THE BULLPEN

     It was a slow day here at the Black-N-Gold newsdesk. Any time it's uneventful, Mrs. Black-N-Gold's wheels start spinning in her head. Your Pittsburgh Pirates are less than 2 weeks away from the start of the regular season. As usual, Mrs. Black-N-Gold is concerned. The Grapefruit League standings show the Buccos at a mediocre 10-8 with a few ties thrown in for good measure. They've hardly played their regular starting lineup yet (although as Mrs. Black-N-Gold types these words, the Pirates were scheduled to start alot of the regulars in Tuesday afternoon's game). Those that have played, haven't looked all that impressive. Which begs the question, "How important is spring training"?

    Andrew McCutchen was penciled into his usual spot of centerfield and third in the batting order. This is the first start for Cutch since March 12. Both the Pirates and Cutch insist he is a go for Opening Day. Apparently, Cutch doesn't need all of spring training to prepare for the regular season. LF Starling Marte took advantage of Cutch's absence by shifting over to center and posting impressive stats. He has a batting line of .395/.410/.605 and an OPS of 1.016. Can we expect Marte to carry the party over into the regular season? Meanwhile, while Cutch is out, fans have been treated to the likes of Wily Garcia, Gorkys Hernandez and Mel Rojas, Jr. Mrs. Black-N-Gold can't help but think it's time to send the scrubs to their respective assignments and get your starters on the field. If they're hurt, as in Cutch's case, fine. Why don't you start players who are actually going to make the trip north with the team and need the work?

     The pitching is a bit harder to gauge. Sometimes you have a hurler on the mound that is just working on his pitches or fine-tuning his delivery. Mrs. Black-N-Gold remembers last spring, RH Edinson Volquez had a horrible exhitibtion season. His ERA ballooned over 9. Yet, there he was, leading the Pirates staff in the regular season, through to his start in the Wildcard Game. Several pitchers, both starters and relievers, that are being counted on to contribute this season are suffering from over-inflated ERAs: AJ Burnett is 6.39, Antonio Bastardo is 7.50, Charlie Morton is 7.71 and Jeff Locke is 9.00. Meanwhile, Arquimedes Caminero, Radhames Liz and Vance Worley are drawing raves.

     It's all quite maddening. Mrs. Black-N-Gold figures every player is different and knows their body better than anyone else. Their comfort levels are different, too. What may work for one player may not for another. Who would have expected C Tony Sanchez to come into camp, tear the cover off the ball at a .440 clip and make the team? He gained valuable playing time while C Chris Stewart has been hampered by a bad hammy.
    
     Then there is the curious case of INF Jung Ho Kang. After signing the Korean import the Pirates declared that he would not be sent to the minors but would start the season on the Major League roster. After having some time off, Kang played yesterday and lowered his spring average to .111. Manager Clint Hurdle is expected to give Kang some extra at bats at Pirate City today while the rest of the team has the day off. Hopefully the extra work will help Kang find his way.

     So there you have it. Everyone takes a different approach to spring training. Some players need to work on things while others might not need to work so hard. While Mrs. Black-N-Gold wishes that the next time she hears the name "Pedro" in reference to spring training, it had better be regarding the Pirates 1B Alvarez and not the light-hitting INF Florimon. I'd rather see Liz pitch than Leesman. But I guess Mrs. Black-N-Gold needs to chill out and wait for the games to matter. Let the games begin! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!