Pittsburgh Pirates home stand report card for June 8-18

Jun 13, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) and right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) and left fielder Adam Frazier (26) celebrate after defeating the Colorado Rockies at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) and right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) and left fielder Adam Frazier (26) celebrate after defeating the Colorado Rockies at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 17, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Felipe Rivero (73) reacts after earning a save against the Chicago Cubs during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Felipe Rivero (73) reacts after earning a save against the Chicago Cubs during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Bullpen

Thursday and Friday against Miami both ended in blowouts, so nothing the ‘pen did mattered. Saturday, Felipe Rivero made his debut as closer, and looked pretty dominant, getting four outs and striking out three. Sunday, Juan Nicasio, Daniel Hudson and Rivero finished what Ivan Nova started, preserving a series split. Tuesday was similar, as four relievers came on after Taillon departed and did their job in a Bucco romp. Cole did most of the work the next night, with Nicasio and Rivero shutting the door in the final two frames.

The ‘pen did not have the luxury of pitching with a lead in the series finale. They had that perk in the series opener with Chicago and boy, did they screw it up.

Saturday night, the bullpen did its job, and the Pirates won. Sunday, the game was virtually out of reach by the time Taillon departed, so nothing the bullpen did held too much weight. It did not help its cause, however, by allowing three additional runs.

Overall, the bullpen was ok. Felipe Rivero is awesome, and Daniel Hudson could be turning into the pitcher the Pirates hoped he would be. But Friday’s massacre was so atrocious that I can’t give these guys anything above a C. I just can’t.

Overall Grade: C