Walking the Plank: Weekly Review: May 27-June 2: Reds and Brewers

Cincinnati Reds Series Record: 2-2
Milwaukee Brewers Series Record: 1-3
Pirates Record and Standings: 28-30, 4th Place NL Central

The best way I can describe these past 8 games for the Pirates is WEIRD. They have had blow out wins along with blow out loses, had the promising Mitch Keller give up 6 runs in the first inning while Steven Brault pitched 5.1 scoreless innings, and had a great comeback from 5-0 against the Brewers on Saturday to only lose in extra innings. What a crazy and disappointing week it has been. Here are my 3 big takeaways from this week's games: 

1. Help us Trevor and Jamo.. You're our only hopes..

Starting pitching was supposed to be a strength for the Pirates this season, and it was throughout most of April, but it has fallen apart dramatically in the month of May. Without their top two guys in Trevor Williams and Jameson Taillon, the Pirates have been throwing out desperate starters such as Brault and Kingham while Musgrove and Archer have also been struggling for most of the month. We even got some excitement when Mitch Keller was called up to start the second game of the double header against the Reds, but lets just say he had a less than ideal first inning... (although he looked good the rest of the way with 7 strikeouts). Let us hope Trevor and Jamo can come back sooner rather than later. 

2. Josh Bell's Month of May was Historical

The month of May was an up and down month for the Pirates and many players, but there was always one steady presence in Josh Bell. Bell ended the month with 94 total bases batted for, which is the most by any player in the month of May since Willie Mays in 1958 (that's a pretty good name to be associated with). Heres to hoping Bell can keep up this pace throughout the season because the Pirates are in dire need of his production. 

3. The Offense Has Been Surprisingly Good

Oh how the tides have changed. What was thought to be a team led by dominant pitching and a mediocre offense has been living off of their hot bats. The Pirates scored 4 runs or more in 6 out of 8 games this week. In these weekly round ups I truly try to make sense of these Pirates, but they make it very difficult and to repeat from earlier, they are WEIRD. 

Position Player of the Week (Last week: Josh Bell): Kevin Newman. Newman has been a pleasant surprise since coming off of the injured list providing the Pirates with some stability at shortstop that they have not had all season. We knew he would be great in the field (check out Most Derek Jeter like Moment), but it has been his bat that has made him this weeks position player of the week! Hitting his first career HR as a grand slam cemented his spot here! 

Pitcher of the Week (Last Week: Jordan Lyles): Steven Brault. Wow, what a difficult choice for this week; never would I have thought I would be picking Brault for Pitcher of the Week, but his 5.1 IP scoreless start was the best of the week (also, there are not many other good pitching performances to choose from). 

Moment of the Week (Last Week: Josh Bell monster HR): Starling Marte 3-Run Go-Ahead Home Run off of Josh Hader Saturday Afternoon. Marte hit yet another clutch HR for the Pirates, and this time it was against one of the best relief pitchers in the game. The crowd was fired up and on their feet thinking this would have put the Pirates up for good at 10-8.... but that lead did not last for long (Yes, I'm looking at you, Felipe Vazquez). Honorable Mention: Newman's grand slam. Have yourself a week, Kevin Newman! 

Most Derek Jeter Like Moment: Friday Night: Kevin Newman incredible play a shortstop for the first out of the game. Some fans may not look at this play as spectacular, but it has been a while since we have seen a play like that made at shortstop. It felt like the Pirates had Derek Jeter at shortstop to make that play and it helped carry Chris Archer through a "decent" start. 

Who Walks the Plank (Last Week: Chris Archer): Joe Musgrove. I love Joe Musgrove and think he can turn around from his rough month of May, but he has faltered when the rotation has needed him most. In his last two starts Musgrove has given up 5 and 6 ERs, and that just cannot cut it, especially with the Pirate's current injuries. Walk the plank, Mr. Musgrove! 

Upcoming Games: Home: 3 Game Series vs. Braves Away: 3 Games Series vs. Brewers

Record Prediction (Last Week: 5-3- "I thought it was opposite day"): 2-4. Without Williams and Taillon, I do not think the pitching can keep up and I do not think the Pirate's bats will stay as hot as they have been. Pirates lose both series taking one game in each against two good teams. 

Thanks for reading and let me know what you think in the comments below. Try to stay positive Pirate fans and Lets Go Bucs!!

-Aaron, TGYK