.
Looking ahead to first pitch …
Game: Pirates (35-32) vs. Minnesota Twins (27-40)
Time: 7:05 p.m.
Site: PNC Park
TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan
Here is the live box score.
And here is the Pirates’ lineup vs. Minnesota RHP Liam Hendriks …
- Alex Presley, LF
- Neil Walker, 2B
- Andrew McCutchen, CF
- Garrett Jones, RF
- Casey McGehee, 1B
- Pedro Alvarez, 3B
- Rod Barajas, C
- Josh Harrison, SS
- James McDonald, RHP
Good line up tonight – Clint must be reading my mind. The Bucs need to “strap it on ‘em” tonight!!
The window would like to introduce a brand new feature. DOUBLE LINE THURSDAY!! Let’s open the window!!
Line #1
Total Strikeouts by James McDonald
Line is 7.5
Line #2
Total Combined Doubles + Triples + Home-runs by Pirates Hitters
Line is 4.5
** Please specify which line and how many units, the window is a terrible psychic **
*** MAXIMUM IS 100 (FAKE) UNITS ON ANY LINE ***
CURRENT PARTICIPANT TOTALS
JRay3 ** 765
Slack Boss ** 735
JMB ** 350
radio wave ** 350
Nate83 ** 340
DemonDachshund ** 330
Mlrgenuine ** 325
cosmo ** 255
Steve J Smith ** 250
Ryan (Nor-Cal Stlrfanrc) ** 200
Evan ** 183
Officer Mancuso ** 180
Chico ** 175
JaxBuc ** 170
pattonbb ** 150
JohninOshkosh ** 150
jeffsbar ** 150
bman ** 145
likeabugonarug ** 120
MarkV ** 100
Milo Hamilton ** 100
buggee ** 100
RobertoForever ** 80
Sir Lochsby ** 50
cmat0829 ** 50
OZ ** 25
Hal Smith ** 20
tmp444 ** 5
crkkid ** EVEN
lawnbeaver ** EVEN
NMR ** EVEN
Stuart ** -25
stuart66 ** -30
manny_sanguine ** -50
JD ** -50
Boise Bucco ** -50
JUCOfan ** -50
Kevin ** -75
Mike C. ** -100
bob hasis ** -100
Bizrow ** -230
GlassHalfFull ** -305
Arriba Wilver ** -330
TDB1977 ** -640
First Place at the end of the season will win:
(1) BRAND NEW PITTSBURGH PIRATES FITTED NEW ERA 59FIFTY HAT
Second Place at the end of the season will win:
(1) BRAND NEW PITTSBURGH PIRATES EARTH DAY GIVEAWAY HAT
Third Place at the end of the season will win:
(1) 2012 Topps Roberto Clemente Card
@Playoffs
Give me 50 on the UNDER for #1 and 100 on the OVER for #2
Give me 30 each on the under
Stuart
Look out below, 100 on OVAH for both, thanks
i’m starting to think we are actually going to see a Presley/Tabata platoon here. When 2/3 of your outfield is in platoon situations that isn’t good.
The window is going to have to step out.
As long as you get your (fake) wagers in before J-Mac throws his first pitch, they will be recorded.
Good Luck and LET’S GO BUCS!!
Hendriks is giving up a home run about every 3 innings this season, and has given up some doubles too.
100 on the over for both lines.
Hi
give me 20 on the under on both.
thanks for doing this.
I’m interested to see what this line up can do.
I think they all are capable is seeing the ball.
@playoffs
Cool – two opportunities to make up for the last pitch defeat last night…
Line #1: 55 on the UNDER
Line #2: 30 on the UNDER
Mr WINDOW:
Let’s go 100 fictional units on the OVER on JMAC’s Ks and another 100 on OVER for Pirates extra base hits.
Go BUCS.
@Playoffs:
Line #1: 100 OVER
Line #2: 100 UNDER
Much obliged sir
Right now, Jones needs to be in RF and McGehehehe at 1B. Jones in only for righties.
J-Hay can play anywhere, so I wouldn’t use him specifically as a RF platoon option.
Presley/Tabata does make more sense but not strictly on the lefty/lefty match ups. Tabby still gets most of the games in LF now, until Marte or trade is made for more power to put in RF.
