Wednesday night’s Pirates/Padres game was already interesting enough with former Bucco Joe Musgrove taking the mound against his former teammates.
It’s even more interesting now, after seven batter were plunked last night, 4 Pirates and 3 Padres.
After the game on Tuesday, manager Derek Shelton told reporters they didn’t hit anyone intentionally.
“I don’t think it will carry over into tomorrow’s game, I mean we weren’t trying to hit anybody I mean obviously we walked 13 guys so we struggled with command all game long and we were winning the game at no point when you’re winning the game are you intentionally trying to hit somebody,” said Shelton.
When it comes to the Padres though, Shelton asked The Fan’s Jeff Hathhorn to make his own conclusion on San Diego’s motivation.
“There were two out, nobody on, so…”
Shelton was talking about Padres pitcher Taylor Williams hitting Bucs batter Phillip Evans in the 8th inning.
Catcher Jacob Stallings, who went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI, said after the game he believes Williams hit Evans with intent but hopes it doesn’t carry over into Wednesday’s game but, “was not surprised,” it happened.
While the Pirates said publicly they don’t want the situation to escalate and that it’s all in the past, it might be a good idea for them to hit someone (safely in the rear end or upper arm)…someone named Machado.
Here’s why:
The Padres are considered a World Series caliber team, while the Pirates are beginning their journey to glory again.
If starting pitcher Tyler Anderson hits a Padres player in the first inning, they will accomplish a few things.
They’ll send a message to San Diego that they aren’t a team to be messed with. They aren't a team you can bully.
Another thing that will likely happen is both teams are warned. That means the next pitcher to hit a player is ejected from the game.
That player is of course Musgrove. The drama of a former Pirate going after his former team, and if it will happen is a story right there.
While Musgrove may love Pittsburgh and the friends he made with the Pirates he is a native of San Diego, now pitches for the Padres and is coming off a no-hitter.
If Musgrove does keep his cool, fine, he doesn’t get tossed, but will make it tougher for him to hit the inside of the strike zone or risk plunking a Pirate.
If he lets his passion get the best of him and he does bean a Bucco early in the game, he’s gone and the Pirates hopefully have a better chance at the plate facing the Padres bullpen.