Top 10 Reasons To Stay Optimistic About The Bucs This Season
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh Pirates have been on a roll lately, having won six in a row.
While the season didn't start out as well as many had hoped for, this win streak is a welcome sight.
In the spirit of David Letterman's retirement, we've put together our own Top 10 list: 10 reasons to stay optimistic about the Bucs this season.
10. The Team's Run Differential.
The Pirates currently hold a plus-35 run differential heading into tonight's matchup with the San Diego Padres. This suggests they could have a couple of more wins in the bank already.
9. The Guy Clint Hurdle Calls "Serpico"
Sean Rodriguez is hitting .281, with a .421 slugging percentage, all while playing four different positions.
8. The Bullpen
Once again, Pittsburgh's "Shark Tank" is one of the MLB's best, ranking fifth in earned-run average.
7. The Pirates Pitching Staff Is Bringing The Heat
Their average fastball velocity of 92.5 miles per hour is the 6th fastest in baseball.
6. The Kang Show
Jung Ho Kang is hitting .313 this season, with an OPS of .823 while playing solid defense at both third base and shortstop.
5. Josh Harrison
Harrison is heating up and has raised his batting average to .259 after hitting only .173 in his first 28 games.
4. Starling Marte
The Pirates' new cleanup hitter holds a .278 batting average and .829 OPS to go along with 9 homers and 31 RBI.
3. Batman Returns
The 38-year-old A.J. Burnett is the first Pirates pitcher since 1900 to give up only two earn runs or fewer in his first eight starts.
2. No. 22, Andrew McCutchen
McCutchen has been on fire since vowing to get back on track a couple of weeks ago. Now, he's raised his batting average to .262 and has 3 homers in his last 10 games.
1. The Ace
The Bucs' new top starter Gerrit Cole, is 7-2 with a 2.11 ERA this season and he was the NL Pitcher of the Month in April.
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