Must find someone that can out-produce Jones though, right now, this month, not the easiest thing in the world to do.
Garrett’s line for June is .302 .326 .488 .814
Not too shabby. If he continues, then you really need to make one move. Either another Jones type of player (1B/RF) combo like a Willingham, who has been mentioned.
Here’s McGehee’s line for June: .347 .421 .592 1.013
both seem to be getting hot as the month moves on, hope it stays that way throughout the summer.
Playoffs:
#1: 50 on the OVER
#2: 25 on the UNDER
Let’s win the series!!!!
Serious question:
——if Tabata had not signed that long-term $15 mill contract, that has been so touted by many as a brilliant move by BMTIB, would he ever be regularly in line-up? Would he even be on team, or at Indy?
Tabata has 9 ribbies in approx 225 ABs, 3 on one misjudged double . . . . . so 6 RBIs in other 224 ABs.
He “forgets” to run sometimes!
I “want desperately” to believe Dejan’s column last Friday. Does Tabata?
The Bible says, “By their fruits you shall know them!” Tabata’s “fruit production” tells me he should be covering up that Clemente tattoo with an Indianapolis uniform!
Looking at some more stats during my lunch.
Pirates hitting in the month of June as a team:
6th in AVG
5th in HR
1st in SB
5th in OPS
6th in OBP
Decent numbers, I’ll take em. Especially where they were in the beginning of the season.
Pitching stats:
8th ERA
3rd (tie) Wins, 1 behind leaders
3rd (tie) Saves
14th (tied) SO’s (no big surprise)
6th AVG
All in all, not too shabby for June.
@Groat
Yes.
You’re right, Groat. 9 RBI’s is like dragon fruit. It’s not like he’s been in the leadoff spot every game, either. Should have more than 9 be default.
Tabata .255 for the month, Presley is .228.
@Playoffs by 2012
j mac under
team over
thanks
dave
Playoffs – Seems I’m continuing my march back to zero.
Line 1 – 100 on the under
Line 2 – 100 on the over
@dcpinpgh, you need to make a wager in units, thanks
@Ryan, you got it and good luck!!
@Stuart66, welcome back, you got it and good luck!!
@bizrow, you got it and good luck!!
@Evan, you got it and good luck!!
@Hal, you’re welcome, you got it and good luck!!
@bman, you got it and good luck!!
@cmat, you got it and good luck!!
@buggee, you got it and good luck!!
@tmp444, you got it and good luck!!
@pattonbb, you got it and good luck!!
@ Playoffs
I would like 50 units on the under for both. Thanks!
@Playoffs
100 on the over on line 1
100 on the under on line 2
Going for -840 tonight and solidifying last place even more
Enjoy a good game by the Bucs tonight
@ Playoffs – always coming up with something new and fresh…double line Thursday, nice! Well taking a look at tonight’s lines I do think there is some opportunity and sides with an advantage so let’s dive in.
Line 1 – This season J-Mac has 78 K’s in 81.1 IP. In his 13 starts this year he has netted 8+ K’s six times or 46% of the time. However he is on a recent trend where he only has 8+ K’s in in one of his past four starts and in his other three has 5 or less K’s. In addition, in his three starts in June he has reached 100 pitches by the end of six innings and has not pitched later than that this month as we see him trending to higher pitch counts. Couple those trends with the fact that the Twins have just 435 K’s in 67 GP this season and striking out only 6.49 times a game and the numbers point definitively in the favor of one direction.
I will take 75 on the UNDER in line 1.
Line 2- If there was ever a trick line this may be the one. On the surface it looks enticing as the Pirates face Liam Hendriks of the 0-3 record and 7.38 ERA. On top of that Hendriks has given up 38 Hits, 5 doubles, 1 triple and 8 HR’s. So on average he allows 2.8 2B+3B+HR a game. However he has only pitched six innings once this year and his other four starts did not make it that long, so the possibility is high that he may only be around five innings. Now on the year the Bucs have 103 doubles, 12 triples and 60 HR’s that equals a per game average of 2.6 per game (2.5 below the number needed to achieve). Couple that with this fact, in the team’s last ten games where they have produced 42 runs their 2B+3B+HR totals have been:1,2,4,3,3,1,3,6,5,1 so only twice have they achieved that mark or 20%.
