Last Night Demonstrated Why Francisco Liriano Is So Good

Alright, so, it may sound odd to say a night when Francisco Liriano lasted just 5 innings surrendering 3 runs on 5 hits and 4 walks was a night that he demonstrated why he is so good. However, that is exactly what Liriano did last night.

On multiple occasions last night the Reds could have busted the game open and taken a big lead that the Pirates would not have been able to overcome, but Liriano did not allow that to happen. In the bottom of the third inning the Reds loaded the bases with no one out, but Liriano got Brandon Phillips to fly out to center field and then got Devin Mesoraco to hit into an inning ending 5-4-3 double play. So despite the Reds loading the bases with nobody out, Liriano held them to just one run.

In the fourth inning the Reds loaded the bases again, this time with just one out. However, Liriano got Zack Cozart to ground into a 5-4-3 inning ending double play. This time, Liriano escaped a bases loaded jam without allowing a single run.

Francisco Liriano struggled with command last night, and was far from his best. On multiple occasions in the past Liriano has commented on how much he hates pitching in the cold, so there’s a good chance that played a factor in last night’s struggles. However, when Liriano needed to make a big pitch to get out of a jam and keep the Pirates in the game he did just that. And that is how Liriano demonstrated just how good he is last night.

Francisco Liriano is one of the best left-handed pitchers in baseball. Even with him struggling last night, he demonstrated that once again. Even though Gerrit Cole is the Pirates best starting pitcher, Francisco Liriano remains my favorite to watch pitch.