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Pittsburgh Pirates: Lead Off Hitters Lead The Way Takeaways From Sweep Of Rockies
The Pittsburgh Pirates are now 9-4 in their last 13 games
It is no secret that the Pittsburgh Pirates have struggled since the All-Star Break. While the team is just 16-32 since the break, they have been playing better baseball of late.
Over the weekend, the team went into Coors Field in Denver and swept all four games against the Colorado Rockies. Following the sweep, the Pirates are now 9-4 in their last 13 games played and 60-77 overall this season. This just their second sweep since the break, and third series victory.
Led by strong starting pitching and a great offensive output, the Pirates were able to overcome shaky at time bullpen work to sweep the Rockies. Hopefully, the Pirates recent hot streak can catapult them to a strong finish to an otherwise wasted 2019 season.
After an off day on Labor Day, the Pirates will return home for a three game set against the Miami Marlins. But before we turn our attention to the Marlins, let’s take a look back at three takeaways from their four game series at Coors Field against the Rockies.
A big weekend for Pirate lead off hitters
Kevin Newman hit lead off for the Pirates in the first three games of the series. In those three games he was 9-for-15 with three home runs and a double. He also hit a lead off home run in two of those three games.
Sunday afternoon, Newman got the day off so Adam Frazier was bumped up to the lead off spot. Frazier went 2-for-5 with a lead off home run of his own. This marked the first time since 1988 that the Pirates hit three lead off home runs in a four game series.
Throughout the season Newman has been a pleasant surprise for the Pirates. After struggling mightily last season, Newman has bounced back to slash .313/.357/.448 with a 110 wRC+ this season. Hitting double digit home runs has been a pleasant surprise as well.
As for Frazier, he has struggled this season. However, he set the tone on Sunday by leading the game off with a home run. This tone setting blast by Frazier helped lead the Pirates to a victory and in turn a sweep of the Rockies.
During this four game series the Pirates scored 37 runs. This included scoring 11 runs twice. A big reason for this was the success of Pirate lead off hitters. This may sound like some real top notch analysis. but when a team’s lead off hitters are getting on base regularly the team’s lineup will be set up for success.
Is Trevor Williams getting back on track?
When Trevor Williams was placed on the injured list on May 17th he owned a 3.33 ERA and a 3.33 FIP. In his first 10 starts after coming off the IL Williams struggled mightily. In these starts he owned a 8.03 ERA and a 6.99 FIP while allowing 2.73 HR/9.
However, in his past two starts Williams has looked like the pitcher that he had been since joining the Pirate rotation in May 2017.
Thursday night Williams allowed 3 runs, zero home runs, he did not walk a batter, and he struck out six in 7 innings of work. This came after he fired 6 shutout innings against the Reds in his previous start.
Williams has also started to get back on track with inducing soft contact in these starts. He’s induced soft contact at a 24.2% clip during these starts.
While the Pirates have nothing to play for the rest of the way, one thing worth watching is to see if their starting pitching can get back on track heading into next season. That includes Williams. If these last two starts were him getting back on track, then there are still positives to be had for the Pirates down the stretch.
Bryan Reynolds continues to not get the attention he deserves
Praise have been sung for Bryan Reynolds all season long. The rookie outfielder has taken the National League by storm this season and appears to be a budding superstar. This past weekend’s trip to Coors Field was yet another great series for Reynolds.
After collecting three more hits on Sunday, Reynolds is now slashing .335/.402/.531 with a 144 wRC+ this season. He also owns a healthy 12.2% extra base hit rate. There is nothing Reynolds has not done well this season.
In Denver this weekend Reynolds was 9-for-21 with four doubles. Reynolds has now collected 32 doubles this season, which is the second most on the team behind Josh Bell (37).
Much like the lead off hitters having a big weekend helped springboard the offense, Reynolds was a factor as well. Having his bat in the two hole has been a great table setting weapon for the Pirates this season. Furthermore, with Clint Hurdle deciding he likes Reynolds in the two hole he has unknowingly put the team’s best hitter in the two hole which is where a team’s best hitter should bat.
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Reynolds is not going to win NL Rookie of the Year due to the season Pete Alonso is having, and that is a shame. Reynolds is putting together arguably the best rookie season in Pirate history, and one of the best in baseball in recent years. With the rookie season he is putting together Reynolds deserves much more national attention than he has gotten.