PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Mike Tomlin often uses the phrase football-like when referring to practices without pads. For the Pirates this weekend, it’s playoff-like.
Arizona is in town for three games as the Pirates return home on Friday night. The Diamondbacks currently holding on to the final Wild Card spot. They’ve won seven of its last 10 including two of three against the Bucs. Arizona is 2.5 games clear of the Pirates, so a sweep and they swap spots.
This is a potential preview of a playoff series, especially when you consider who is pitching for the Pirates. Substitute Luis Ortiz for Jared Jones and then Mitch Keller and Paul Skenes.
It’s what you’ve heard even national experts discuss about the Pirates in that teams would not want to face their starting pitching in a playoff series. Skenes started the All-Star Game for the National League, is 6-1 with a 1.90 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 103 strikeouts in 80.2 innings and the rookie is the talk of baseball. Keller arguably should have been an All-Star for a second consecutive year and while Jones is working back from a lat injury, Ortiz is 2-0 as a starter with a 1.52 ERA with 23 strikeouts to six walks and an 0.88 WHIP.
There is also the offensive addition, while not as huge as many had hoped, the Pirates did get a power bat and a utility player hitting .292 with insane amounts of intangibles and clubhouse presence, if you are into that being a huge deal.
There have been some emotional series recently at PNC Park. Those games against the Phillies and Cardinals were high energy, but there was a lot of red at the ballpark. Arizona isn’t going to travel like Philadelphia or St. Louis fans. You won’t hear cheering for the D-backs this weekend. Given the Pirates are a surprising 55-53 on the season, attendance, along with enthusiasm should be at a peak not seen in August in six years.
Steelers camp is underway, but eyes will be at PNC Park for a huge series with Dan Zangrilli hosting the North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show at 5:45 and first pitch at 6:40 on 93.7 The Fan.