Pirate Hooks

The Pirates were unable to finish a sweep of the Reds as the Ohio gang managed a 4-1 win in the series finale'.
So a few thoughts on the series in Pirate Hooks.

1) Homer Bailey looked awful good against the Pirates,but the task was made easier by the decision to play Ramon Vasquez and Brian Bixler in the same lineup.
About the only thing that could have made it worse was another start for Luis Cruz instead of Delwyn Young at second base.

2) Bailey has been heralded by the Reds for years as their next ace as he rose through the system,but has disappointed.
Bailey has all the tools to be a front of the rotation starter,but the Reds have blunted his progress by moving him up and down from AAA Louisville.
Sometimes,you have to allow a player to take his lumps for a while in order to truly see progress...

3) One point of controversy on Pirate sites right now is about Neil Walker and his statements that he (and Brian Bixler) is being held back by the front office because they were picked by the Littlefield administration.
Some feel this is true,others think that neither have proven themselves worthy of an opportunity.
I think that if Walker legitimately feels this way,he might have taken the right avenue in getting out of Dodge.
It is clear that the Pirates may either move Walker to another position,considering Pedro Alvarez will likely start next season as the Indianapolis 3rd baseman or perhaps a trade that would help both parties.
Do I think Neil Walker has turned out to be what one expects from a first round pick?
No,but a September callup doesn't seem to hurt anyone and lets see what he has.
I know quite a few think that he doesn't deserve that much,but in a season made for scouting-where's the harm?

4) I know it has only been three starts since his arrival,but Kevin Hart has not exactly impressed me.
Hart's command is questionable at best and for a guy reported to be a power arm,he hasn't shown it much thus far....

5) The loss dropped the Pirates back into last place by a half game after a one day escape.
The loss snapped a five game Pittsburgh winning streak and kept them in 3rd in the Bryce Harper derby.
Pittsburgh trails Washington by ten games in the loss column and rank behind Kansas City by a few games as well...

6) The Pirates and Reds play each other TEN more times before the seasons out!
That says three things.
1) If one team wins the majority of those games,that team will drop a draft spot or two.
2) The games are going to be competitive.
3) They might feature a TON of less than stellar baseball....

Back later with more!

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