THE BULLPEN

     Happy Bucs & Pucks Day! Let's play two! Our Pittsburgh Pirates open a 3-game set this afternoon in Chicago as they clash with the World Champion-Cubs. These are your keys for today's game. 1)The Pirates week of ineptitude continued with yesterday's latest loss, 4-3 in Boston. That's 4 consecutive losses. So far, the 2017 Bucs are reminding Mrs. Black-N-Gold of the woeful teams of the dreaded 20 straight losing seasons, finding new and innovative ways to lose. That just won't do. Instead of raising the white flag, it's time to raise the Jolly Roger! 2)You name an aspect of the game, the Pirates will find a way to falter: Hitting, baserunning, fielding, pitching. It's enough to make Mrs. Black-N-Gold think that she was being a little too generous when she predicated 73 wins for this team. She'd love nothing more than to see them prove her wrong. Clean it up, Bucs! 3)Pirates RH Gerrit Cole, 0-1, 6.55 ERA will face Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks, 1-0, 6.00 ERA. Get on the winning track, Cole Train! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!