Pirates (41-39) at Nats (40-41)

Post #1 » by **Jollay** » Fri Jul 1, 2011 1:08 pm

Very interesting series between two somewhat surprising teams. Nats start a massive homestand that will take them into the all-star break, and maybe determine what the Nats do at the trading deadline, if anything.

The Pirates have been surprisingly good, and like the Nats, they can trace alot of that back to pitching. Their team ERA was 5.00 last year, now it's 3.52. They've been getting alot of solid, although not dominant, pitching from their starters, and Joel Hanrahan has finally become the player the Nats thought he might be as their closer. He's been maybe the best closer in the game this year. Interesting how the Nats getting Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett for him and Lastings Milledge was once thought a trade win for the Nats--now, probably not.

These two teams have had the most losses in the NL the last five years, but that seems to be changing.
Four game set, with a day-night doubleheader scheduled for Saturday. Should be a fun series.

Also, Jerry Hairston may be going on the DL now. Not surprised, he really reacted with alot of pain when he got plunked in LA the other day.

Post #2 » by **pineappleheadindc** » Sat Jul 2, 2011 4:59 am

Matt Stairs?

Are you kidding me? Matt "Freaking" Stairs?

Wow.

Post #3 » by **Jollay** » Sat Jul 2, 2011 4:15 pm

LOL. He finally did it.

DH today, one ticket buys two games.

Post #4 » by **pineappleheadindc** » Sun Jul 3, 2011 3:41 am

Since Rafael is in Vegas hunting cougars, let me say this here for him.

PUDGE for the GWRBI.

Nice.

Wizards2Lottery · Post #5 » by **Wizards2Lottery** » Sun Jul 3, 2011 6:26 pm

Brutal game so far.

Post #6 » by **Rafael122** » Tue Jul 5, 2011 12:54 pm

Even though the Nats split the series, I'm glad to see the Pirates finally turn it around. Even if they win only 75 games at least there's hope. They've been picking in the top 10 for so long they were bound to get good.