OnlyBucs

Another hapless HP ump. Seems like all umpires are giving pitchers a very wide strike zone this season. Since it coincides with the rules to speed up games it's very possible MLB gave that directive to umps because fewer walks and more strikeouts will help speed up games but the credit will go to the new rules, which MLB wants the fans to like. Maybe next year they'll go back to the actual strike zone.

Suwinski follows with a double of his own. 4-0 Bucs.

4-0 BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Suwinski looks out.

I like the strategy of scoring in every inning.

I see Kuhl has thrown 73 pitches over three innings. Some things never change.

6A3C2A3E312B3B303D2A183F35393134763B580 wrote: I see Kuhl has thrown 73 pitches over three innings.  Some things never change.
Yeah, this feels familiar.

Velasquez has a nice string of scoreless innings going.

Bases loaded for Reynolds!!

133E33222534236360510 wrote: Another hapless HP ump. Seems like all umpires are giving pitchers a very wide strike zone this season. Since it coincides with the rules to speed up games it's very possible MLB gave that directive to umps because fewer walks and more strikeouts will help speed up games but the credit will go to the new rules, which MLB wants the fans to like. Maybe next year they'll go back to the actual strike zone.


I had to make a very quick trip to Denver. Flew in yesterday and drove my parents' car home for them today. So, I listened to Game 1 on the radio. It seemed that every half inning they had someone touting the new rules and saying, "The fans spoke and we listened," or something like that.



I still don't like all the new rules (except the pitch clock). I will admit, that they seem to be benefiting the Pirates more than most teams. Bucs are stealing more and the NL DH allows McCutchen to come back. But I really don't like MLB telling me what I should like or making us think that they care what the fans think.



As it pertains to the game, Shelton said on the Game 2 pregame that Stephenson, Holderman, and Bednar are all unavailable in Game 2. Good start for the Bucs in the nightcap.



27 games is exactly 1/6 of the way through the season. It's not really "early" anymore. Yes, there's still 5/6 of the season to go, but those first 27 games count as much as any others. If the Pirates hold this 4-0 lead, they'll be 20-8. If they just play .500 ball the rest of the way, that's 87 wins. That puts them squarely in contention all year. This is shaping up to be a fun summer! I'm glad I started watching again.