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| Martin has played a big role in the Pirates success. Photo Credit: AP |
Thanks to defeating the Braves 3-2 and getting help from the Reds, the Pittsburgh Pirates, yes those Pirates, are in the postseason for a second consecutive season.
By: Michael Hanley
This is the first time since the 1991 & 1992 seasons that Pittsburgh will enjoy back to back postseason appearances. This is quite the accomplishment for a franchise that was dead in the water for just a little over two decades with no playoff appearances and countless rebuilding efforts gone awry. This recent success has restored the franchise to its former glory, one that is exciting to watch and one that has a winning culture in place, after searching for that for years and years.
They currently have a record of 86-71 record on the season and currently hold down one of the two National League wildcard spots while also staying alive, all but barely, for a shot at the NL Central Division crown. Regardless the Pirates can now start to focus in on their potential opponent in that Wildcard Playoff game.
As it stands now the Pirates are a half game up on the Giants for the first Wildcard playoff berth with just a few games left to go. Pittsburgh will do everything possible to close out that number one WC spot with the reward of hosting that one game playoff at home in PNC Park, where they just so happen to be a very sterling 52-30. Unfortunately that is in contrast to their road record which is only 34-41, not exactly a comforting mark for Pirate fans to lean on should their Pirates somehow drops a few games and San Francisco jump up to the top spot and change the scene to AT&T Park.
The Pirates returned to postseason play thanks to a host of player who stepped up during the regular season. Andrew McCutchen we all know has been and continues to be Pittsburgh best overall player and he has put up another terrific year, batting through some injury time to once again come out on top and lead this team to being a productive and efficient offense. He,as of today, is batting a sparkling .313 with 24 home runs and 76 RBIs, numbers that are MVP worthy I think. McCutchen did not do this all alone of course.
Russell Martin has stepped up big time this season not only being able to handle the pitching staff and have solid game plans for each one of them to execute but with his bat as well. Martin is batting .294 with 11 home runs and 67 RBIs, impressive for an everyday catcher that puts allot of time and effort behind the plate, working with the starting pitcher, blocking balls in the dirt and also controlling the running game of the opponent. He has come up with numerous big hits for this Pirates team when they have needed them the most. Though he did win a Silver Slugger Award as a member of the Dodgers back in 2007, this level of production had not been seen from him in quite a few seasons.
Also the contributions from Neal Walker and Starling Marte have added power and balance to a lineup that is 4th in the National League in runs, 3rd in hits, 3rd in batting average and 2nd in walks drawn. It is an attack that can beat opponents in many ways and have different people step up and contribute in a big way.
The starting rotation and bullpen have also been strengths of the team to rally around all season long. Though the rotation doe snot have that clear cut, ace pitcher that every team loves to have, especially when the postseason arrives, Pittsburgh has a rotation that in rhythm and know show to keep their teams in games and allow the offense to go to work and put up runs. Edinson Volquez and Gerrit Cole have been God sends to this staff as they have led it with 12 and 11 wins respectively.
As for the bullpen, it is lead by their shutdown closer in Mark Melancon and the left hander Tony Watson. Both relievers have sub 2 ERA which is remarkable considering how much work both have been put into during this regular season. Melancon has taken to the closers role and has ran with it as he has converted 32 of 36 save attempts. Watson has been an amazing story, not only for his 1.44 ERA but his 10-1 record, which ranks him 3rd on the pitching staff in total wins.
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