Official Game Thread - 8/18 - Bucs vs Mariners

[Surgnbuck]

My winning streak is snapped at 7. Time to start a new one next weekend.

Me and two friends tailgated before the game, reviving an old tradition we had going prior to Covid. One of our dearest friends passed a couple years ago, so we bought an extra seat in honor of him, a Viet Nam Navy Vet and a damn fine postal service employee. So regardless the outcome of the game, we had a blast.

Some thoughts on the game:

I'm all for trading Hayes because of IKF and Nicky G. I'm not in favor if it means Triolo is getting that spot. He might be a fine glove, but his footwork is for crap, and he doesn't throw very well either. Those two infield singles are easy outs with Hayes in there, and of course that double play gets turned. Someone was worried about the defense in left field. The defense at third base literally cost 4-5 runs, and the game is completely different if Hayes is there, even if he goes 0-4 and hits into 3 double plays.

If you want to show a short video clip of what it means to be a professional, you show them Michael A. Taylors catch. In a blowout game, he wasn't worried about crashing into walls, blowing a hamstring, nothing. He flat out was pro on that. I will forever think highly of him, regardless how poor his bat is, and wish him well the rest of his career elsewhere. I will always clap for MAT.

I loved that Cruz kept playing hard too. If there ever was a guy I'd think would detach from a game like this, it would be him.

A lot of us were saying we wished the short stop had dropped the ball intentionally the Rowdy hit I think in the 8th inning and thens threw him out, because he was literally walking. Rowdy is too off and on for my liking, and I really was hoping he would have been cut by now, simply to give someone else some playing time that's doing well in AAA. Personally, I would not miss him. He's not good enough to be a prima donna.

I know a couple of us have mentioned this before he was sent down, and now that he's brought back up. Alika Williams has shown he's better offensively than Triolo, is just as good a glove, and should get Triolo's playing time.

I did not like bringing in Beeks to pitch the 9th, it should have been German again. Beeks is an actual bullpen guy, not a mop up man.

I'm really upset with the gatekeepers for the PBC/Suite entrance. I see people all over the stadium, usually older, carrying the give away for the kids, and I ask how they got them. They said they had an extra ticket, but their child couldn't go. They don't have a limit on the number of kids give aways, it's not the first 20,000 type of thing. I know it's for kids 14 and under, but I had the extra seat, explained that my son couldn't go and this was the last kids give away ever for him, because the next time he'll be 15. So, yes they followed the rules. It bothers me so many others are understanding and break the rule. Yes, I do feel that people who have season tickets in the premium seating areas deserve a little extra perk. I'm going to let my ticket rep know ahead of time before the questionairres go out, to tell that idiot Travis Williams to reinstate the guaranteed give away again. Maybe I'll run into BOB, and tell him Travis stopped the program. I'll let BOB know that it cost 150 dollars per seat for the Pirates to send out one each of every giveaway for each seat you pay 150 for. I'll remind BOB that these promotions are payed for by the sponsors, and all it costs the Pirates is shipping and handling, they keep the rest. They send them out in two different shipments. It was great. It's nice to have the swag to give to friends, kids, etc.

They had no business not pulling the tarp out. That's MLB being more concerned about flights and the fact these two teams don't see each other again. I'm glad none of the players got hurt, because the infield was pooling. This is what can happen when you go balanced schedule and interleague play. I know in September things can be a problem, but it was never an issue in August. It was completely wrong, and they knew the weather would be fine afterwards.

[Doc]

Good stuff, Surge. You mentioned Travis Williams. When he was hired, I thought he’d have some influence on Nutting and would be able to move him towards being a real owner. I’ve been disappointed. Like with Coonelly, I wonder just what it is that he does. I get the impression that he could leave tomorrow and nothing would change for the worse. I’m likely wrong, but he hasn’t done a single thing I know about that shows he’s contributed to the organization in some positive way.

[steve 49]

Bart gets HR #12 and RBIs 35 and 36. Only 5 Pirates have more RBIs. He trails Tellez by only 6.

It’s imperative that he’s not having a fluke season. If not, it allows BC to have a couple of options with Henry Davis, converting him to a first baseman or a full time DH. Davis has to be able to hit, otherwise he’s of no help.

Davis is a bad C and is even worse in RF. It certainly would make sense to move him to first base. That said , where is Endy R slotted for next year ? He has played some 2nd base but we have Nicky G and Kiner-Falefa . Crazy that such a poor line-up looks to be "crowded" next year.

[Doc]

Bart gets HR #12 and RBIs 35 and 36. Only 5 Pirates have more RBIs. He trails Tellez by only 6.

It’s imperative that he’s not having a fluke season. If not, it allows BC to have a couple of options with Henry Davis, converting him to a first baseman or a full time DH. Davis has to be able to hit, otherwise he’s of no help.

Davis is a bad C and is even worse in RF. It certainly would make sense to move him to first base. That said , where is Endy R slotted for next year ? He has played some 2nd base but we have Nicky G and Kiner-Falefa . Crazy that such a poor line-up looks to be "crowded" next year.

