The Pittsburgh Pirates play Wednesday evening and it could be their last game. Okay, let's chill on the dramatics. The Pirates meet the St. Louis Cardinals and we bring you all the info you need to know with a dash of our flavor as we look at projected starting lineups and analyze the Pirates' starting pitcher. Here are the facts.
Game Time: 8 p.m. ET
Starting Pitcher: Gerrit Cole
Fans will once again witness excellence taking the mound. It's a win-win situation for Cole as the 23-year-old right-hander takes the mound for the Pirates. If he gets rocked, Cole is still a valiant hero in the Pirates' pitching rotation. He was not supposed to start this game. Had A.J. Burnett done his job in Game 1, then the Pirates would have a veteran on the mound instead of their fresh 2011 first round pick taking the ball in a pressure situation.
If Cole succeeds, which he has done so frequently in the past, then he will really be a hero and the clear MVP for the Pirates, though no such award exists in the League Division Series.
The last time Cole tasted defeat was Aug. 29, more than a month ago. He has won five consecutive starts, including Game 2 where he completely shut down the Cardinals, pitching six innings of one-run ball, while allowing two hits, a walk and striking out five. With these numbers, it only makes sense to have the youngster on the mound, especially after that dominant performance in Game 2. However, the Cardinals are retaliating with their secret weapon, that is no secret, Adam Wainwright.
The big right-hander will give the Cardinals trouble, like he did in Game 1 of the series. Cardinals' manager Mike Matheny took a chance placing Michael Wacha on the mound, but he had faith in his rookie and the rookie prevailed. Having saved their best pitcher for this crucial and decisive Game 5, the Cardinals have the edge in tonight's matchup.
What can the Pirates do?
Well, they could start by striking out less, although that is easier said than done. The Pirates struck out nine times against Wainwright in Game 1. However, they have had success against the All-Star righty, getting seven runs over 14 innings against Wainwright back in July and August. People need to get on base in front of Alvarez. Russell Martin has not been swinging the bat well, but his two hits have been huge, driving in four RBI in the series. Martin is Alvarez's protection. So McCutchen and Morneau have to get on base.
Here's a projected lineup that might work.
1. Starlin Marte LF
2. Marlon Byrd RF
3. Andrew McCutchen CF
4. Justin Morneau 1B
5. Pedro Alvarez 3B
6. Russell Martin C
7. Neil Walker 2B
8. Clinton Barmes SS
9. Gerrit Cole P
It would be really extravagant, but placing Cole ahead of Barmes, or whoever mans the shortstop position tonight, would not be a bad idea. Cole has as many hits as Marte and Walker combined. Walker has yet to get a hit, but manager Clint Hurdle continues to stick with him at the top of the lineup. The playoffs are about making adjustments on the fly and the Pirates are not adjusting their lineup.
Byrd possesses power and he's guaranteed to get good pitches to hit with McCutchen batting behind him. The recipe has not worked for Walker through four games, so it's about time he took a dip in the batting order.
