Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2011 10:07:36 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]Pittsburgh Pirates (29-28) @ San Francisco Giants (26-31)[/shadow]
PIT: Jameson Tailon (3-4, 4.40)
SF: Daniel McCutchen (3-4, 3.71)
It's been a rough season for each team appearing in tonight's Game of the Week. The Pirates were expected to be in the thick of the NL Central hunt, but an injury to Matt Cain, and ineffectiveness from the rest of the staff, leaves the Pirates six games back of the Cubs with three other teams bunched up for second place.
Even young phenom Jameson Tailon hasn't pitched up to snuff, allowing four runs or more in four of his last six starts. Scouts say he has trouble locating his fastball in the strikezone and as a result has given up 11 home runs, one more than how many he gave up in all of 2013.
Fortunately for Pittsburgh, the Pirates have smashed the ball all season long. Former Giant Pablo Sandoval leads the majors in batting average at .371, and Alberto Gonzalez has been terrific, hitting .352 in 108 at bats.
They've also gotten great mileage out of their late inning relief. Hitters are hitting .205 off John Rucker, and .204 off Michael Dunn, while Augusto Gomez has 12 saves and a 1.59 ERA. If Tailon can settle in and let the offense do its work, the Pirates will be in great shape. They're 22-1 when leading after 7 innings.
San Francisco will try to get to Tailon early, but the lineup has trouble hitting for power and is last in home runs. Ebert Rosario was supposed to supply the power, but he's hitting only .242 and has been dropped to eighth in the lineup. While the Giants are benefiting from former Pirates superstar Andrew McCutchen leading off, the team still has problems producing runs.
The hope is that Jason Kubel can make better contact and drive in more runs, as he has only 18 RBIs in 180 at bats. Still, its the same old problem with the offense in San Francisco.
Questions for the GM's.
For Shane Callahan, Tailon is going through a sophomore slump after a tantalizing rookie campaign. What has been the biggest reason for this season's drop off?
You've gotten great mileage out of your late-inning relievers, particularly Michael Dunn. After struggling in the White Sox organization, he's really turned a new leaf with the Pirates. What has been the cause of his success?
Finally, the Pirates have been able to withstand the injury to Matt Wieters because Alberto Gonzalez and especially Pablo Sandoval have been so good. Is Sandoval the MVP right now?
For Robert Nichols, it's been the same story year after year. How do you get more offense in San Francisco?
Tonight's starter Daniel McCutchen will make his first ever start against hid former team. Do you expect any nerves? What kind of results do you see from him?
Finally, Ebert Rosario was last season's breakout player. This year, he's batting eighth. What's the reasoning behind batting such a talented player so far down in the order?
PIT: Jameson Tailon (3-4, 4.40)
SF: Daniel McCutchen (3-4, 3.71)
It's been a rough season for each team appearing in tonight's Game of the Week. The Pirates were expected to be in the thick of the NL Central hunt, but an injury to Matt Cain, and ineffectiveness from the rest of the staff, leaves the Pirates six games back of the Cubs with three other teams bunched up for second place.
Even young phenom Jameson Tailon hasn't pitched up to snuff, allowing four runs or more in four of his last six starts. Scouts say he has trouble locating his fastball in the strikezone and as a result has given up 11 home runs, one more than how many he gave up in all of 2013.
Fortunately for Pittsburgh, the Pirates have smashed the ball all season long. Former Giant Pablo Sandoval leads the majors in batting average at .371, and Alberto Gonzalez has been terrific, hitting .352 in 108 at bats.
They've also gotten great mileage out of their late inning relief. Hitters are hitting .205 off John Rucker, and .204 off Michael Dunn, while Augusto Gomez has 12 saves and a 1.59 ERA. If Tailon can settle in and let the offense do its work, the Pirates will be in great shape. They're 22-1 when leading after 7 innings.
San Francisco will try to get to Tailon early, but the lineup has trouble hitting for power and is last in home runs. Ebert Rosario was supposed to supply the power, but he's hitting only .242 and has been dropped to eighth in the lineup. While the Giants are benefiting from former Pirates superstar Andrew McCutchen leading off, the team still has problems producing runs.
The hope is that Jason Kubel can make better contact and drive in more runs, as he has only 18 RBIs in 180 at bats. Still, its the same old problem with the offense in San Francisco.
Questions for the GM's.
For Shane Callahan, Tailon is going through a sophomore slump after a tantalizing rookie campaign. What has been the biggest reason for this season's drop off?
You've gotten great mileage out of your late-inning relievers, particularly Michael Dunn. After struggling in the White Sox organization, he's really turned a new leaf with the Pirates. What has been the cause of his success?
Finally, the Pirates have been able to withstand the injury to Matt Wieters because Alberto Gonzalez and especially Pablo Sandoval have been so good. Is Sandoval the MVP right now?
For Robert Nichols, it's been the same story year after year. How do you get more offense in San Francisco?
Tonight's starter Daniel McCutchen will make his first ever start against hid former team. Do you expect any nerves? What kind of results do you see from him?
Finally, Ebert Rosario was last season's breakout player. This year, he's batting eighth. What's the reasoning behind batting such a talented player so far down in the order?