The numbers show a distinct advantage one way even against a tantalizing opposing pitcher tonight.
Line 2 – I will take 75 on the UNDER
Thanks now let’s win this series tonight. Let’s Go Bucs!
Tonight”s Twins Road 9
1. Span 8
2. Revere 9
3. Willingham 7
4. Morneau 3
5. Plouffe 5
6, Doumit 2
7. Dozier 6
8. Casilla 4
9. Hendricks 1
I sure haven’t thought that the Twins shortstop was so hot in this series.
‘Course the Twins probably don’t think our shortstop tonight is so hot either!
@ Groat2Maz2Strangeglove #17
I agree with your thoughts about Tabata. I forgot that 3 of his RBIs were a gift of sorts. He has been a big 2012 disappointment in many ways – the Bucs can’t win the division with him being involved as much as he has been thus far this year. Now, if he regains his 2010 form, he can be a factor but, given the way he is playing and carrying himself, he probably needs a wake up call that involves a trip to Indy.
@Playoffs
Line 1: Please place 50 units on the UNDER for JMac’s K’s.
Line 2: 25 units on the (hopeful) OVER for XBH.
At playoffs:
Line 1, 70 on the under.
After 66 games, Pirates are 40 % through the season. Plenty of time to prove what kind of player you are.
It’s 2 weeks until the All Star break——Tabata has 2 weeks to show us the Tabata of 2010.
Otherwise, my starting line-up on that first game after the All Star break has Starling Marte in Left and Garrett Jones in Right. And Tabata would not be on the bench.
You keep talking about tabata and a trip to Indy. Does he even have any options left? I certainly can’t justify DFAing the dude. It isn’t that easy to send a guy with 2.5 years of MLB experience and a new contract down to AAA.
@ playoffs
line 1 – 75 under
line 2 – 100 under
thanks
@AJS
I’m guessing that since Hurdle threatened to send him down at least once that we know of, he has options left.
My understanding is that he has an option left, but JAL will have to verify that.
Otherwise, he will just have to go on the “Convenience List” which, after a few days, will allow him 30 days rehab time in the Minors.
@playoffs
If you please, 40 over on J-Mac and 100 under on xbh.
Thanks!
Tabata still has an option left
Well playoffs I should give up and just say i will bet the same as rjay3 with 100 units the rest of the season but that is no fun. So I will take 100 on the under for line 1 and 50 on the over for line 2. Thanks.
The definition that I found on option years.
“Once a player has been placed on a team’s 40-man roster, a team has 3 option years on that player.
A player is considered to have used one of those three option years when he spends at least 20 days in the minors in any of those 3 seasons.”
Without taking the 4th option year in account.
Wait…as I read that, he may be out of options. When did he come to the Pirates??
Playoffs, it is almost an every time occurance, that when I see your very imaginative lines, a smile comes on my face. I think “where does he get that stuff”?
I am compelled to go OVER on both. Not because I’m going to win, but because I want it to happen. That’s the ‘Wheaties fan’ in me speaking!
Playoffs – For 25 each
(in my beat dr evil coice)One millions credits …..would you believe 100 cubits on each bet(in my best maxwell smart voice)
@ Groat2Maz2Strangeglove comment #33
Now you are starting to drink my Kool-Aid about Tabata. At least he is not in the lineup tonight, thank God!!!
Tabata’s success in 2010 has been neutered by good scouting and a game plan to pitch to him, which often, no ususally, no ALWAYS occurs at the major league level unless Tabata, in this case, would have learned a little bit – which seemingly he hasn’t – to fend off the revised approach to pitch to him.
His very questionable, uninspired hustle is also a problem, plus I suppose that new contract which has handcuffed CH to some extent.
Do you honestly believe it took 1000 at bats for them to figure out how to pitch to him. Maybe Colorado should have given up on Troy Tolowinsky after a bad third season. I bet his stats this year are not much worse then cutch post all star break last year. They signed tabata to a 6 year contract they are not going to give up on him because of a 2 month slump.
@Playoffs
Line #1 – 75 Over
Line #2 – 25 Over
Thank you.
@playoffs – love the idea of two lines on Thursday -
I will go line 1 – over for 75
Line 2 – under for 75
You might want to consider an exacta sometime – these will both be close tonight.
Let’s go Bucs!
