8/23 Game Thread - Nova v Stros

fjk090852-7 · Post by **fjk090852-7** » Wed Aug 24, 2016 12:35 am

Nova is pitching a very good game. Maybe he is this years J A Happ.

SteadyFreddy · Post by **SteadyFreddy** » Wed Aug 24, 2016 12:58 am

5D7F6C717277707F5C6B7D7D711E0 wrote: The Good News ... Mets lead Cards 3-0 in the 1st

The Bad News ... Niese is starting for the Mets.

Cards get 3 off Niese and now trail 4-3.

SammyKhalifa · Post by **SammyKhalifa** » Wed Aug 24, 2016 1:17 am

First walk as a pirate.

rucker59@gmail.com · Post by **rucker59@gmail.com** » Wed Aug 24, 2016 1:18 am

535F5E050C050D00071802350 wrote: Nova is pitching a very good game. Maybe he is this years J A Happ.

An absolute gem. +1 for Neal on this trade so far.

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Wed Aug 24, 2016 1:41 am

Love the CG!

SteadyFreddy · Post by **SteadyFreddy** » Wed Aug 24, 2016 1:57 am

Nova has been very solid through 4 starts. He gave the Pirates exactly what they needed tonight. Hopefully Cole takes notice and does the same thing tomorrow afternoon. Cole really needs to pitch a good game tomorrow.

SteadyFreddy · Post by **SteadyFreddy** » Wed Aug 24, 2016 2:08 am

The Royals beat the Marlins 1-0. The Bucs are now 1 game back of the Marlins as they gain a game back from the weekend.

CarolinaBucco · Post by **CarolinaBucco** » Wed Aug 24, 2016 2:13 am

Once again, tomorrow we are faced with one of these dreaded situations where EVERYTHING (in theory) points in the Pirates' favor.

* Pirates at home

* Pirates starting Gerrit Cole (used to be a good thing).

* Astros starting someone named Collin McHugh. His ERA is 5.00. In his last 5 starts he has allowed 40 hits and 24 runs. He is a bad pitcher.

* You would THINK the Pirates should be able to win what is basically a MUST WIN tomorrow to take this series. But Cole has not proven he can win a big game lately. I can easily see him doing his standard 5 IP, 5 runs, 98 pitches. And the Pirates have not proven they can score against rotten pitching.

* Things need to change tomorrow. The Pirates HAVE to have it.

UtahPirate · Post by **UtahPirate** » Wed Aug 24, 2016 2:58 am

Didn't get to watch, but I love to have someone who did comment.

The box showed Nova's Ground Ball outs to Fly Balls outs at 15 to 2. I've seen him pitch a couple of times and he threw a lot of long fly ball outs. What happened? Anyone notice? Is he getting more run on his fastballs, maybe throwing more two seamers now? Is he throwing his curve to location better?

His previous three games were 10/10 in a win against Cincy; 4/18 in his win at LA (remember how many long outs were recorded that game); then 8/5 in his SF win. Tonight's line is a huge difference. Almost stunning. Is that stat correct?

Tintin · Post by **Tintin** » Wed Aug 24, 2016 3:26 am

7150454C744D56455041240 wrote: Didn't get to watch, but I love to have someone who did comment.

The box showed Nova's Ground Ball outs to Fly Balls outs at 15 to 2. I've seen him pitch a couple of times and he threw a lot of long fly ball outs. What happened? Anyone notice? Is he getting more run on his fastballs, maybe throwing more two seamers now? Is he throwing his curve to location better?

His previous three games were 10/10 in a win against Cincy; 4/18 in his win at LA (remember how many long outs were recorded that game); then 8/5 in his SF win. Tonight's line is a huge difference. Almost stunning. Is that stat correct?

He was fantastic. First strikes all night. They were defending the plate and taking uncomfortable swings all night.

I wish Cole would take a lesson on this start and have faith in his stuff and throw strikes.