Strasburg slows down Pirates’ bats…again
Comparing a game that happened this past Thursday night to one played two years ago may not be the most scientific way to determine how much progress the Pirates are or are not making in their perpetual rebuilding cycle.
However, it sure is fun to look back at the two games Washington Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg has thrown against the Pirates in his fledgling career, particularly if you are a fan of dominant pitching.
Strasburg had one of the most memorable debuts in major-league history on June 8, 2010, striking out 14 in seven innings while allowing just two runs and four hits. Pirates hitters spent the night flailing and playing the Washington Generals to Strasburg’s Harlem Globetrotters.
Fast forward to Thursday night at PNC Park and it was more of the same. Strasburg pitched just six innings this time but still struck out 13 while giving up two runs, one earned, and five hits.
While it may not entirely fair to judge a team just on the basis of facing one of the game’s elite pitchers, it does indicate what continues to be a major problem for the Pirates.
They strike out way too much.
The new-wave statisticians may argue that an out is an out regardless of it is a strikeout, ground out, fly out or pop out. However, I’ll stick by the old adage that something good can always happen if the ball is put in play.
The Pirates had struck out in 22.0 percent of their plate appearances this season going into their game against Houston Astros on Friday night at PNC Park. That figure was tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for the worst in the major leagues.
Third baseman Pedro Alvarez was the biggest offender. He had the fifth-worst mark in the majors at 30.6 percent.
And or comparison’s sake, those 2008 Pirates, who were so thoroughly dominated by Strasburg and went 57-105, struck out in 20.2 percent of their plate appearances. Thus, the Pirates have actually regressed in that area.
So two years later, the Pirates aren’t really any better offensively. That is quite depressing.
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As of Thursday night, left-hander Erik Bedard’s chances of making his next scheduled start on Monday night at Miami were 50-50 after he left his previous outing against Washington on Wednesday with back spasms.
Bedard getting injured is a yearly occurrence and the Pirates knew that when they signed him to a one-year, $4.5-million contract as a free agent in the offseason. He hasn’t pitched more than 129 1/3 innings in a season since 2007.
If the Pirates get 160 innings out of Bedard this season, their medical staff should win an award.
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You can hate on Rod Barajas for his anemic batting average. Yet you must respect the veteran catcher for having Low Rider as his walkup music at PNC Park.
However, we may have to amend the lyrics by War somewhat so they go like this:
Take a little trip
Take a little trip
Take a little trip to see
Take a little trip
Take a little trip
Take a little trip to below the Mendoza Line