by the opposing team’s bullpen, but still, they earned two hard-fought victories against the Toronto Blue Jays, and now look to carry that success over to this week’s next opponent – the San Francisco Giants.
The Giants are coming of a series sweep of the Atlanta Braves, giving up just three runs in the three-game set. San Fran is 20-11 on the season, which is good enough for 1st place in the N.L. West in this young season. Tim Hudson and Madison Bumgarner are leading the pitching staff, while Buster Posey, Michael Morse, and Brandon Belt are fronting the offense attack. They have a lineup that can hurt you with small ball or by hitting the ball out of the park, and is expected to be a team battling for the National League crown at the end of the season.
Pittsburgh’s offense woke up over the weekend, scoring a total of 16 runs in three games against the Blue Jays. Two dramatic victories, including a walk-off homerun by Starling Marte on Friday and a huge two-run double by Neil Walker in the eighth on Saturday, clinched a series victory for the Pirates for the first time in far too long. Now they look to carry that momentum over to this week against the Giants.
If the Pirates are to secure another series victory, they will have to do it against three tough pitchers. All three have had success against the Bucs in the past, while Pittsburgh’s starting pitching has been anything but reliable so far this season. Jeff Locke will make his first start of the season for Pittsburgh tonight in the opening game of the series.
Giants (20-11, 1st In N.L. West) vs. Pirates (12-19, 4th In N.L. Central)
5/5 – Matt Cain (SF) (0-3, 4.35 ERA, WHIP 1.32) vs. Jeff Locke (PIT) (0-0, 0.00 ERA, WHIP 0.00)
5/6 – Tim Hudson (SF) (4-1, 2.17 ERA, WHIP 0.74) vs. Charlie Morton (PIT) (0-4, 4.21 ERA, WHIP 1.40)
5/7 – Tim Lincecum (SF) (2-1, 5.12 ERA, WHIP 1.61) vs. Gerrit Cole (PIT) (2-2, 3.69 ERA, WHIP 1.31)
The Pirates will look to win the second series of this home stand against the Giants before they welcome the defending National League champions to PNC Park this weekend. Be sure to check back here throughout the week for the latest recaps and reactions to each and every game, right here at Fans From The Stands!
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
