Pittsburgh Pirates Wake-Up Call – National TV Take One

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to the Pittsburgh Pirates Wake-Up Call, a daily feature here at RumBunter.com. Every morning at 9 AM, one of us will give you our random thoughts on the goings-on around the Pirates’ organization, and we’ll throw out a few links to some good Pirates-related items from around the web.

Base runners are overrated

Yesterday, the Pirates used three solo home runs to take down the Giants in game three of their four game series. Gerrit Cole also pitched a gem, going seven innings, allowing one run on three hits and striking out six. Cole returned to the form we’ve seen all season as he looked every bit the Cy Young candidate.

The Pirates left zero men on base because all their runs were scored via the solo home run. Two from Jung ho Kang and the game-winning walk off home run from Starling Marte. The Pirates’ offense didn’t do much, but it did enough to regain the series lead against the defending World Champions.

The Pirates will look to take the series against the Giants on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball as Francisco Liriano takes on former Pirate, Ryan Vogelsong. The Pirates will attempt to win another series against an NL West opponent. PNC Park should be rocking and rolling as it’s a nationally televised game against the defending World Champions. It doesn’t get much better than that. The atmosphere should be absolutely incredible as you can expect a packed PNC.

Free Glasnow

Tyler Glasnow has continued to dominate Triple-A as he went 6.1 innings, allowed zero runs on four hits and struck out nine. Since his call-up to Triple-A, Glasnow has been absolutely outstanding, going 1-0 with 0.99ERA in 27.1 innings, he’s also struck out 34 and walked 15.

You are definitely seeing a rise in the amount of cries about promoting Tyler Glasnow to the Big League club. I do not think Glasnow should be thrust into the starting rotation just yet, but I would love to see him used in a similar way the Rays used David Price in 2008. Use Glasnow in the bullpen and let him get a taste of the Big Leagues. Plus if he’s effective, you could absolutely use him out of the bullpen in the stretch run and potentially the playoffs.

The shark tank is obviously the strength of the team, but there is nothing wrong with making it even stronger with Glasnow’s powerful right arm. I am not usually one to call for prospects to come up early, but Glasnow has showed that he can absolutely dominate at every level and if he can help this team in September, then there is zero reason for him not to be on the roster. So I will start the FREE GLASNOW campaign.

National TV is really fun

The Pirates played another nationally televised game against the Giants yesterday and will play another one tonight. For years, the Pirates were never on ESPN or Fox and while last year we saw an increase in the Pirates on national tv, we’ve never seen anything like this. The Pirates have been a regular feature on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball and it brings a whole different level of energy into PNC Park.

The Pirates are one of the best teams in Major League Baseball and national networks are taking notice of it. The Pirates have made the playoffs in two straight seasons, but it still feels amazing to see the Pirates in the spot light for all the country to see. PNC Park on any day is one of the best home field advantages in the league, but add the air of prime time and you have easily the best atmosphere in the league. It’s no wonder that the Pirates record is 17-4 when PNC Park is sold out. When the fans Pack PNC, the Pirates win.

Around the web

The Pirates bullpen is carrying them in the playoffs according to Dave Holcomb of Rant Sports.

Five reasons the Pirates will win the World Series by Connor Muldowney.

A Mar-tay Part-ay every which way by Josh Yohe of DK on Pittsburgh Sports.

Next: Yes, the Pittsburgh Pirates are among baseball elite