THE BULLPEN

     Happy Bucs & Pucks Day! Let's play two! Our Pittsburgh Pirates close out their homestand with a matinee vs the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. Before Mrs. Black-N-Gold gives you her keys for today's game, she'd like to review last night's crushing 7-1 loss to the Cubs since she was in attendance. A 7-1 loss? Actually there were some good things about this game. 1)Mrs. Black-N-Gold and Brother Black-N-Gold had excellent seats in section 127(on a BOGO deal, no less). 2)There didn't seem to be many Woo Birds out last night. 3)The Pirates made no errors. 4)Cubs RH Jake Arrieta didn't no-hit them. 5)Parking at Rivers Casino is free (and we got our exercise waking to and fro). Now, on to business.
     These are your keys for today's game. 1)Last night, Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen chased a ball towards the notch that ended up bouncing off of Cutch's glove. The official scorer scored it as a hit but considering it hit off of Cutch's glove, Mrs. Black-N-Gold wondered if it should have been an error. This isn't the first time this week the "Outfield of Dreams" has looked like a nightmare. In her season preview, Mrs. Black-N-Gold said that this team needed it's outfield of Cutch, LF Starling Marte and RF Gregory Polanco to lead the way. Well, Cutch has mostly been stuck in an early-season slump and Marte and Polanco, although batting in the .300-range, have been prone to mental miscues. It's time for the Outfield of Dreams to wake up. Dream on! 2)Following last night's loss, the Bucs have lost 3 straight. In the 2 they've dropped to the Cubs, they've only scored 3 runs. We need more Hit, Run & Score! 3)The Cubs start LH Jon Lester, 2-1, 1.83 ERA. The Buccos go with RH Juan Nicasio, 3-2, 3.33 ERA. Put Juan in the win column! If the Pirates want to be taken seriously as contenders, they need to contend with the big boys. Otherwise, they're destined to eat at the kiddie table. My, this Kool-Aid is tasting a little bitter this morning.  Let's Go Bucs!!!!!