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Pittsburgh Pirates Homestand Report Card 7/6 – 7/15

By Joe Smeltzer

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 24: Clay Holmes #68 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the seventh inning during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park on June 24, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 24: Clay Holmes #68 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the seventh inning during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park on June 24, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 14: Starling Marte #6 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with Gregory Polanco #25 after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 14: Starling Marte #6 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with Gregory Polanco #25 after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Offense – the good

Starling Marte has been the furthest thing from a liability recently, and fellow outfielder Gregory Polanco has been raking as well. Josh Bell is starting to come around at the dish, ending a good week with an epic walk off hit Sunday afternoon.

Even role player Jordan Luplow made a big splash with a two home run game in the nightcap of Saturday’s doubleheader. Overall, the Pirates averaged nearly five runs per in this ten game stretch. As I’ve been saying all year, for the Bucs to make the most out of their talent, the bats have to lead the way. Right now, they are doing their part.

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Offense – the bad

While the success of the outfield has made Meadows’ continuous isolation easier to understand, the way the Pirates have handled the rookie, who is now in Triple-A for the time being, is still frustrating. While Luplow has shown flashes of brilliance, he isn’t better than Meadows. This kid needs at-bats, and Clint Hurdle isn’t giving them to him.

While the organization deserves criticism for how they’ve handled their 2013 first-round draft choice, It’s unfortunate that fans appear to be more upset about Meadows than they are happy about the team winning, but cynicism is nothing new here.

Overall, the offense is doing its part to help the Pirates win, and this lineup has the talent to keep it rolling.

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