3 TAKEAWAYS FROM SLOPPY SERIES LOSS AT WRIGLEY FIELD

Following a sloppy series loss at Wrigley Field, the Pittsburgh Pirates are now 6-5 this season

The Pittsburgh Pirates early season tour of the National League Central Division continued this week. After opening the season with two series against the Cincinnati Reds and one against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pirates got their first look at the Chicago Cubs this week.

At Wrigley Field, the Pirates would go on to play a sloppy three game series against their rival Cubs. The sloppy play of the Bucs led to the team dropping a winnable series against the North Siders.

On top of more sloppy defensive play, the Pirates also saw their series impacted by rain for the second time in the first four series of the 2019 season. After dropping this series against the Cubbies, the Bucs are now 6-5 on the season. This includes being 1-2-1 through their first five series of the season.

Now that the team’s first of three trips to Wrigley Field this season is behind them, it is time to take a look at 3 key takeaways from the team’s series loss. Unfortunately, some of the key takeaways are problems that are quickly becoming trends for the 2019 Pittsburgh Pirates.

INFIELD DEFENSE REMAINS A MAJOR ISSUE

In my Pirate season preview, infield defense was pointed out as a potential problem for the Pirates this season. To say that infield defense has been a problem for the team through their first five series would be an understatement.

The Pirates lead the NL in errors early on this season, and have committed at least one error in five consecutive games. Three of the team’s five losses this season, including both in this series, can be attributed largely to poor infield defense.

By now everyone knows what unfolded Monday afternoon. Kevin Newman, who has since been put on the injured list, committed three errors in the bottom of the 2nd inning leading to the Cubs scoring six unearned runs on their way to victory.

In Thursday night’s loss, bad infield defense reared its ugly head again. Joe Musgrove was cruising for the Pirates have pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings. Jason Heyward then popped up a ball that should have been the second out of the 7th inning. Instead, lack of communication between third baseman Jung Ho Kang and shortstop Erik Gonzalez led to Gonzalez running into Kang and jarring the ball out of third baseman’s glove.

This sparked a two-run rally for the Cubs, leading the Cubbies to victory.

Even in Wednesday night’s victory, the infield defense was less than stellar. Starting pitcher Jordan Lyles failed to field a would be double play ball in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Then in the 7th inning, Adam Frazier committed a two-out error that prolonged the Chicago inning.

This is beginning to sound like a broken record, but it is vital that the Pirates fix their defensive woes. If they do not, it will hold the team back throughout the season.

SHORTSTOP IS A MESS

Entering the offseason the Pittsburgh Pirates had one major hole – shortstop. All the team did to address the position was by trading for Gonzalez, who had largely been a career minor leaguer. In a shocking development, failing to effectively address the position is not going well for the Pirates.

Gonzalez has always been touted as a plus defender at the shortstop position throughout the minor leagues. However, his defense has not lived up to his reputation so far this season. Through the team’s first five series Gonzalez already has three errors to go along with a -1 DRS at shortstop.

On top of his defensive woes, Gonzalez has struggled at the plate. This, unlike his poor defense, comes as no surprise. Gonzalez is slashing just .188/.278/.281 with a wRC+ of 36, lowering his career slash to .258/.293/.381 with a 74 wRC+ in 171 career games.

His primary backup is Newman. Prior to being placed on the IL on Thursday, Newman was slashing just .273/.333/.364 for the Bucs. Led by a -1 DRS and his three error game on Monday, his defense has been abysmal.

Failing to further address shortstop was an inexcusable move. Especially when a player like Jose Iglesias, who has routinely been a 2+ WAR player in his MLB career, signed a minor league deal with the Reds. There is no way around it, the Pirates front office dropped the ball with shortstop this offseason.

THIS STARTING ROTATION IS REALLY, REALLY GOOD

The starting rotation was touted as the strength of the team entering the 2019 season. Five series into the season, the rotation has lived up to the hype.

Jameson Taillon lasted just 2 innings on Monday, but it was due to the defensive shortcomings of Newman. Despite lasting just 2 innings, Taillon did not allow an earned run in the start.

In 62 1/3 innings pitched this season, which does not include Joe Musgrove’s 2 inning relief outing, Pirate starters own a 1.73 ERA. The starting staff has allowed just six home runs, issued 16 walks, and have struck out 63 batters. Through the first two weeks of the season, the team’s starting rotation ranks in the top 5 in the Majors in ERA, HRs allowed, fewest walks issued, and strikeouts.

A strong starting rotation can carry a team. So far this season the Pirate starting rotation has done just that. However, they need the offense to start to produce more and the defense to behind to do its job behind them. No matter how well the starting rotation does if the offense remains inconsistent and the defense poor, this team will not sniff the postseason.