Concerning Tabata, where does obvious lack of effort enter the argument ?
Playoffs–I had 50 on the Over last night and you deducted 50 points from my total. Sorry for the quick post. Thanks
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I do believe that tonight’s starting lineup is the 1st in a long, long time, maybe all year, where everyone is over the Mendoza line!
@ Playoffs
Line 1 – 50 on the under
Line 2 – 50 on the over
@ Milo Hamilton (aka my successor in 1976) #51
@ bob hasis #47
@ Nate83 #48
Gents:
I am not saying to give up on Tabata and put him on the scrap heap. He needs some tough love, a wake up call etc. He is just so unproductive offensively – if Clemente, Stargell, Oliver and the rest of that group was still around, we could hide Tabata’s weaknesses pretty well. But that is not the case and it makes his 2012 offensive shortcomings stand out like a sore thumb!!!
Yes, Tabata has 1 option left
@Playoffs -
50 on the OVER for the K’s.
70 on the UNDER for the extra base hits.
Thanks, JAL!!
I in NO WAY am in favor of cutting Tabata loose.
However, with ability comes responsibility!! I remember an extremely famous baseball strategist who declared, “No more scholarships!!”
I’ll repeat——I would give Tabata 2 more weeks, until the All Star Break, to turn it around. It’s not 2 months gone, it is already 40 % of the season, and the All Star break will take Bucs to 1/2 through the season. If no significant improvement, then it’s off to Indy until Tabata can find that improvement.
According to DK’s article, his confidence is shot. Let him regain his confidence and his stroke at AAA; then come back a new/renewed player for the stretch drive.
Are we saving that option for some special reason? Use it to make Tabata better——NOW!
Few things in all of sports are more enjoyable than watching a pitcher throw a well executed curve ball.
J-Mac with a quick opening inning of work, good sign.
…except perhaps a triple by a speed demon!
And Jones stings a ball to second to drive in Cutch…early Bucco lead!
I don’t think Barmes has the arm to make that play.
Text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 if you want to make a $10 donation to flood victim relief for folks in NE Minnesota (Duluth area)
I’ve fished in that area many times. Beautiful part of the world.
trib reporting Stall turned down a 10 yr offer from Pens.
Not sure if anyone has looked down at State College tonight, but Luis Heredia has gone through 2 innings with 2 walks, 2 strikeouts and no walks. Looks like he is handling Williamsport pretty well.
I mean, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts, and no HITS and not no walks.
Grand Slam time?
Neil Walker has 16 extra base hits this year. Clint Barmes has 14 in 49 fewer at bats.
@ Milo – have to agree no way Barmes makes that play, JHay keeps that up maybe the concern of playing him at SS some more dissipates.
A bases clearing double will do nicely…
Mr. Do it All Cutch with a bases clearing double and the Bucs opening this game up early.
Love those 2 out runs 4-0 Bucs after 2
To quote Dejan–Cutch is good
Whoa! Cutch & JMac 4, Twins 0 after 2. I like it!
@JRay
This is Harrison’s 13th start at SS – 1 error. I’m not suggesting a starting role here, but he’s certainly answered any questions about his ability to backup there.
Pen’s president David Morehouse being interviewed on TV – trying to act happy. I’m not buying it.
People like to despise agents but it must be a good feeling to know someone has your back to the point of saying “Thanks but no thanks” to a 10 year contract. Serious cajones.
@Milo #63
. . . .and I don’t think Tabata hustles into second on the ball hit by Walker to short. Hence, force out, and Cutch doesn’t bat.
Blass made a great point; where was the dugout help on the ball dropped by Barajas. The same thing occured the other night with The Fort – no help or direction from anyone in the dugout. Both instances occured right where CH was perched.
How do the Twins rank as a hitting team? Anyone know? I’m trying to calibrate JMac’s performance.
Anyone notice that, according to the Pirates’ homepage, some dude named John McDonald is the starting pitcher tonight? Wow.
That one’s on me.
@aglebagel
Ha. Maybe the Pirates are about to acquire John McDonald to be a backup infielder.
Good Officer:
Twins batting .256 7th in the AL 14th in the Majors
From the Pirate’s Facebook page…
17-year-old Luis Heredia makes his State College Spikes debut and throws 4.0 shutout innings allowing just 1H & striking out 4. He threw 48 pitches 30 for strikes.
