Pittsburgh Pirates series review vs. Reds

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Pirates were officially eliminated from NL Central contention with their series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. The goal of avoiding the one game playoff was lost, but there was still work to be done entering the final series of the regular season.

The Cubs are on an unreal winning streak, so the Pirates needed to win the series to clinch home field for the NL Wildcard game. Against a struggling Reds team, it should be fairly easy but the Reds have given the Pirates a ton of fits in 2015, which is completely mind boggling, but that’s baseball. The only thing the Pirates needed to do was win the series, nothing more, nothing less.

They sent their filthy left hander to the mound for game one, looking to kick things off the right way.

Next: Game One: Liriano vs. Sampson

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Game One: Francisco Liriano (12-7, 3.27ERA) vs. Keyvius Sampson (2-6, 6.46ERA)

Result: Pirates win 6-4 (12 innings)

Winning Pitcher: Arquimedes Caminero (5-1, 3.67ERA)

Losing Pitcher: Collin Balester (1-1, 7.47ERA)

• What went right:
  • The bullpen was absolutely outstanding. Jared Hughes, Joakim Soria, Tony Watson, Mark Melancon, Antonio Bastardo and Arquimedes Caminero completely shut down the Reds’ offense from the fifth inning onward.
  • Starling Marte played the role of hero again as he knocked in his 20^th game winning RBI of the season on a walk-off two-run home run. He went 2-6 and also had two runs scored.
  • Andrew McCutchen busted out of his mini funk, going 3-5 with an RBI and two runs scored.
  • Noted Pirate-killer, Todd Frazier had a very poor game, going 0-6 with three strikeouts.

• What went wrong:
  • Francisco Liriano did not have his best stuff and really struggled all night. He did battle and keep the team in the game, but against a very poor Reds team, that isn’t enough. He ended up going five innings, allowing four runs on seven hits.
  • Eugenio Suarez had a pretty impressive night, going 2-6 with a home run, three RBI and a run scored.
  • Pedro Alvarez and Francisco Cervelli both committed errors.
  • Pirates went 1-8 with runners in scoring position.

The Pirates did not play their best game by any means, but this time of year, wins are all that matter and despite falling behind early, the Pirates superior talent won out in the end. Coming back from 4-0 down against any Big League team is impressive, even one that has lost 13 games in a row.

The Pirates looked to lock up home field in the Wildcard game by sending Batman out for the final regular season start of his career.

Next: Game Two: Burnett vs. Finnegan

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Game Two: A.J. Burnett (9-6, 3.15ERA) vs. Brandon Finnegan (1-2, 5.09ERA)

Result: Pirates lose 3-1

Winning Pitcher: Brandon Finnegan (2-2, 4.18ERA)

Losing Pitcher: A.J. Burnett (9-7, 3.18ERA)

Save: Aroldis Chapman (33, 1.63ERA)

• What went right:
  • Josh Harrison had two hits from the lead-off spot. He went 2-3 with a walk and a run scored.
  • Gregory Polanco went 1-3 and had the lone Pirates’ RBI.
  • Starling Marte went 1-3.
  • A.J. Burnett was terrific in his final regular season start. He overcame a rough first inning and pitched into the seventh. Overall he went 6.2 innings, allowed three runs on five hits and struck out nine. He left to a loud ovation and did a curtain call to the roar of the appreciative crowd. It was an awesome moment and Burnett deserved every second of it.

• What went wrong:
  • The Pirates could not figure out Brandon Finnegan. After scoring in the first inning, he completely shut them down. He went six innings, allowed one run on three hits and struck out six.
  • Andrew McCutchen went 0-4 with two strikeouts and looked very bad against Finnegan’s cut fastball.
  • Brandon Phillips had his usual solid game against the Pirates. He went 2-3 with a run scored.
  • A.J. Burnett committed a throwing error on a pick-off attempt, which set up the game’s first run.

The Pirates did not play well at all and because of the Cubs victory, they went into game 162 still needing a victory to clinch home field in the Wildcard game. For the second year in a row, all 162 games meant something for the Pirates. They needed a win in the final game to make home field HAPPen.

Next: Game Three: Happ vs. Smith

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

There’s nothing more exciting than when the baseball season comes down to game 162. There’s just something about knowing six months of work come down to the end, but the Pirates made sure game 162 was never really in doubt. This game was close for most of it, but the Pirates were in control from first inning onward, which I think all the fans in attendance appreciated. I don’t think fans could have handled a super tense game with the Chicago Cubs winning again, but luckily the Pirates took care of their own business and won the ballgame, setting up a do or die NL Wildcard game in PNC Park for the third consecutive season.

Normally, I’d talk about what’s up next for the Pirates, but you already know that Jake Arrieta and Chicago Cubs are looming in the NL Wildcard game, but I want to discuss this 2015 regular season for a bit. The Pirates finished 98-64, which is the third best finish in franchise history and while we’re all disappointed we didn’t win the Central, it’s important to remember that this team gave us so many amazing memories. Regardless of what happens in the playoffs, I will look back at 2015 with a huge smile.

From Josh Harrison leading off Opening Day with a home run, Jung Ho Kang‘s amazing rookie campaign and of course the back-to-back walk-off wins against the Cardinals. 2015 was something amazing and despite there being some negativity about not winning the division, I think most fans realize how lucky they were that they got to watch this team every single day. We got to watch one of the best teams in Major League Baseball play in the baseball ballpark in the Majors. If you had told a fan in 2010 that the Pirates would win 98 games in only five seasons, they’d be thrilled and probably not believe you.

So much has changed since the final out was recorded in 2010 and no matter how many times the Pirates make the playoffs, I will never take it for granted. I’ve been a season ticket holder for almost a decade now. I’ve seen some awful baseball and now, I am seeing my team in the playoffs for a third consecutive season. You can say “I am accepting mediocrity,” because I am not up in arms that the Pirates didn’t win 101 games and win the Central division, but really if you’re upset about a 98 win team, maybe sports aren’t the hobby for you. Yes, the team may have lost some games they should have won, but the inverse is also more than true. Everything balances out over the course of 162 and this Pirates team is one of the best teams in the league for a reason. So lets Blackout PNC and be loud and show Jake Arrieta and the Chicago Cubs what playoff baseball in Pittsburgh is all about.

Series Result: Pirates win 2-1

2015 win/loss record: 98-64

2015 series record: 30-16-5

Next: Top five Pittsburgh Pirates moments from the 2015 regular season