OnlyBucs

He only got the save cause Felipe was ejected though.

0D302E232C262D0F2730212726420 wrote: He only got the save cause Felipe was ejected though.
That's my point. He never would have gotten the opportunity but because Vazquez was ejected, Rodriguez got the chance and did the job. The closer is not the only one capable of getting a save. They don't always have to be held in reserve for that opportunity under the premise that no one else is capable. But managers would rather lose a game in the 7th or 8th than use the closer in anything but a save situation. But obviously, other relievers are capable of an occasional save.

60617A6B7D3D3A0E0 wrote: Haven't seen enough of Archer to know but he seems to have no idea where the pitch is going.  So far he's a big disappointment gave up a lot to get him so far nothing to show for it. 
I would calm down a little. Archer has very good swing and miss stuff. He does need to be more efficient but he gives you a chance almost every time out.
I'll calm down when he starts acting like a pitcher. He's walked 5 in 11 innings, that's a recipe for disaster. It wouldn't be so bad, but he did the same thing the few games he had with us last year. A pitcher who can't throw strikes isn't a pitcher. Teams will realize all they have to do is take pitches and he'll implode, ever heard of a guy named Liriano.

Just my two cents...



I haven’t really watched any games this year, save opening day against the Cards. But it seems to me that while things are off to a good start, it should be so much better. They could have easily won opening day and really should have won both games against StL. I’m happy with 5-3 (that’s a 100 win pace for the year), but they really should be at worst 7-1, and potentially 8-0. Woulda, coulda, shoulda, I suppose.



Also, on the brawl, I didn’t have an issue with Dietrich admiring the HR. Pitchers get excited after a big K to end an inning. Why can’t a hitter admire a bomb? Definitely an unwritten rule I’ve never understood. Puig is a punk and was out of control, but I didn’t think they were justified in throwing at him. Don’t be so sensitive, Buccos! Don’t hang one right in his wheelhouse and you won’t have a problem.



Good to see Bell hitting. I realize we’re only 5% through the season, but he’s on pace for 40 dingers. I doubt he gets there, but he’s so key to making the offense click. Hopefully, we get a big year from him.



Also, I have to give NH some credit on the outfield. They knew Polanco was going to miss some time, but with Chisenhall and Dickerson out, they’re missing three of their top four outfielders. Martin looks more than capable. Cabrera is a pretty good option for a fifth outfielder. And you could do a lot worse than Schuck for what is essentially your #6 or 7 outfielder on the depth chart.



Good to sweep any series, but a four gamer against the Reds? Nice.

I hope Clint continues to play Martin the majority of the time he is up here over guys like Reyes and Shuck. He looks like he knows what he is doing up there at the plate and with both Dickerson and Polanco out still having Melky starting and hitting the way he has so far albeit it’s only 8 games, and having Martin as well look like he can contribute in a good way with the bat the Pirates can win a lot if games I think with both of these guys in the lineup. Hopefully Martin plays well enough and can be a 4th or 5th outfielder and on the bench with the big league club once both Corey and Polanco return. I’d much rather have Martin then someone like Shuck who doesn’t add much overall at the plate or in the outfield.

Good to see Rodriguez pitch a drama free ninth inning.



Bell showing signs of life is vital. And with Frazier hitting well in the lead off spot, the lineup has serious potential. When polanco and Dickerson return, they will have a strong 1-7.

283032353522333429283E5B0 wrote: Haven't seen enough of Archer to know but he seems to have no idea where the pitch is going.  So far he's a big disappointment gave up a lot to get him so far nothing to show for it. 
I would calm down a little. Archer has very good swing and miss stuff. He does need to be more efficient but he gives you a chance almost every time out.
I'll calm down when he starts acting like a pitcher.  He's walked 5 in 11 innings, that's a recipe for disaster.  It wouldn't be so bad, but he did the same thing the few games he had with us last year.  A pitcher who can't throw strikes isn't a pitcher.  Teams will realize all they have to do is take pitches and he'll implode, ever heard of a guy named Liriano. 
You're being ridiculous. He also has only given up 7 hits, has 15 k's and a WHIP of 1.09. Yeah I wish all of our guys would start acting like "real" pitchers.

Being primarily a strikeout pitcher he's always going to throw a lot of pitches (obviously) and might not go long in innings as a result. You might have to just take the good with the bad there but I would like to see more efficient innings.

He's like the second coming of Liriano for this team.

1F2D21213507242D20252A2D4C0 wrote: Being primarily a strikeout pitcher he's always going to throw a lot of pitches (obviously) and might not go long in innings as a result.  You might have to just take the good with the bad there but I would like to see more efficient innings.
Since Archer became a full time starter in 2013, he's averaged 5.6 (2013), 6.1 (2014), 6.2 (2015), 5.9 (2016), 5.9 (2017) and 5.5 (2018) innings per start. Career is 5.9. He went 6 yesterday. That's basically the norm for him. I'm sure the Pirates were aware of that when they made the trade. He only averages 3 walks per 9 innings so he's not wild. But he usually goes deep in the count by trying to get batters to chase. He doesn't miss by a lot so he gets those chases by batters who are afraid it might be called a strike. That's just his style and I don't think Searage will tinker with it. He's a tough pitcher to face for 5 or 6 innings but then he's gone. Since there's no magic to the 100 pitch rule, maybe they could let him go 110-115 and get an extra inning a lot of the time from him.