Astros Vs. Pirates, 12 May 2012

J.A. Happ vs. Charlie Morton, 7:05 p.m. I'm flying to California today and will return Monday, so updates from me this weekend may be a little scattered, but I'll try to check in as much as possible.

From David: With the lefty Happ on the hill, Clint Hurdle has loaded the lineup with righties. Thus far this year righties have a .929 OPS in 92 PAs while lefties have a .688 OPS in 37 PAs.

Last night after the game Hurdle said, "We've got to be getting close because it's hard. When it's hard it means you are getting closer." Parsing every sentence uttered by any manager is silly. Many things are said that aren't really meant and others are words of encouragement to both the fanbase and the team. I'm damn sure that Neal Huntington, Clint Hurdle and every fan of the team hopes that Clint Hurdle's words are true. Unfortunately the idea that things will absolutely progress back to the mean get less likely as the season moves on. The team has now played 20% of its schedule, I'd suggest the panic button should be within range. The problem is there are virtually no in-house alternatives to the team's offensive woes and the trade market will be difficult to work at this early date.

For the Bucs:

Jose Tabata 9
Neil Walker 4
Andrew McCutchen 8
Pedro Alvarez 5
Casey McGehee 3
Yamaico Navarro 7
Clint Barmes 6
Michael McKenry 2
Charlie Morton 1