THE BULLPEN

   Hey batter, batter, batter, batter! Your Pittsburgh Pirates continue their series with the New York Mets at PNC Park today. These are your keys for today's game. 1)Todays game is another terrific pitching match-up. We have Gotham's Superman, RH Matt Harvey, 5-1, 1.98 ERA going toe-to-toe with Pittsburgh's Batman, RH AJ Burnett, 3-1, 1.38 ERA. Harvey hasn't surrendered a run in 16 innings. AJ is having a season for the ages, giving up just 8 earned runs in 8 starts this season. The Dark Knight returns! 2)Last night the Bucs found the win column and raised the Jolly Roger. They defeated the Mets 4-1, and boy, that game had everything. It featured an outstanding pitching performance from Gerrit Cole as he scattered 6 hits, giving up just one run, over 8 1/3 innings, striking out 10 batters. The Pirates defense was in the house, they turned not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 double plays. And the Bucco bats awoke from their slumber with some timely hitting. It was a complete team victory and the Pirates need more games like this. They've won 4 of AJ's last 5 starts. We want more, Hit, Run, & Score! 3)NL Central-leading St Louie has dropped 2 straight. The Pirates leap-frogged Cincy last night for sole possession of 3rd place, 7 1/2 games back. Now is the time to make a move and attack! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!