FanPost

Is This A Different Pirate Team?

I have commented a number of times over the past few season that the Pirate teams lacked leadership, the will to win, and in another word "moxie". While they lacked talent for sure, the players did not seem to put forth the effort.. Sure it is hard when you are 15 games out by the All-Star break, but you still have to play the rest of the games. And playing hard is what you are paid to do.

This team (and in some ways last years team as well) seems to have the ability to play hard, bounce back, and win games they previously lost. It helps to not have your pitcher give up a zillion runs in the 1st inning, but it seems even when they do that this team fights back. I don't think they have that many come back wins, but it seems they have found a formula to win.

The question is why? Is it more talent, Clint Hurdle, better coaching, less tolerance for poor play (Hurdle handling of Presley and now Tabata is a change), or is it just better pitching which makes a difference? Could it be the leadership of Walker and McCutchen?

Your comments please.

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