With Exhibition Games Over How Do Pirates Recover From Three Losses?
The Pittsburgh Pirates ended a disappointing exhibition schedule on Wednesday night when they fell to the Cleveland Indians 5-3. It ended what has been a dismal exhibition season as they combined to go just 3-18 in their 21 games combined between Spring Training 1.0 and 2.0. While they say record doesn't matter in Spring Training games, winning only 14% of the games you play is cause for concern. There have been plenty of negatives throughout the process, but some players have shown promise in the short span of games the team got to play. However, all of that is forgotten as every team starts fresh at 0-0 tomorrow as the 60-game sprint to the playoffs begins.
While the Pirates aren't one of the team's being talked about as playoff contenders, they still have some strong pieces to at least be able to contend in a tough National League Central. However, to be one of those contending teams, there are some things that need to go right. Tonight, we look at the three things the Pittsburgh Pirates must do to be a competitive team in 2020. It will be a year of development for a lot of young guys on the team, anything can happen. A team could catch fire at any time and it could completely change the dynamic of the National League Central race.
The Bullpen has to Get on Track
One of the weakest links for the Pirates, especially in these three exhibition games, was the bullpen. In-game one, the bullpen was unable to hold a lead, and in the last two games did not allow the Pirates to get back into the ball game. Against the Indians, the bullpen pitched to a dismal 11.47 ERA, and as a unit did not look good. The worst performance was by the man who was supposed to serve as the closer, Kyle Crick. In the first exhibition game, Crick lasted 0.1 innings and gave up four earned runs and came back to allow a run in an inning of work tonight. While I don't expect these numbers from Crick all year long, they are a little alarming early in the season.
However, there have been some positives in the bullpen over the spring that they look to carry into the regular season. Nick Burdi has been one of the guys who put up a big showing. He posted an overall ERA of 3.18 and was regularly hitting 99 mph with his fastball. After coming off of neurogenic Thoracic Surgery, there were questions as to whether or not he would be back to where he was before the injury. Burdi had a long and winding road to the Major Leagues, and now his comeback is going to be even bumpier. He is the second candidate for the Pirates closers role and might end up beating out Crick before seasons end.
Overall, the Pirates are going to try several different conditions in their bullpen throughout the year to see what pieces fit. Guys like Michael Feliz, Richard Rodriguez, and Clay Holmes among others are going to be expected to step up. It's a mix of returners and new pitchers with guys like Nik Turley and Robbie Erlin putting in work this year. The starting pitchers can only take the team so far, but it is going to be up to the bullpens to hold leads and get the Pirates wins this year, which will be more valuable than ever.
Who is Going to be the Ace
Speaking of the starting pitchers, the group is going to need a leader with several of their aces out for the year due to injury. Jameson Taillon and Chris Archer are both out for the year due to injuries, which makes Joe Musgrove the team's ace. Musgrove brings a fire and passion to the top of the rotation, however, he is going to need some help if the Pirates are going to be successful. There are several candidates in the starting staff to have a breakout year, but they have to be able to turn around from rough 2019 seasons. The one who has shown dominant ability in the past is Trevor Williams and the up and coming rookie is Mitch Keller.
Williams had one of the best endings to a season not only in his career but in organization history in 2018. After the All-Star break, he became the 22nd pitcher in Pirates history to have a sub-two ERA after the All-Star break. He came back in 2019 and was on track for a similarly strong season posting a 3.33 ERA through the middle of May, However, he would get derailed by a side injury that forced him to miss almost a full month of the season. When he came back, he wasn't anything like he was before the injury. He never had an ERA below the 5.88 mark in any month that season and he would finish the year just 7-9 with a 5.38 ERA. He is looking for a return to his 2018 numbers as he looks ahead to 2020.
As for Mitch Keller, his 2019 season was not what the team expected out of their number one prospect. He made his Major League debut against the Cincinnati Reds on May 26th, serving as a spot starter in game two of a doubleheader. His first inning was miserable, as he gave up six earned runs, but he turned it around allowing just one hit the rest of the way. He didn't get much better and ended the season with a 7.13 ERA over 11 starts. He struck out 65 batters over 48 innings of work and showed glimpses of greatness, but the question is whether he can put it all together. If one or both of these pitchers can put it all together in 2020, the Pirates could have a lethal starting rotation.
Who Provides Power Behind Josh Bell?
Looking up and down the Pirates lineup, there is really only one name that stands out as a true power threat. Josh Bell hit 37 home runs last season and can change the game with just one swing of the bat. However, other teams are going to begin recognizing that and start pitching around the slugger. After Bell, the Pirates have a serious question as to who is going to be the next guy up to hit one over the wall when the team needs it. There have been several players who have shown decent power, but nobody besides Bell has stood out as that big power threat. So who can the Pirates rely on behind Bell?
One of the newcomers to the team who could bring the pop is Phillip Evans. Evans signed as a Minor League Free Agent from the New York Mets organization and has burst onto the scene during Spring Training 2.0. He appeared in all three games at both third base and first base so far and went 2-7 with two runs scored. One of those two hits was a massive 410 foot shot to left field that gave the Pirates a 2-0 lead in the second game. Evans has shown good power numbers throughout his Minor League career, hitting double-digit home runs in each of the last three seasons. He has not hit his first Major League home run yet in 24 games played, but he could be someone to watch in the Pirates lineup.
Another guy who sticks out as a possible power threat is Colin Moran. When Moran came over in the Gerrit Cole trade, it was said that he had a lot of power to offer. Looking ahead two years, and he has only hit 26 home runs in two seasons and hasn't really shown that home run potential. What he has shown, however, is the ability to use the gaps at PNC Park. He had his first 30 double season last year and finished top five in the team in that category. He was also second on the team hitting .316 with runners in scoring position. If he could tap into that homerun power, Moran could boost his stock this season. He is going to get some chances at DH for the team and that will allow him to focus on hitting rather than worrying about the glove as well.
These questions and more will be answered with the 2020 season set to kick off tomorrow for Pittsburgh. They will head to Busch Stadium in St. Louis where they will take on the Cardinals at 8:15 pm for the first of a three-game series. Joe Musgrove (0-0) will take the hill for the Pirates opposed by Jack Flaherty (0-0) for the Cardinals. You can watch the game on AT&T Sportsnet or listen at 93.7 the Fan. Baseball is back, and no matter how the season goes we as ready for some Pirates baseball.
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