TV, radio: Root Sports, WPGB-FM (104.7).
Facts/Reaction: The most recent homestand ended with the Pirates having a 3-3 record with them taking 2 of 3 from the Astros and losing 2 of 3 against the Dodgers with the last game of the series getting canceled last night due to rain. The Pirates really weren't close in either of the last 2 games, getting crushed 10-3 one night and baffled by Hiroki Kuroda the next night in a 2-0 loss. The Pirates are 1 game under .500 and now embark on a strange 3 city, 7 game road trip, with 3 games in Milwaukee, 2 in Washington and 2 in Cincinnati. The Pirates are still pitching extremely well (considering their talent level) and have a 3.64 ERA, 11th best in the majors. However, they continue to hit at a level that is, well ridiculous. The team as a whole is hitting .233 and has scored a total of 135 which both rank 25th in the MLB. This team will not hit this poorly all season, and hopefully the teams hitting arrives at respectable before the pitching comes down off the mountain.
Pitching Probables:
Stats and Matchup: Well the Pirates the Pirates travel to Great Lakes country to take on the hated Milwaukee Brewers. If you want to know my full feelings on the Brewers you can read this. But basically it comes down to one simple fact...I despise them. End of story. With that being said let's keep going, we all know about the Pirates struggles at Miller Park, they are 2-28 in their last 30 games against Milwaukee with both of those wins coming last year in back to back late April games. Currently, the Brewers are 16-21 and sit in 5th place in the NL Central. As far as matchups go the Pirates need to find a way to not let Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder or Rickie Weeks beat them. I know that sounds like a tall task and obviously if those three don't do anything against the Pirates pitchers than the Pirates will most likely have a very successful series. So let's just say they need to stop 2 of the 3. Both Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder have killed the Pirates in the past with Fielder hitting more home runs (22) against the Pirates than any other team while Braun has an OPS of .991 in his career against the PBC. As far as the Pirates go I think that this is the series Pedro Alvarez breaks out. Pedro is a career .308 hitter against the Brewers with 5 HR's and 10 RBI in 10 career starts. Over the last few games he has been both squaring up the ball and driving it to all which to me points to Pedro finally coming around. Let's hope I am right.
Prediction: Obviously there are a ton of reasons why I don't like the Pirates chances this series against the Brewers. For as much as I hate the Brewers, they absolutely own the Pirates in every way, shape and form. You don't beat a team 28 of 30 times at home without just flat out having their number. I don't see why this series will be any different. Braun, Fielder and Weeks will find a way to beat us and more importantly the Pirates will find a way to continue being the Pirates and beat themselves. Overall I think the Pirates can win 1 game in the series and if I had to guess it would probably be game 3. Correia is 5-0 on the road this year and he gives the Pirates their best chance of winning. Best case scenario, the Pirates find a way to win at least once, I know it's not much but in my eyes it would have to be considered a victory.
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