Every time ...

[GiveHyzduashot]

... I leave this team for dead, they start to show some signs of life.

What a frustrating team ... lose 2 out of 3 to Cincinatti, and so far have taken 2 from Houston (tomorrow's matchup against Miller will be tough).

If the bullpen didn't blow the two losses to the Reds ... :banghead

[Chevy706]

Don't look now, but the Pirates are only 6.5 games out of first. Of course, we're still 9 games under .500, but what does that matter?

[PopTop]

... Well, it is difficult to imagine the Brewers climbing into the mix ... But it ain't out of the realm of possibility as poorly as the 'Stros, Cubs and Cards have played this year ... Those were certainly your NL Central front-runners coming into the campaign, and they still have to be considered the "favorites" ... But I surely wouldn't bet much on any of them after watching all of them under-achieve so far.

I predicted 85 wins would be enough to take the NL Central and, for once in my life, it looks like I may be correct ... So along those lines, here's an interesting story I found this morning while scouring the internet looking for any articles or even a glimmer of hope that Houston manager Jimy "Whiny" Williams had been fired! :D



by Bob Smizik @ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/columnists/20030706smizik302sptcol3p3.asp)

No crime in feeling a sliver of optimism

PITTSBURGH - - - Pirates fans, stop your whining. Media experts, cease with your laughable assertions that there's a leadership vacuum in the home clubhouse at PNC Park.

Get your noses out of the negativity and smell the roses.

The much-maligned Pirates -- they of the 10 consecutive losing seasons -- are taking on an air of respectability. Their record is still not pretty. But look at what they've done lately.

Last night, it was a 4-3 win against the Houston Astros, a team with division championship aspirations and the kind the Pirates typically have had trouble beating. It was the second consecutive win against the Astros, but that's not the reason the Pirates are looking so good.

They've won 12 of the past 19, a pace few would have thought possible for this team, particularly since a majority of those games have been against clubs with winning records. Over a longer time frame, the Pirates are 18-17, not the stuff of championships, but when was the last time this team played better than .500 for a 35-game stretch?

Although they're 37-46 overall, based on their recent play they've reached the land of temporary respectability on the strength of good starting pitching and a vastly improved offense.

Jeff Suppan gave the Pirates seven strong innings to get the win and Mike Lincoln and Mike Williams, who got the save, finished. The end was not without the kind of thrills from Williams that no one wants. He gave up a one-out homer and a two-out walk before Richard Hidalgo flied out to end the game.

It's the offense that's making the difference. The Pirates averaged fewer than four runs per game in their first 68 games. Over the past 19 games, however, the Pirates are averaging more than five runs.

"We thought we would score more runs than we did last year," Manager Lloyd McClendon said. "I didn't think we'd score at the pace we scored at in the first five games. But I didn't think we'd hit a stretch like we did right after that. We couldn't hit the side of a barn.

"We're right about where we thought we would be. The guys are feeling good about themselves. They know they can hit. They're feeding off each other."

For the first time in a long time, McClendon can write out a batting order that puts a shred of fear into the heart of the opposing pitcher. They're not the '27 Yankees. They're not even the '03 Cardinals, but they're a more formidable unit than the Pirates have had in some time.

Kenny Lofton starts it off, and even if he has cooled considerably since his remarkable May when he looked like an All-Star again, he still gives the Pirates a professional leadoff hitter. He's a guy who knows his way around the batter's box and the basepaths. His leadoff single last night sparked a three-run first inning.

Jason Kendall has found his niche hitting behind Lofton. He's never going to be the 20-home run, 80-RBI guy some thought when he signed his $60 million contract, but he's back to being a .300 hitter with a National League top-20 on-base percentage of .391. In the Pirates' past 31 games, Kendall is batting .347 (43 for 124).

Brian Giles is resuming his place as one of the most dangerous hitters in the National League. No one, this side of Barry Bonds, knows the strike zone better. He's second to Bonds in the National League in on-base percentage and, after a slow start, beginning to hit with power. His two-run double was the key hit in the first inning. He has 31 RBIs in the past 42 games.

Aramis Ramirez has slowed down since his remarkable stretch in May and June, but he contributed two hits and an RBI last night and there's reason to believe he could become an All-Star-caliber player.

Matt Stairs has gone from major disappointment to the team's most exciting hitter. Though hitless last night, he's still batting .400 in the past 15 games, still has five home runs in his past 22 at-bats and still is batting .387 in the 23 games he has played since returning from the disabled list.

Reggie Sanders also was hitless last night, but he still has five home runs in his past 11 games and gives the team another respected bat in the second-third of the lineup.

Jack Wilson is batting .253, which hardly would seem to make him much of a threat at the bottom of the lineup. But check this: Wilson is 10th in the National League in batting average with runners in scoring position at .338.

Jeff Reboulet's recall to be a reserve infielder when Pokey Reese was injured was considered somewhat of a joke. But Reboulet, 39, has gone from substitute to starter and brings a surprising bat and a highly professional approach to all phases of the game. He's batting .342 with runners on base.

Can this continue? Can the Pirates make a run in this division doesn't seem to have an elite team?

The answer is probably not, but that doesn't mean this run of success shouldn't be enjoyed while it lasts.

[BPBlueSox]

Thanks for posting that, Willie...

As for the Pirates and being only 6 and a half back...I would like to get hopeful for this team.

If we beat the Stros today, I'd feel a bit better...

Plus we got a ton of games vs. Milwaukee coming up. If we win a majority of those games...that would be beneficial.

I'm sure none of this will happen, though.

I'm sure we'll lose today...play .500 ball vs. Milwaukee...and be about ten back soon enough...

But being 6 and a half out is encouraging! :D

[GiveHyzduashot]

I agree with most of your post, Dan.

I'd love to be the one with the rose colored glasses and see only the good ... but 10 years of losing keeps me a realist, and I can't see the Pirates making a run when Chicago, Houston, and St. Louis are much more formidable.

Win today would be huge, and would easily make up for blowing the Reds series. Hopefully Mac doesn't mail this one in and give everyone a rest.

[BPBlueSox]

Well, what do you know...we swept the Astros.:clap2:

[GiveHyzduashot]

<img src=http://www.addictsports.com/baseball/attachment.php?s=&postid=113930></img>

[Baseball Guru]

Originally posted by Chevy706
Don't look now, but the Pirates are only 6.5 games out of first. Of course, we're still 9 games under .500, but what does that matter?


Doesnt matter at all!!!

First is first, no matter the record...

Great job by the Pirates for hanging in there thus far....

I personally think that the Cards will end up winning it but for now, it is anyones division....

[Baseball Guru]

Originally posted by GiveHyzduashot
<img src=http://www.addictsports.com/baseball/attachment.php?s=&postid=113930></img>


WOW!!!:eek:


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