Heredia pitches four innings tonight, giving up one single and two walks. Spikes ahead of Crosscutters 7-0 middle of the fifth.
Pirates really didn’t hit Hendricks that well, 3 unearned run due to an error.
I just checked, there is no rule against scoring some more runs.
Bad teams do stupid things. JMAC gets out of the sixth 4-1 Bucs
Milo
You missed the special rules section–Bud issued a rule that Pirates are only allowed to score more than 4 runs 10 games in a season
Oops, and they used one of those 10
@Arriba,
the window apologizes for the mistake. Your total is now correct.
Boy has it been fun to watch J-Mac develop into a top of the rotation guy right before out eyes.
Jones hits a birthday homer and Cutch has single, double, and triple but unlikely to get another at bat.
Pedro blasts one out of the park
This is winning baseball…. could it be happening?
Bombs away in Pittsburgh PA. Holy Toledo.
WOW! Was that a cannon ball hit by Pedro tonight. It would have been great if it landed in the Allegheny on the fly.
This game is doing wonders for the Runs For/Against rate. Maybe now ESPN will predict their playoff chances a little higher.
If the game ends now, the run difference will be -10. Amazing considering where the offense was earlier this year and having so little. And now scoring another 9 spot in 3 out of the last 5 games. There seems to be something special taking place on Federal Street this year.
Games like this evenings are just pure joy to watch, great pitching, big hits, and cruising to a win….let’s go bucs!
Here’s my complaint of the night: The radio side is missing the first pitch of most half innings, sometimes two.
That is all.
A complete game
Great win tonight by the Bucs. Great pitching job by J-Mac! Raise the jolly roger and send Minnesota packing. Bring on Detroit for the weekend. Let’s go Bucs.
Behind a 121 pitch complete game effort from J-Mac and three Bucco blasts by Barajas, Jones and Alvarez the Pirates pound the Twins 9-1 to take the series and there was noooooooo doubt about it.
The Pirates move to within 2 games of the Reds in the Central and continue the home stand tomorrow when they begin a three game set with the Tigers.
Go Bucs!
Sufferin’ catfish, Possum! We had ‘em all the way!!!
Perfect game. Win another series. Good offense. Get a CG and save the bullpen during the 20 in 20 stretch.
….fear the Bones….
The Gunner > Milo Hamilton.
@ Milo Hamilton # 108
Yes I am, ol’ buddy!!
Been sitting here for the better part of the last hour trying to figure out tonight’s Staal developments DON’T say, “Trade me to Carolina”.
Excellent game tonight….Good news from the minors lately….another series taken….keep plugging away boys………….
The window doesn’t say this often, but that was damn pretty game to watch. J-Mac only puts up 5 K’s and the UNDER wins, but really that doesn’t matter when you can throw a Complete Game. The Buccos put up 5 Extra Base Hits and the OVER wins that one. Thank you to everyone who played. See you tomorrow for THREE PLAY FRIDAY!!
CURRENT PARTICIPANT TOTALS
JRay3 ** 765
Slack Boss ** 685
Nate83 ** 490
Mlrgenuine ** 425
radio wave ** 420
JMB ** 350
Ryan (Nor-Cal Stlrfanrc) ** 350
pattonbb ** 350
Steve J Smith ** 250
JaxBuc ** 245
cosmo ** 230
DemonDachshund ** 210
dcpinpgh ** 200
Evan ** 183
Officer Mancuso ** 180
Chico ** 175
bman ** 170
JohninOshkosh ** 150
jeffsbar ** 150
likeabugonarug ** 120
MarkV ** 100
Milo Hamilton ** 50
Sir Lochsby ** 50
cmat0829 ** 50
OZ ** 25
Hal Smith ** 20
crkkid ** EVEN
lawnbeaver ** EVEN
NMR ** EVEN
Stuart ** -25
stuart66 ** -30
manny_sanguine ** -50
JD ** -50
Boise Bucco ** -50
JUCOfan ** -50
RobertoForever ** -60
tmp444 ** -70
Kevin ** -75
buggee ** -100
Mike C. ** -100
bob hasis ** -100
Bizrow ** -230
Arriba Wilver ** -230
GlassHalfFull ** -305
TDB1977 ** -840