AJ Burnett

AJ Burnett is another reason this team is doing so well so far.  He leads the National League in strike out with 57 and has an ERA of 2.57.  His contract runs out with the Pirates after this year and if I were the Pirates I would definitely try to keep him around for another year or two.

Starling Marte

Starling Marte has been great so far this season as a leadoff hitter.  He leads the National League in hits with 40.  He is batting well over .300 and is one stolen base behind Juan Pierre with 10.  He is the the spark this team has been missing for years at the top of the order.

Cutch

Cutch get a day off today.  He has been struggling at the plate going 2 for his last 26.  So hopefully he can clear his mind and start hitting.  I am not worried.  He struggled a little last year but put up MVP caliber numbers.

1st Place

1st place after 25 games.  After a poor start this team has won 14 of their last 19 games.  The last time the Pirates had 15 wins in the month of April was 1992.  That was the last year we had a winning season.

Jason Grilli

This guy has been great in the closer role.  He is 6 of 6 and throwing gas.  Joel Hanrahan WHO??

A Great Homestand

The Pirates had 9 straight home games and won 7 of them.  They are starting to get on a roll.  They swept the Reds, split with the Cardinals, and took 3 out of 4 from the hot Braves.  They are now half game out of 1st.  There record is 10-8.  Not bad after starting 1-5.

Starling Marte

Starling Marte is off to a great start this year.  He is tearing the cover off the baseball.  There have been questions about his plate discipline in the minor leagues and not taking enough walks.  Usually lead off hitters work the count and walk more but if Marte can keep doing what he is doing I don't think anyone will complain.