I don’t know if anyone else followed last year’s Pittsburgh Pirates, but the team only won 62 games.
On Friday night, the 2023 Pittsburgh Pirates matched that win total. With 27 games remaining in the season, the Pirates would have to unleash an epic losing streak to not improve over their 2022 totals. If they play like they’ve played most of the season, they could end up with at least a ten game improvement.
My pre-season projection was 78 wins, which would require a 16-11 finish from this point forward. That seems unlikely, unless they match their April pace of play. It’s more likely that they finish in the low-70 win total, which is still above where Vegas had them in the pre-season lines.
What I like about each and every win going forward is that they provide hope for the future. Every time Mitch Keller shuts down the Cardinals in September, you can dream about the same thing happening in 2024 and beyond. The same when Liover Peguero makes a big play. Or, any of the other rookies on the Major League roster who are performing.
QUICK PIRATES RECAP
PIRATES (62-73) AT Cardinals
Score: Pirates 4, Cardinals 2
Pittsburgh Starter: Mitch Keller, RHP (3.93)
–Line: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K, 1 HR
Player of the Game: Keller
Attendance: 33,842
Notable Performers
- Ji-Hwan Bae, 2B-CF (1-for-5, SB [22])
- Liover Peguero, SS-2B (2-for-3, BB)
- Colin Holderman, RHP (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K)
- Carmen Mlodzinski, RHP (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K)
- Colin Selby, RHP (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K)
- David Bednar, RHP (1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, SV [30])
One Sentence Recap: You can’t lose over 100 games if you win 62, and the Pirates got win 62 thanks to a pinch-hit from Andrew McCutchen that led a three run inning.
DAILY VIDEO RUNDOWN
Andrew McCutchen came up with a key RBI single for the Pirates in the tenth inning.
Cutch in the clutch. pic.twitter.com/teLB76EUdm
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 2, 2023
Liover Peguero showed off his defense in the third inning.
PEGGY'S GOT RANGE pic.twitter.com/Qlc1TyrR9K
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 2, 2023
Paul Skenes pitched two scoreless with three strikeouts on Friday for Altoona.
3 K's in 2 scoreless for Paul Skenes in start number 2 with the @AltoonaCurve pic.twitter.com/xDMk9sTicN
— Young Bucs (@YoungBucsPIT) September 1, 2023
DAILY ROSTER MOVES
- The Pirates selected the contract of Miguel Andujar as rosters expanded for September. Andujar batted .338/.404/.536 with 16 homers in 414 at-bats with Indianapolis.
- Carmen Mlodzinski returned from the 15-day injured list (right elbow soreness) to throw a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.
- Max Kranick’s rehab assignment was ended in his return from Tommy John, and he was optioned to Triple-A.
- To make room on the 40-man roster for Andujar and Kranick, the Pirates designated RHP Yohan Ramirez and OF Cal Mitchell for assignment.
AROUND THE SYSTEM
Pirates Prospect Watch: Paul Skenes Throws Two Shutout Innings
INDIANAPOLIS
Malcom Nunez picked up two hits in his latest game for Indianapolis.
ALTOONA
In addition to Paul Skenes pitching well on Friday, Carter Bins added two hits and a home run.
GREENSBORO
Valentin Linarez was one of the most impressive relievers I saw in Greensboro a few weeks ago. He finished August with a 3.95 ERA in 13.2 innings, and a 24:5 K/BB. Last night he added a shutout inning and two strikeouts to his season.
BRADENTON
The Marauders played a double header, and got strong pitching from Hunter Barco and Wilber Dotel to help them win both games.
ROOKIE LEVELS
The DSL Pirates Gold lost in the championship after an incredible 41-12 season that finished with a 15-game winning streak. For the full system results, check out yesterday’s Prospect Watch.
SONG OF THE DAY
Trip on a zip in the whip as I blip
Out of existence, despite built up resistance
I can see the void waiting for me off in the distance
But I maintain my rise, cause I believe in persistence
Spend half of my cash to knock me off my feet
Give the other half to a guy screaming in the street
Save twenty bucks for the return trip home
Where I’ll hole up for a month, burning like Rome
-Tim Williams, 9/2/2021
