Pittsburgh Pirates Set Pitching Rotation For This Weekend

Jul 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (50) deliver a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (50) deliver a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Pittsburgh Pirates have set their pitching rotation for their upcoming series with the Cincinnati Reds this weekend.

It was already known that Gerrit Cole would toe the rubber for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Atlanta Braves tonight. Tomorrow night, the Pirates will send left-handed pitching Jeff Locke to the mound. Then on Thursday, it will be Ryan Vogelsong in his first start since early June.

What was not known, however, is what the Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation would be this weekend against the Cincinnati Reds. This got even more clouded when the Pittsburgh Pirates traded away Francisco Liriano, while adding Ivan Nova prior to yesterday’s non-waiver trade deadline. Well, we now know the Pirates’ weekend rotation.

On Friday night the Pittsburgh Pirates will start Jameson Taillon. This will be followed by Ivan Nova’s first start as a Pirate on Saturday. Finally, the Pirates will send Gerrit Cole to the hill for the series finale against the Reds on Sunday.

As I wrote about yesterday, I am not exactly thrilled about the Pirates acquiring Ivan Nova. Nova’s career numbers are bad, and this season he has been even worse. There really is not a lot of reasons for optimism surrounding Nova. But, I will give him a chance to prove me wrong.

Next: A Tribute To Francisco Liriano

Now that we know the Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation for this weekend, it is time to critique. Moving forward, I want no part of Jeff Locke or Ryan Vogelsong starting games. I like Jeff Locke in the bullpen, but not in the rotation. As for Vogelsong, I do not want him on the roster at all.

Personally, I would replace them in the rotation with Chad Kuhl and Steven Brault. Then when Tyler Glasnow returns from the disabled list, I would have him supplant Ivan Nova. We will have to wait and see what the Pittsburgh Pirates do moving forward.