Predicting The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Final Homestand Of The Season

Tuesday September 16 Boston Red Sox 64-85 [Anthony Ranaudo 3-2 5.40 ERA] vs Pittsburgh Pirates 79-69 [Vance Worley 7-4 3.18 ERA] 7:05 p.m.

Aug 27, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop

(10) fields a ground ball against the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

As is the case with most American League teams, many Pirates players do not have much experience playing these teams. Ranaudo, who is making his sixth start, definitely fits the bill for that. The Pirates have a definite opportunity to strike first in this series as Ranaudo has a -0.3 WAR and has lost his past two decisions. It is worth noting that the Red Sox are have 14 hits in 40 career at-bats against Worley – a .350 batting average, and that is a concern. I again feel that this will be a bullpen battle, but I think the Pirates will pull it out with Jordy Mercer getting a walk-off hit.

Final score Pirates 7 Red Sox 6
WP- Watson [11-1]
LP- Mujica [2-5]

Wednesday September 17 Boston Red Sox 64-86 [Brandon Workman 1-9 5.27 ERA] vs Pittsburgh Pirates 80-69 [Francisco Liriano 4-10 5.74 ERA] 7:05 p.m.

Workman’s season so far has been a waste, but the Pirates tend to play down to these pitchers. To Workman’s credit, his away ERA is 1.29 lower on the road and he is 1-3 away from Fenway Park. I do not feel as though the Pirates will slip in this contest however and for the second consecutive season will finish with a record of at least .500. I think Andrew McCutchen goes 3-4 with a home run in this one.

Final score Pirates 6 Red Sox 3
WP- Liriano [5-10]
LP- Workman [1-10]
SV- Melancon [30]