The Pittsburgh Pirates has recently found itself up against some big-name pitchers. The likes of Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta and Zack Greinke in quick succession can provide a challenge for any ball club. The Pirates' offense was found lacking against these stars to say the least.
Zack Greinke went seven-plus innings and, as a result, it is now 18-3. He allowed Neil Walker a home run in the fourth inning. He was also charged with a second run as Starling Marte got an RBI single from reliever Chris Hatcher during the eighth inning.
Coupled with the loss of Jung Ho Kang, the last week for the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team is one of its darkest stretches this year. The Chicago Cubs are now breathing down the Pittsburgh Pirates' collective neck and the lead for home-field advantage in a possible wild card has been reduced to just one game.
Pittsburgh Pirates starter Jeff Locke (8-11) ended up surrendering five runs (four earned) from eight hits. He had four strikeouts and two walks in 6 1/3 innings. His replacement Arquimedes Caminero issued two walks, and then allowed a two-run double by Adrian Gonzalez, increasing the Los Angeles Dodgers' advantage to 6-1.
Andrew Friedman, the Los Angeles Dodgers' new president for baseball operations, and Farhan Zaidi, the Dodgers' new general manager could share a stat-based philosophy, but that does not alter the fact that neither has been with an organization that has been particularly successful.
The way things should be run in the post-season, the only possible way that the Los Angeles Dodgers could meet the Pittsburgh Pirates in the playoffs would be if the team is in the National League Championship Series. This would mean that the Pirates would have to knock off their nemesis, the St. Louis Cardinals.
In other news, I can't wait to hear updates on Montreal's plan of resurrecting baseball in the city.