OnlyBucs

If you made me pick just one stat or one note that best explained why the Pirates are not currently in playoff position, I would choose this one:



Pirates’ record last year in games started by Cole: 23-9



Pirates’ record this year in games started by Cole: 8-12



That is an enormous swing.



Let’s give him a (very big) benefit of the doubt and say that the Pirates will win 2 more of his starts, which seems hard to believe at this point. But, anyway, that would make 10 for the year.



That’s a huge 13-game drop-off. And to me that provides the single biggest explanation for why this team is currently out of playoff position.



If the Pirates had gone just 13-7 in his starts this year (instead of 8-12), they would lead the wild card standings.

I agree. Very alarming. I am just chalking it up as a bad year just like Kang, McCutchen and Cervelli (injuries).



I wonder what their record was with Liriano? I think Liriano was the worst player who was counted on this year for the Pirates. That is a bad one-two punch.

444F474B4E4F541117605941484F4F0E434F200 wrote: I agree.  Very alarming.  I am just chalking it up as a bad year just like Kang, McCutchen and Cervelli (injuries). 



I wonder what their record was with Liriano?  I think Liriano was the worst player who was counted on this year for the Pirates.  That is a bad one-two punch.


Shockingly, the Pirates were 9-12 when Liriano pitched.



Just for fun:

Locke 9-10

Niese 9-9

I saw yesterday where Niese underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn meniscus, likely ending his tenure with the Mets. The speculation was that he would be looking for an incentive laden contract for next year to reestablish his value as a mid-level starter. And to think . . . we are always looking for bounce-back candidates . . .

Niese came off as a good guy. Sucks he wasn't very good for the Pirates.



Anyone know the Pirates' record at this point the last three seasons?

7378707C7978632620576E767F7878397478170 wrote:

Anyone know the Pirates' record at this point the last three seasons?
Previous 3 years:

75-48

64-59

72-51

Thanks.



So, the Pirates are right on 2014 pace.

Actually, it was:

76-49

64-61

74-51

Exactly the same record as in 2014.



We shouldn't be giving up. Let's go. We can do this.

4A41494540415A1F196E574F464141004D412E0 wrote: Exactly the same record as in 2014.



We shouldn't be giving up. Let's go. We can do this.
Yes but...the Pirates need to go 24-13 the rest of the way to equal the 2014 record of 88-74. That's almost 2 wins for each loss which is far different than the 1:1 ratio we've seen so far. Furthermore, SF needs only go 20-15 to win 89 games and St.L needs go only 22-14 to win 89 games. So even if they could match 2014's record, it might not be good enough.