Pittsburgh Pirates: 3 Takeaways From Series Loss Against The Cardinals

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 08: Adam Frazier #26 of the Pittsburgh Pirates is restrained by third base coach Joey Cora #28 after being ejected in the seventh inning during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park on September 8, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 08: Adam Frazier #26 of the Pittsburgh Pirates is restrained by third base coach Joey Cora #28 after being ejected in the seventh inning during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park on September 8, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 06: Wei-Chung Wang #78 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the seventh inning during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park on September 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 06: Wei-Chung Wang #78 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the seventh inning during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park on September 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

September call up bullpen arms making a positive impression

Part of September in Major League Baseball is players that typically would not be on an active roster getting an opportunity to prove themselves. So far this month, a pair of bullpen arms have seized the opportunity the Pirates have given them. These two relievers are Yacksel Rios and Wei-Chung Wang.

The right-handed Rios was claimed off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies last month. He’s made just three appearances for the Pirates thus far, but he has made a positive impression. In his three outings as a Pirate Rios has not allowed a run in 3 1/3 innings of work. He has retired all nine batters he has faced and he has struck out a pair.

Left-handed reliever Wei-Chung Wang is also seizing the opportunity he has been presented. Wang is actually a pitcher the Pirate organization knows well. He was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Pirates, but the organization lost him to the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2014 Rule 5 Draft.

The Pirates got Wang back when he was claimed off waivers from the Oakland Athletics in late August. Like Rios, Wang has made three scoreless appearances for the Pirates. As a Pirate Wang has pitched 2 2/3 innings allowing two hits and issuing one walk.

Wang especially has an opportunity to make a lasting impact this month. With Francisco Liriano set to become a free agent the Pirates will be looking for another left-handed bullpen option for next season. With a strong September, Wang could put himself in a position to compete for an Opening Day bullpen spot when Spring Training 2020 rolls around.

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