The MLB schedulers haven’t been kind to the Pirates early on in the season. After facing one of the best teams in the league in the Philadelphia Phillies to start the season, the Pirates embarked on a nine-game roadtrip to the West Coast. Despite being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers, one-hit by Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants and suffering injuries to Jeff Karstens and Joel Hanrahan, the Pirates were able to escape the trip going 3-6. I predicted they would go 4-5 on the West Coast swing, so a game under that isn’t a big disappointment to me.
Despite returning home, the Pirates schedule doesn’t get any easier. They will play two three-game sets against reigning World Series champions St. Louis Cardinals (9-4) and the Colorado Rockies (6-6). The Cardinals will be without Lance Berkman for the series as they placed the slugger on the 15-day disabled list with a left calf strain. Taking the hill for the Pirates will be right-hander Charlie Morton who will be making his second start of the season. Morton pitched five innings in his season debut against the Giants on Saturday night allowing three runs on seven hits in the no-decision.
Squaring off against Morton will be the 24-year-old Lance Lynn. Lynn is 2-0 on the young season with a 1.50 ERA. Lynn will be making his first career start against the Pirates.
Three things to watch:
1) Charlie Morton – Morton only threw 71 pitches in his start against the Giants, and with the wear-and-tear on the bullpen from the Arizona series, the Pirates will be hoping that Morton will be able to work at least six, possibly seven innings tonight. If Morton gets in trouble early, the Pirates won’t be able to turn to Brad Lincoln who is the scheduled starter on Monday Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle said before the game.
2) The back end of the bullpen – In the series against the Diamondbacks, everyone was surprised when veteran pitcher Juan Cruz took the mound in the ninth inning for the save. It was later reported that normal closer Joel Hanrahan was suffering from a strained right hamstring. Hurdle said that Hanrahan would be on the field for pregame fielding, and should have a better idea if he’ll be available right before the game. If Hanrahan is not available, look for the Pirates to turn to Cruz in a save situation after converting both opportunities against the Diamondbacks.
3) The offense – The Pirates offense finally came alive in the second game against the Diamondbacks, hammering out 13 hits and five runs in the 5-4 victory. The 3-4-5 hitters for the Pirates went 10-14 for five RBI on the night. Against the class of the division, the Pirates will need the same type of effort from the meat of the lineup if they want to take the series.
Pirates (5-7) vs. Cardinals (9-4)
First pitch scheduled for 7:05
Charlie Morton (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Lance Lynn (2-0, 1.50 ERA)
Pirates:
Alex Presley
Jose Tabata
Andrew McCutchen
Neil Walker
Garrett Jones
Rod Barajas
Pedro Alvarez
Clint Barmes
Charlie Morton
Cardinals:
Rafael Furcal
Matt Carpenter
Matt Holliday
Carlos Beltran
David Freese
Yadier Molina
Skip Schumaker
David Descalso
Photo credits: Getty Images
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