Pittsburgh Pirates Could Climb Into First Place on Sunday


Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Pirates will be shooting for first place in the National League Central when they take on the St. Louis Cardinals in the final game of their three game series. Pittsburgh will send Jeff Locke to the mound while St. Louis will counter with Shelby Miller.

Locke is coming off his best start of the season. On Tuesday, he held the Philadelphia Phillies to just two hits over six scoreless innings. This will be the first time Locke will go up against the Cardinals in his career.

Okay so it is only April but there is never a bad time to be in first place. Pittsburgh is 7-2 in their last nine ballgames and has many positive things they can build on.

Wandy Rodriguez and A.J. Burnett have been leading a staff that is only going to get better as guys return from the disabled list. Jason Grilli has taken over the closer’s role seamlessly from Joel Hanrahan who was dealt in the offseason to the Boston Red Sox.

On the offensive side of the ball, things have been a bit more spotty. Starling Marte has an on base percentage of .390 and six stolen bases. While Andrew McCutchen is only batting .216, he has driven in 13 runs.

Pirates fans have been down this road the past two seasons. The team has played well to begin the season and then tanked shortly after the All-Star break. I think this year will be different, but as the 80s Asia tune says only: time will tell.

Darren Pare is a Pittsburgh Pirates writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter at dpare71, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

 

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