Tonight, The Pirates play the Padres in the 2nd game of this series.

Pitching Match-Up

Pirates
Zach Duke
(4-7) 4.92 ERA with 49 K's this season

Padres
Cha Seung Baek
(0-1) 5.40 ERA with 15 K's this season

Low-Down
Zach Duke is a good pitcher, but has had some serious question marks surrounding his consistency this season. However, I don't see that becoming an dissue due to San Diego's weak batting order.

Key Factor
Tonight's key factor will be how long Duke spends time in the game. The longer he is on the mound, the longer the Padres will be kept from taking the lead. If Duke gives us a solid 6 innings, I'll be happy and comfortable putting Tyler Yates in for relief.

Prediction
Pirates-11, Padres- 3
The Pirates are on a hot streak of late, taking down the Astros and Padres to win 4 straight. I see the winning streak continuing tonight with a 5th straight win, 11-3 Buccos.

-Mike Greenspire

Tonight the Pirates take on the San Diego Padres from PNC Park.

Pitching Match-Up

Pirates
Yoslan Herrera
(0-1) 19.50 ERA with 5 K's this season

Padres
Clay Hensley
(1-0) 0.00 ERA with 3 K's this season

Low-Down
Herrera did ot have a good outing last time against Colorado. His ERA rocketed up to 19.50 after giving up plenty of runs in one inning of work. I think that he will do better at home, and the Padres line-up is not terrific, either, so I see his ERA shooting downwards fast tonight.

Key Factor
Tonight's key factor will be for Herrera to not dig holes for the Pirates offense to climb out of. He needs to get his pitches under control and keep the Padres from getting base-runners. If the Pirates can put some run support up on the board, I think Herrera will play more relaxed and comfortable.

Prediction
Pirates- 8, Padres- 5
I think the Pirates are doing quite good lately for what people give them credit for. Ryan Doumit is doing great the past few games, so I see him being one of the offensive players to watch out for. 8-5 Bucs.

-Mike Greenspire

Well, does anyone want to see Francisco Rodriguez break Thigpen's record of 57 saves?

K-Rod currently has 42 saves, which means he only has to save 1 out of every 4 games from this point on to tie Thigpen's record.

Let me hear your thoughts on this topic. Personally, I think it is inevitable that he breaks it this year. As long as he doesn't hurt himself.

The Angels put him in for ONE OUT last night. One out! The final out in the 9th inning was up to him to make, and the Angels put him in there so he would be that much closer to breaking the record.

I thought it was a cool move, but some people may have taken it too seriously. I'm not sure what other people's reactions are yet, but I can see where fans of the losing team may be disgruntled. I don't think they should be, however.

That's all I got, lemme hear your take.

-Mike Greenspire

The Pirates take on the Houston Astros today from the AstroDome in the final game of this series.

Pitching Match-Up

Pirates
Ian Snell
(3-8) 5.83 ERA with 76 K's this season

Astros
Brian Moehler
(5-4) 4.03 ERA with 47 K's this season

Low-Down
Ian Snell has struggled mightily this season, but is very passionate about the game he plays. When he gets taken out o####ame, he is usually beside himself and looks disappointed in his play. Today, though, I think there will be no need for that, because I see Snell pitching quite a good game.

Key Factor
Today's key factor will be how well Snell responds if the Pirates offense scores first, which I think they will. If he can stay out of trouble, and the Pirates offense can give him comfortable run support, then I think he'll throw a better game.

Prediction
Pirates- 7, Astros- 4
The Buccos have a lot of guys getting hot right now. 1B Adam LaRoche and C Ryan Doumit are really putting together great years, as well as back-up OF, Jason Michaels, who would more than make up for a loss of Xavier Nady if a trade for him were to happen. 7-4 Buccos.

-Mike Greenspire

The Pirates play the Astros from Houston in the 2nd of this 3-game series tonight.

Pitching Match-Up

Pirates
Paul Maholm
(6-6) 4.10 ERA with 82 K’s this season

Astros
Jack Cassel
(1-0) 6.28 ERA with 6 K’s this season

Low-Down
Paul Maholm is th best pitcher on our team, and I don’t care who the Astros send out there, he will pitch a better game than him. The offense had a good night last night, as Steady Freddy Sanchez hit an inside-the-park home run that helped the Pirates score 7 runs in the ninth to win the game.

Key Factor
Tonight’s key factor will be how well the Pirate offense does to give Maholm run support. I believe that Maholm can get us out of any jam, but the offense is random at best and that will be what makes or breaks this game for the Buccos.

Prediction
Pirates- 10, Astros- 4
The Pirates need this game to maybe start a run at ending up at or above .500. The Astros are worse than the Pirates and that is fact, and I think that tonight will prove me correct. 10-4 Bucs.

-Mike Greenspire