OnlyBucs

1. Josh Harrison (R) 2B

2. Austin Meadows (L) LF

3. Starling Marte (R) CF

4. Colin Moran (L) 3B

5. Francisco Cervelli (R) C

6. Josh Bell (S) 1B

7. Gregory Polanco (L) RF

8. Jordy Mercer (R) SS

9. Jameson Taillon (R) P



Cervelli back. Dickerson's (.311) turn to sit so that Polanco (.202) can play and not hustle. Clearly, the goal is not to win.

Well Bobster at least Dickerson will be well rested with today off and the off day tomorrow for games that matter later on in the season as Clint likes to say. Unfortunately Dickerson will probably be playing those meaningful games for someone else come August and September because he definitely won’t be playing meaningful games for the Pirates if he is still on this team in August or September.

Of course it makes perfect sense to take a total of about 10 at-bats away from Meadows and Dickerson over a 2-game span so that Polanco can see if he can get his batting average below .200.



Inexcusable.



Infuriating.

I thought it was bad when we went about 2 years with just 2 outfielders (also idiotic).



But having 4 outfielders is even worse if they are going to insist on benching Meadows or Dickerson all the time.



I swear, this franchise ...

0022312C2F2A2D22013620202C430 wrote: Of course it makes perfect sense to take a total of about 10 at-bats away from Meadows and Dickerson over a 2-game span so that Polanco can see if he can get his batting average below .200.



Inexcusable.



Infuriating.

I’m with CB it’s extremely annoying to see Hurdle continue to do this crap when they have lost 18 of 24 games and 8 straight series and desperately need to start winning every game possible to stay relevant in the standings. The front office is gonna see if this losing keeps up how bad these crowds are gonna suffer especially on this 10 game homestand coming up starting Friday. They are getting exactly what they deserve in my opinion and I don’t see them all of a sudden snapping out of this funk they have been unfit the last month and stringing together a bunch of wins. I can’t wait until Sean Rodriguez starts again because we gotta hear for the 50 millionth time how important it is to get him going since he is such a key member in that clubhouse. It’s really starting to get disgusting more and more.

7E59484C49546B5F484949542D0 wrote: Of course it makes perfect sense to take a total of about 10 at-bats away from Meadows and Dickerson over a 2-game span so that Polanco can see if he can get his batting average below .200.



Inexcusable.



Infuriating.

I’m with CB it’s extremely annoying to see Hurdle continue to do this crap when they have lost 18 of 24 games and 8 straight series and desperately need to start winning every game possible to stay relevant in the standings. The front office is gonna see if this losing keeps up how bad these crowds are gonna suffer especially on this 10 game homestand coming up starting Friday. They are getting exactly what they deserve in my opinion and I don’t see them all of a sudden snapping out of this funk they have been unfit the last month and stringing together a bunch of wins. I can’t wait until Sean Rodriguez starts again because we gotta hear for the 50 millionth time how important it is to get him going since he is such a key member in that clubhouse. It’s really starting to get disgusting more and more.




Clint also explained that Polanco didn't hustle down to first last night because he is getting treatment on his hamstrings (of course he has been getting that treatment since last year).

It’s only fair that Meadows gets in on all the Shenanigans of this lovable team. It’s like we have a lineup of Laurel and Hardy, the Three Stooges, Leno and Letterman, And Rowan and Martin, managed by Rodney Dangerfield.

694E5F5B5E437C485F5E5E433A0 wrote: Of course it makes perfect sense to take a total of about 10 at-bats away from Meadows and Dickerson over a 2-game span so that Polanco can see if he can get his batting average below .200.



Inexcusable.



Infuriating.

I’m with CB it’s extremely annoying to see Hurdle continue to do this crap when they have lost 18 of 24 games and 8 straight series and desperately need to start winning every game possible to stay relevant in the standings. The front office is gonna see if this losing keeps up how bad these crowds are gonna suffer especially on this 10 game homestand coming up starting Friday. They are getting exactly what they deserve in my opinion and I don’t see them all of a sudden snapping out of this funk they have been unfit the last month and stringing together a bunch of wins. I can’t wait until Sean Rodriguez starts again because we gotta hear for the 50 millionth time how important it is to get him going since he is such a key member in that clubhouse. It’s really starting to get disgusting more and more.


Unfortunately for the fans, this team is not trying to stay relevant in the standings. They're breaking in young starters and relievers. They're patiently giving Polanco and Bell and S-Rod all the time they need to improve their games. Prior to the season, NH made comments that they were kinda, sorta rebuilding but not really because they expected to compete even tho the odds were against them and their "win model" was not consistent with making the post season. In other words, cutting thru the BS, they were rebuilding but didn't want to admit it because they wanted fans to buy tickets without expecting a ton of losing games. But bottom line--they were rebuilding. The unexpected fast start was great for marketing as it appeared to support NH's BS. But now they have settled into the losing that

TBMTIB knew was sure to occur. Hurdle seems to know his job is not to win--it's to develop these young players. He was extended because winning is not a priority. As a fan, it's so frustrating to see them losing all the time and not even appearing to try to win. Ladies and gentlemen, your 2018 Pittsburgh Pirates!



The only hope for a new strategy is if attendance hits rock bottom and TBMTIB decides a new plan is needed for financial reasons. Because they seem quite content with a strategy that doesn't emphasize winning.

Greinke opening the door for the Buccos. Gotta take advantage.



Bell with an RBI double. Bases loaded and no outs.

And Mercer brings in two more with a double.



Buccos fight back!