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Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Our Guy is Good Too

The Pirates and Cubs are set to square off tonight with both teams able to throw their best arms. Most of the build up for this game is centered around how Jake Arrieta has been lights out since the All Star break and that the Pirates have an uphill battle. The Pirates have already faced Arrieta a couple times in the past month and he was dominant. It is not the most pleasant scenario to be in, but this makes the third time we've played the Wild Card game in three years. I don't put much stock in playoff experience, but the facing a great pitcher in a one and done scenario is nothing new. We faced Johnny Cueto and Madison Bumgarner the last two seasons. If you like narrative, Cueto owned us his whole career and we were able to find a way.

As a Pirate fan my main hope is that our offense can put enough pressure on Arrieta to force Joe Maddon into tough decisions like I posed here. Most people commented that they would let the pitcher hit in these high leverage situations, but the Pirates and the Cubs are two of the more forward thinking teams out there. Plus, Joe Maddon has a tendency to do some outside the box type of moves. He once used 9 pitchers in a playoff game.

The other side of the coin is that Gerrit Cole is pitching for the Pirates and he is really good. While he is a notch below the big three of Kershaw, Grienke and Arrieta he is right there with the next wave. The Pirates got stuck having to pitch Cole before the wild card last year, but this year it was planned out that no matter what he will be available. I'm guessing the Cubs might be a small favorite, but essentially it will probably play as a coin flip.

My prediction is that one of the managers will be forced to remove their starter much earlier than expected to take advantage of a good offensive situation. Hopefully it is the Cubs! If we can get Arrieta out of the game in the 5th or 6th I like our chances.

2014 Topps Tribute Gerrit Cole Jersey /10

Surprisingly Cole cards haven't really taken off the way I thought they would. Whatever the reason it has allowed me to pick up some nice cards for low prices. This card cost around $10 shipped.

Let's Go Bucs

24 comments:

  1. Trust me, I'm worried about the Cubs offense vs. Cole. They have a tendency to go through anemic stretches and they weren't exactly blowing out teams in the last week; of course, Cole really doesn't help. It's gonna be a helluva game though!

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    1. I don't think I've ever been more more anxious about a game. When we played the Reds it was pure excitement that we ended the streak. Last year expectations fell because we had to pitch Edison Volquez in the Wild Card game against Bumgarner.

      This year is the perfect storm. Both teams get to throw their best pitchers and only one player of any significance will be out (Kang). It is the ultimate coin flip game.

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  2. Should be a good one! Best of luck to both teams, they'll need it!

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    1. If the game is anything like the build up we should be in for a good one.

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  3. I'm just as nervous on the other side of the fence. Should be a great game. Good luck!

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    1. It is too bad we couldn't play a full series. The two teams are just about as evenly matched as teams can be. I hope whomever wins beats the hell out of the Cardinals.

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    2. I second beating the Cardinals - I don't really have a horse in the race in the NL, I'm just tired of seeing the Cardinals in the playoffs every year...

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    3. The Cardinals devil magic has to stop!

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    4. This all of this the way I see it, Coles pitched in the playoffs before Arietta hasn't like you said coin flip. Go Piratessssss

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    5. That is what makes this game so fun.....no matter how much you dig it pretty much stays a coin flip. The Cubs might have a small edge because Arrieta has been unhittable the whole second half, but in a one game scenario you throw everything out.

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    6. Yeah, I kinds of like the coin flip game, but almost wish it was a best of 3 series. Then each team could at least have a home game.
      Tonight's going to be a bunch of fun! No matter the outcome I hope we see some other team than St. Louis in the NLCS. It's time for some new NL blood to make it to the WS.

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    7. Please beat St. Louis! Tough way to end the season.... :(

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    8. If the Cubs want to win the WS, they'd better do it this year because the Giants will win te WS in 2016 and the Astros will win in 2017 and the Giants again will win in 2018. There won't be another chance for any team until 2019!

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    9. hahaha. Plus you have to fit the Cardinals in there too.

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  4. You already know that my heart is riding the Cubby bandwagon... but if the Pirates manage to win... I'll be pulling for the Pirates the rest of the way. Best of luck buddy!

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    1. NOOOO!!!!! Don't root for the Cubs. If they win they lose their identity. They need to lose in the most soul crushing fashion to keep the lovable loser identity. If they go all the way, they become the Red Sox.

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    2. But... I'm one of those guys who will move on to the next underdog. Plus... I want to see the Back to the Future prediction (sort of) come true.

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  5. Which inning would you pinch hit for Cole, again? Do you know who's available in the pen tonight?

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    1. They have Liriano available if they need length. If we have the lead it is a mute point, but if we are down a couple of runs as early as the 4th and have a good scoring opportunity with his spot in the order coming up I'm pinch hitting. The last thing we should care about is hurting Cole's feelings. Have to take every chance to score runs against Arrieta.

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  6. Go MLB executives making boatloads of extra money off of this gimmick!

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    1. The playoffs are a crapshoot no matter what. Gimmick or not it is the hand we are dealt.

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    2. Sean Rodriguez man. That guy looks like a real Pirate for reals!

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    3. He is kind of a cross of Serpico and Razor Ramon.

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