The Pirates were hoping they’d turned around the season after taking three out of four from the Nationals last week, but they followed that up with a sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Guardians. Joe Block reports on yesterday’s loss.
Manager Derek Shelton says the Pirates’ offense needs to be ready to go from the first pitch.
Shelton says Mitch Keller threw well, but the Guardians wore him down.
On The Ben Cherington Show on WCCS yesterday, the Pirates’ general manager said he likes the teams’ pitching, which he expects to get even better. He also said the infield defense is better but the overall defense needs to improve. And the offense needs help.
Cherington says he is always looking for bats.
One piece of the offensive puzzle is first baseman Spencer Horwitz, who yesterday went to Bradenton, Florida to take the next step in his recovery from offseason wrist surgery. Cherington says it will still take a while for Horwitz to get ready.
The Pirates are off to the West Coast this week, with three games against the Angels in Anaheim, starting tomorrow, and three more against the Dodgers in LA. They’ll be back home to face the Cubs next Tuesday.
