Pittsburgh Pirates: No more 19-inning games in the future
By Matt Shetler
How can the same thing happen to the same team twice?
That’s what the Pittsburgh Pirates have to be asking themselves after playing in 19-inning games in back-to-back seasons. Obviously the results were different as the Bucs defeated the St. Louis Cardinals this time around, but the impact both games have had on this team is bizarre.
I still suggest that losing last season’s marathon to the Braves had nothing to do with their collapse a season ago, but let’s take a look at the numbers for the 21 games following both 19-inning affairs.
Notice how identical the numbers are, which is bizarre.
2011, following 19-inning loss to Atlanta Braves
Record: 5-16
Batting Average: .236
Runs Per Game: 3.6
2012, following 19-inning win over St. Louis Cardinals
Record: 5-16
Batting Average: .237
Runs Per Game: 3.6
It’s insane how identical the numbers are. I still can’t find a reason why the Pirates have slumped so bad after these long games and I still can’t directly relate these long games as the reason why. But one thing is for sure, the team has slumped directly following them.
To me, there’s only one solution and that’s to stay away from these marathons in the future. One more hit with runners in scoring position could do the trick.
This is a bad trend that the Bucs never want to see again.