That's a good question. Bart's play has made for a dilemma when it comes to what to do with Endy. But to be honest, was Endy so good last year that the Pirates have to designate a position for him? I know it was just one season but, offensively, he didn't do a whole lot. He didn't show much in the way of power and he wasn't exactly an on-base machine. Right field might be where he finds a home, mostly because we have no outfielders. I definitely wouldn't have him at second base taking time away from Gonzales.

[bucs607179]

Me and two friends tailgated before the game, reviving an old tradition we had going prior to Covid. One of our dearest friends passed a couple years ago, so we bought an extra seat in honor of him, a Viet Nam Navy Vet and a damn fine postal service employee. So regardless the outcome of the game, we had a blast.

Now I'm scared. I am a Nam Navy vet and I was a damn fine Postal employee.

[Bobster]

It’s imperative that he’s not having a fluke season. If not, it allows BC to have a couple of options with Henry Davis, converting him to a first baseman or a full time DH. Davis has to be able to hit, otherwise he’s of no help.

Davis is a bad C and is even worse in RF. It certainly would make sense to move him to first base. That said , where is Endy R slotted for next year ? He has played some 2nd base but we have Nicky G and Kiner-Falefa. Crazy that such a poor line-up looks to be "crowded" next year.

That's a good question. Bart's play has made for a dilemma when it comes to what to do with Endy. But to be honest, was Endy so good last year that the Pirates have to designate a position for him? I know it was just one season but, offensively, he didn't do a whole lot. He didn't show much in the way of power and he wasn't exactly an on-base machine. Right field might be where he finds a home, mostly because we have no outfielders. I definitely wouldn't have him at second base taking time away from Gonzales.

I agree Doc. Rodriguez hit very well in the minors and played C, 1B, 2B and OF. He didn't distinguish himself in a SSS with the Pirates last year, so the jury is still out. I think if he could come back next year and do as well as Bart is doing this year, the Pirates would be very happy. But Bart is already here and producing at a high level. So they need to see if this is a fluke or if it is the talent that made him the #2 overall pick of the 2018 draft. So it has to be his job to lose. (And I don't think he will.) Endy is versatile. And the Pirates love versatility. Next year let him be the #2 catcher and super utility guy for 1B, 2B, OF and DH. And if Bart disappoints, he could become the #1 catcher. Have Davis work at 1B and OF and he could also DH. Those 2 roster spots would cover 1B and #2 catcher (plus 5th OFer) and replace Tellez and Grandal. And there's nothing the Pirates love more (including winning, apparently) than changing the lineup daily and having players play different positions.

[3pirates3]

Condolences re: your friend, bucs607179. Good for you guys for continuing the tradition.

[Surgnbuck]

Me and two friends tailgated before the game, reviving an old tradition we had going prior to Covid. One of our dearest friends passed a couple years ago, so we bought an extra seat in honor of him, a Viet Nam Navy Vet and a damn fine postal service employee. So regardless the outcome of the game, we had a blast.

Now I'm scared. I am a Nam Navy vet and I was a damn fine Postal employee.

Wow, it's like a Twilight Zone episode

[steve 49]

It’s imperative that he’s not having a fluke season. If not, it allows BC to have a couple of options with Henry Davis, converting him to a first baseman or a full time DH. Davis has to be able to hit, otherwise he’s of no help.

Davis is a bad C and is even worse in RF. It certainly would make sense to move him to first base. That said , where is Endy R slotted for next year ? He has played some 2nd base but we have Nicky G and Kiner-Falefa . Crazy that such a poor line-up looks to be "crowded" next year.

That's a good question. Bart's play has made for a dilemma when it comes to what to do with Endy. But to be honest, was Endy so good last year that the Pirates have to designate a position for him? I know it was just one season but, offensively, he didn't do a whole lot. He didn't show much in the way of power and he wasn't exactly an on-base machine. Right field might be where he finds a home, mostly because we have no outfielders. I definitely wouldn't have him at second base taking time away from Gonzales.

Bobster makes a good point as I didn't realize he played so many positions in the minors. I see that "Pirates News" has an article today addressing this issue. They are projecting Endy to be our regular 1st baseman next year. So maybe Davis presents the bigger question ? Could be Davis is a DH and back up catcher with a start here and there in RF ? That would sacrifice some defense as he's a butcher in RF and Endy is the better defensive catcher. Hopefully Bart , Davis and Rodriguez present us with a problem next year. Thus far the only one that has shown he can hit ML pitching is Bart.

[bucs607179]

Me and two friends tailgated before the game, reviving an old tradition we had going prior to Covid. One of our dearest friends passed a couple years ago, so we bought an extra seat in honor of him, a Viet Nam Navy Vet and a damn fine postal service employee. So regardless the outcome of the game, we had a blast.

Now I'm scared. I am a Nam Navy vet and I was a damn fine Postal employee.

Wow, it's like a Twilight Zone episode

That was funny!