Pittsburgh Pirates series review vs San Francisco Giants

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been playing some marvelous baseball against some good competition. They completed a sweep of the Mets and then took two of three from the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Pirates then turned their focus on the team that ended their 2014 season, the San Francisco Giants.

No regular season series can make up for what the Giants did in the NL Wildcard game, but with a series victory the Pirates could all but kill the Giants wildcard chances and win another series against a contending team. The Pirate turned to Ground Chuck to get the series off to a good start.

Next: Game One: Morton vs. Peavy

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Game Two: Jeff Locke (6-7, 4.31ERA) vs. Madison Bumgarner (14-6, 2.98ERA)

Result: Pirates lose 6-4

Winning Pitcher: Madison Bumgarner (15-6, 3.02ERA)

Losing Pitcher: Jeff Locke (6-8, 4.56ERA)

Save: Santiago Casilla (30, 3.61ERA)

• What went right:
  • Michael Morse had a very solid day, going 2-3 with two runs scored.
  • Andrew McCutchen went 2-4 with a run scored.
  • Joe Blanton settled the game down after a poor performance from Jeff Locke. He went two innings, allowed zero runs on three hits and struck out four.
  • Antonio Bastardo and Arquimedes Caminero both continued their improve play as they combined for two innings of hitless, scoreless ball.

• What went wrong:
  • Madison Bumgarner did it on the mound and at the plate. He went 6.1 innings, allowed three runs on six hits and struck out six. He also went 1-4 with a home run, two RBI and a run scored at the plate.
  • Nori Aoki was a Pirate-killer once again. He went 3-5 with a run scored.
  • Marlon Byrd was dominant in his Giants’ debut. He went 3-5 with two RBI and a run scored. He was a triple shy of the cycle.
  • Andrew McCutchen committed a throwing error.

Madison Bumgarner was tremendous on the mound and at the plate as the Giants tied the series up. The Pirates turned to an ace of their own to regain the series advantage.

Next: Game Three: Cole vs. Heston

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Game Three: Gerrit Cole (14-7, 2.61ERA) vs. Chris Heston (11-7, 3.34ERA)

Result: Pirates win 3-2

Winning Pitcher: Mark Melancon (3-1, 1.55ERA)

Losing Pitcher: George Kontos (2-2, 1.97ERA)

• What went right:
  • Gerrit Cole returned to his ace form and kept the Giants off-balance all day. He went seven innings, allowed one run (zero earned) on three hits and struck out eight.
  • Jung Ho Kang had maybe the best game of his outstanding rookie season. He went 2-3 with two home runs, two RBI and two runs scored.
  • Mark Melancon was ridiculously dominant in the ninth inning. He threw six pitches in the inning.
  • Starling Marte played the role of walk-off hero as he hit a solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. He went 2-4 on the day.

• What went wrong:
  • Mike Leake pitched very well as he had a no-hitter through five innings. He ended up going six innings, allowed one run on one hit and struck out six.
  • Chris Stewart had a very rough day at the plate. He allowed a wild pitch and a pass ball.
  • Outside of Jung Ho Kang and Starling Marte, the Pirates’ offense didn’t do anything. No one else in the line-up had a hit.
  • Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte were caught stealing.

Gerrit Cole returned to his ace form and dominated the Giants and put the Pirates into a position to win the series against the defending World Champions. The Pirates sent their outstanding lefty to the mound while the entire nation watched on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.

Next: Game Four: Liriano vs. Vogelsong

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Game Four: Francisco Liriano (8-6, 3.35ERA) vs. Ryan Vogelsong (9-8, 3.93ERA)

Result: Pirates win 5-2

Winning Pitcher: Francisco Liriano (9-6, 3.23ERA)

Losing Pitcher: Ryan Vogelsong (9-9, 4.05ERA)

Save: Mark Melancon (39, 1.53ERA)

• What went right:
  • His name is Andrew McCutchen. Cutch went 2-4 with a home run, one RBI, two runs scored and a walk.
  • Francisco Liriano battled through control issues, an inconsistent strike zone to throw 5.1 innings, allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out five.
  • The Shark Tank pitched to the formula as Arquimedes Caminero, Joakim Soria, Tony Watson and Mark Melancon completely shut down the Giants’ offense and sealed the win for the Pirates.
  • Pedro Alvarez hit an opposite field home run in the seventh inning.

• What went wrong:
  • Pedro Alvarez committed three errors at first base, which allowed the Giants to sneak back into the game.
  • Matt Duffy had a big game, going 3-5 with a run scored.
  • Neil Walker and Jung Ho Kang both grounded into double plays.
  • Francisco Cervelli allowed a pass ball.

Next: Final Thoughts

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pirates faced a very tough August schedule and many fans were worried about how the team would do against some very difficult competition. The Pirates didn’t just survive the tough stretch, they thrived, going 13-5 against the National League playoff contenders.

This recent stretch of play should answer a lot of questions about the Pirates and how they may do in October. This Pirates team is a legitimate World Series contender as they can beat any team on any given day. They can also win games in a variety of ways. The Pirates can out pitch a team and win via three solo home runs or they can out slug you and win a game 9-8 in extra innings. Anything can happen in October, but you have to like the Pirates chances come playoff time.

The Pirates cannot enjoy the series victory against the Giants for very long as they travel to Miami to start a four game series against the near last place Marlins. The Pirates have played some very good teams, but coming up they have the Marlins and Rockies. The Pirates must stay focused and keep up the same intensity against the struggling teams. They are currently 3.5 games out of first place in the NL Central and they cannot afford to overlook any teams. When you’re in a pennant race, every game is the biggest game of the season. I know one thing, I believe in these Pirates and expect them to come out and take care of business regardless of opponent, much like they have done all season.

Series Result: Pirates win 3-1

2015 win/loss record: 74-48

2015 series record: 21-13-5

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