Bucs Reliever Joe Blanton Sees Championship World Series Traits In Team
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - Pirates reliever Joe Blanton has been lights out since coming to the Pirates from the Royals back in late July, posting a 3-0 record and an ERA of 0.52 in 17.1 innings pitched, and he joined Starkey and Mueller to talk about how it's all coming together for him.
"I felt like I was throwing the ball well where I was at," Blanton said. "When I came over, basically they said, 'That's why we brought you over, we like the way you're throwing. Don't do anything different.' The catchers back there have been doing a fantastic job and it's been a nice easy group to fit in for."
Blanton has played on six teams now in his career and won a World Series with the Phillies. He explained the traits he sees in the Pirates that makes him think they're World Series contenders.
"There's a couple of things that stand out," Blanton said. "Really playing the game the right way. Playing the full nine innings, there's no giving in. The ability to be able to fight back and also nail down wins. And a good team chemistry on top of that. All those can take you really far. And just a gutsy team on top of that."
Click the audio link below to hear more from Blanton on his time with the Pirates and his perception of Andrew McCutchen as an MVP candidate before he came here as compared to now that he's his teammate.
