The Unbelievable Truth That Is The 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates have won nine of their past twelve games.  It’s hard to even fathom after the slow start.  It seems like quite an accomplishment considering the difficulty of the schedule.

One can only trust it continues as the competition seems even more challenging as we look ahead to the St. Louis Cardinals–NL Central on the line?  The team then hosts a few tough challengers in the Washington Nationals and Milwaukee Brewers.

After losing four straight, the team has gone 11-4.  The team has battled and never seem out of a game.

Wandy. Rodriguez.  What a talent he has been since coming over in the trade deadline.

A.J. Burnett has been unreal.

The Pirates bullpen, now known as The Shark Tank, has an ERA under two.

Vin Mazzaro has been pretty good..  Yeh, Vin.  Not Bizzaro, Mazzaro.

Josh Harrison was actually sent to the minors.  We have begged for this, but it’s really unbelievable that it has come to pass.  Now Brandon Inge has served as the bench bat–two big hits in his first two games and the utility player.

The Bucs have put up four shutouts this year.  Sometimes, I go back and check and re-check the facts, it seems to good to be true.

Closer Jason Grilli is nine-for-nine in save opportunites. (And you were worried?!?!?)

Mark Melancon just sends them back to their dugout.

Starling Marte has owned the first inning going 10-for-17. #MartePartay has three doubles, one triple, and five runs scored.

The big offseason acquistion, Russell Martin, has heated up lately.  Martin even played third base.

El Toro is hitting up after hitting his fourth homer of the year, his first off a left-hander.

Neil Walker has quietly hit safely in 11 of his past 13 games.

Garrett Jones and Gaby Sanchez have provided some crucial production.

Travis Snider has been an on-base machine.

Brandon Inge has been undefeated since joing the Buccos.  Brandon Inge.

And most importantly or perhaps the most strange of all these facts–Andrew McCutchen has been just o.k.  It’s hard to imagine when he gets hot what could happen.