Watch out for the Bucs!

If I were to judge the Pirates based solely on the just completed three game series against the Giants, I would have to consider them a playoff caliber team. Impressive hitting (one huge offensive game, one with just enough, and one come-from-behind win with some nifty clutch work), solid starting pitching (Duke pitched very well up to the eighth, Dumatrait was fantastic, and Maholm was decent, save one bad inning), and exceptional defense (no errors *, a handful of double plays, and some highlight reel catches). Unfortunately, this series may have been the exception to the rule. But I’m very glad that I was able to watch a dominant three game sweep by my Bucs.

In the larger scheme, there were certainly some specific positives to take from the series:

Two struggling key players starting to come around: Freddy Sanchez, now hitting from the leadoff spot, had seven hits in the series. Adam LaRoche, always a slow starter, had a couple big hits, including a home run and the go ahead RBI single on Thursday. I’m very encouraged by the fact that the Pirates offense has been fairly decent this year despite Sanchez and LaRoche struggling, along with Jose Bautista and whoever is playing shortstop. I realize that Nate McLouth will not hit 50 home runs this year and Xavier Nady will not drive in 162 runs, but even if those two come back to earth a bit, we’ve got Sanchez and LaRoche waiting to take their place. Barring injury or trade, the Pirates could easily finish in the middle of the pack this season in most offensive categories. I know that doesn’t sound very impressive, but for this team it is.

The backend of the rotation improves: Zach Duke, who is very crucial to the starting rotation being better than average, had his second consecutive strong start on Tuesday. Granted, the opponents for these two games were Washington and San Francisco, but the fact that he did pitch well against anyone is good enough for me. And Phil Dumatrait, who pitched three fine innings against Washington last week before a power outage caused a delay, followed that up with a terrific 5 2/3 on Wednesday against the Giants. Dumatrait nearly pitched 6 scoreless innings in that start, which I believe gives him more scoreless innings pitched than Matt Morris this year (I just made up that stat, but seriously, it might be true). If Duke and Dumatrait are capable of this, at least on occasion, it takes a lot of pressure off Ian Snell and Tom Gorzelanny. And those two could probably use that to help them get back on track.

The bench improves: I love Nyjer Morgan. He seems like a great person and he plays very hard. But languishing on the bench and starting once every three weeks is no way for him to develop as a ballplayer. Now he has the chance to play regularly, I assume in left field with our lord and savior Andrew McCutchen in center, for the AAA team. So to fill the roster spot, the Pirates acquired Jason Michaels from the Indians. Michaels is a veteran who can play anywhere in the outfield (center may be questionable however) and can provide a more imposing bat off the bench. Since Nate McLouth is superhuman, most of Michaels starts should be in left or right field, as Jason Bay and Nady will surely need more days off before long. With open spots on the 40-man roster and a small price to pay for acquiring Michaels (an insignificant player to be named, plus the Indians will pay a large chunk of Michaels’ salary), this deal has little downside. It helps the team this year and it allows Morgan to progress as a player.

Next up: 4 games against the Atlanta Braves. Now we find out if the Pirates are turning the corner and becoming a better team, or if a lesser team just made them appear better.