Big Bucs

The Giants head for the White House to receive congratulations for their World Series win, but they also head east on a road trip with a five game losing streak.  The Pirates, who more than survived their difficult West Coast trip, came up big and won three straight over the Giants.  They looked like the potential world champs some predicted they could be, before the season started.  They featured two brilliant starts by Cole and Liriano around a good enough to win start by Burnett, with Cutch continuing his blistering hitting and some other erstwhile quiet Pirates bats (Jody Mercer, big time) coming alive.

The Giants reverted to their old recipe for losing--though Hudson and Vogelsong had strong starts, Chris Heston didn't, an apparently overstretched bullpen under-performed and the timely hits were scarce, plus untimely errors and mental mistakes.  The Pirates bullpen was not perfect but strong enough not to allow late inning comebacks.

The Pirates certainly look better than their record, with starting pitching and power conspicuous strengths.  It's going to be an interesting season.