Being a baseball purist, I originally hated the idea of this one game post season game for the Wild Card spot. Of course, being a baseball purist, I originally hated the actual idea of a Wild Card Game in baseball. I now have to admit, I was wrong. These games are a great and exciting way to enter the Post Season. (And that's what it's called kids, the Post Season. I know that the heretics who write for ESPN and SI now label it " Playoffs", but I encourage you not to follow their bad example.) Last nights AL Wild Card game pitting Oakland against Kansas City was thrilling. Last years NL Wild Card game between our Buccos and Cincinnati was epic. Watching the Bucs beat Cueto was euphoric. This Wild Card idea was a good idea, which leads to tonight's NL Wild Card Game, Giants at Pirates.
On Sunday, Hurdle received a lot of grief for starting Cole against the Reds. Many fans thought Cole should have been saved for the Wild Card game. But Hurdle wanted to still try to win the division. The Pirates didn't do it, unfortunately. And after their loss, I did notice something. The Cardinals immediately pulled Wainwright as their starter for their late afternoon game against the Diamondbacks. They were going to use the same strategy as Hurdle, use an ace in the final game to try to win the division.
Hurdle's decision displayed grit. It also displayed something else, faith in Edinson Volquez. Volquez did not start against the Giants this season. Although he did play them a few times in his days with the Padres and Dodgers. He didn't have great numbers against the Giants back then, but that was a different Edinson Volquez. The new Volquez is a Pirates rehab success story, just like Liriano last year, Liriano who outpitched Cueto for the NL Wild Card. Volquez is 13 -7 with a 3.04 ERA this year. He is 9-1 in his last 10 games, and has pitched 18 scoreless innings going into this game. He is on fire, and should get the job done.
To say that I am looking forward to tonight's game is an understatement. I am ecstatic! I believe it will be a great match up. The Giants are starting their lefty ace, Madison Bumgarner. The Pirates hammered him the last time they met, but don't read too much into that stat. Bumgarner is an experienced and lethal pitcher with post season experience. This game will be a good pitching match up. That being said, I believe that with Volquez's pitching, the hot bats of McCutchen, Martin, and Marte, and the fired up fans base in PNC Park, the Pirates will prevail. They won both series against the Giants this year, although the games were close. This game should be one for the ages, and ending with the gift of a trip to Washington on Friday for the Pirates.
Let's Go Bucs!!!
Nice write, Timmy.
Tonight's game is going to be a blast. It will be great to see PNC Park rocking again for the second consecutive year on NL wild card night. I like the team's idea of holding a "blackout". This gives not only the fans, but the entire city much excitement and a rallying call. I'm very much looking forward to the game, too. I don't usually stay up late... but tonight is an exception. This could be another historic evening in the 127 year history of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
LET'S GO BUCS!!!
Matt, you should try and score some tickets for Friday or Saturday If we win!
