Pirates tied for best record in baseball
The Pirates are playing some of the hottest baseball in Opening Week despite the cold weather and without the services of Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole.
Fans were outraged at Pittsburgh蘑菇视频 front office for trading the face of the franchise in McCutchen, and its ace pitcher in Cole, but the 2018 version of the Pittsburgh Baseball Club is off to a 4-0 start that ties the Washington Nationals for the best record in baseball and has the Bucs leading the National League Central.
Pittsburgh gave the home fans at PNC Park something to cheer about in Monday蘑菇视频 home opener with a 5-4 victory over Minnesota. The Pirates swept a three-game series at Detroit with a 13-10 victory in 13 innings to open the season on Friday before picking up 1-0 and 8-6 triumphs in a Sunday doubleheader due to Saturday蘑菇视频 game being rained out.
Colin Moran, who was one of the players acquired in the Cole trade, started his season Friday at third base, went hitless in six at-bats and made an error, but the 25-year-old redeemed himself in the home opener with a grand slam in his first at-bat.
Moran joins hall of famers Ralph Kiner and Roberto Clemente as the only Pirates to hit grand slams in the home opener. Kiner accomplished the feat in 1949 and Clemente in 1962.
Starting right-handed pitcher Joe Musgrove and right-handed reliever Michael Feliz were also part of the Cole trade that sent the former ace to the World Series Champion Houston Astros.
Cole was strong in his first start with the Astros, but Moran is the future third baseman for the Bucs, Musgrove is penciled in as the fifth starter and Feliz will be a key arm out of the bullpen.
Musgrove is currently on the 10-day disabled list with a right-shoulder strain, but the injury will heal with rest. Lefty Steven Brault, who was brilliant out of the bullpen in the Opening Day over Detroit to earn the win, will start in Musgrove蘑菇视频 place on Thursday against Cincinnati at PNC Park.
The small sample of Moran has shown that the lefty has the swing and power to take advantage of the short porch in right field at PNC Park. Moran demonstrated a great deal of humility and character despite being the hero against the Twins, as his teammates had to push him out of the dugout for a curtain call.
Moran praised reserve infielder David Freese for helping him to transition to a starting role. Freese, who was a World Series hero for St. Louis in 2011, is not used to being a bench player, but will be good for Moran. Despite his success, Freese doesn鈥檛 have an ego, and is a consummate professional. His qualities as a veteran presence in the clubhouse will serve Moran well.
The Pirates still have a formidable outfield with offseason acquisition Corey Dickerson in left field, Starling Marte in center and Gregory Polanco in right.
Dickerson has struggled at the plate early in the season, but Polanco is hitting .385 with one home run and six RBIs, and Marte is ready to redeem himself after being suspended for 80 games last season for PED use. Marte is batting .250 with one homer and four runs scored.
Dickerson doesn鈥檛 have the resume of McCutchen, but is three years younger and was an American League All-Star last season with Tampa Bay. Dickerson hit .282 a year ago with 24 home runs and 76 RBIs, while McCutchen batted .279 with 28 homers and 88 RBIs.
It is very early in the season, but so far it appears the trading of Cole and McCutchen could benefit the Bucs as a team. Both still have a great deal left in the tank, and Cole could become one of the best pitchers in the league, but Pittsburgh has the potential to win the deal in the long term.