Remember a year ago around this time. There was a first year Pirates pitcher showing off his stuff interviewing to be one of the cornerstone pitchers of the Pirates staff. Pirates fans were thinking, finally we found at least one pitcher that would be able to provide some stability for this rag-tag staff. That was Ross Ohlendorf. He had a 3.92 era and was 11-10. Not the greatest stats in the world, even his post all star game stats of 4-3 were not very impressive, but the 2.83 era showed promise. It just seemed like he really went on a tear and everyone hoped he would continue that second half success this year. Once again, disappointment. Ohlendorf is sitting at 1-11 with a 4.07 era and done for the season. Still, if you're a Pirate fan and an optimist. That era is still close to respectable. The losses are not. Maybe, just maybe Andrew McCutcheon, Neil Walker, Garrett Jones, Jose Tabata and crew will keep improving and provide some needed offense next year and that e.r.a. will return to the 3.something.
This year's Ross Ohlendorf is James McDonald. An outcast from the Dodgers, picked up by the Pirates. He recently shut out the NL East leading Atlanta Braves and sent them to Second Place behind the Phils. He has shown flashes of being a very good pitcher. Maybe not dominant, but good enough to be a stabilizing force on the Pirates Roster. We'll see if his interview in the remaining games this season can win him a spot next year in the rotation. Hope springs eternal for Pirates fans.
If you're a dreamer, consider Maholm, McDonald, Morton, Ohlendorf and Brad Lincoln all catching fire and the pitching staff actually gives the offense a chance next year. Like, I said you have to be a dreamer. Despite those 18 losing seasons I do remember another group of pitchers finally living up to the hype in another era. Do the names Drabek, Smiley, Dunne ring a bell. Well, maybe not Dunne, but the other two. It could happen. I'd settle for 2 of the 5 actually winning 12 to 15 games and the others keeping them in the game. Wouldn't you?
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One of my readers caught this slipup on my part. When I mentioned the offensive core of the team, I forgot one minor player. Pedro Alvarez. Don't ask me how I forgot him. Just makes the offense 100% better. Nice.
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