Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitching will take them as far as they go

The 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates have provided their fans with dominating pitching nightly. The starters have been very solid and the bullpen has been lights out. A.J. Burnett, Francisco Liriano, Jeff Locke, Charlie Morton & company have provided the Bucs with great pitching almost every night and some nights without any run support.

The Pirates this year will only go as far as their pitching takes them. It is hard to believe but I, along with many others, are thinking way past the .500 mark and hopefully deep into the playoffs.  The National League Central division is within reach right now as the Pirates are a full four games ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Aug 8, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Mark Melancon (35) throws a warm up pitch against the Miami Marlins during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 5-4 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

This coming week will tell more of where the Pirates stand in the division with three more games against the redbirds. The Pirates and Cardinals face off again at least nine more times in the regular season. The quality pitching the Bucs have received this year is the main reason why they sit atop the division at the present time.

A lot of people are expecting the Pirates to grab another bat to strengthen their weak bench. I agree that they need another bat to help their offense however pitching is the main reason that the fans of Pittsburgh are thinking about purchasing playoff tickets for the first time in two decades.

There is still a possibility that the Pirates will have to play a one game wild card game. They have several options in mind for that one game and I would like the Bucs’ chances because of the exceptional pitching they have received all year.

I haven’t even mentioned the bullpen which is arguably the best bullpen in Major League Baseball. It doesn’t happen often when an all-star closer goes down with an injury that the team doesn’t miss a beat. That is the situation the Pirates have dealt with this year.

Mark Melancon has done a great job filling in for the injured Jason Grilli. That is the story of the Pirates this year, where every player has been stepping up when asked to do so. Let’s hope the pitching carries the team deep into the playoffs.