The Pittsburgh Pirates are a major league baseball team. And there's some indication they might not be nearly as bad this season as they have been in recent years. But that's no excuse to lose three-out-of-four at home to them. Yesterday's game could have easily broken the Reds' way, especially if a couple of those 13 runners hadn't been left on base. Pythogoras thinks the Reds should be 10-5, so it's time to reclaim the win that's owed.
I mentioned Edinson Volquez's first-inning problems earlier today. Travis Wood had some of his own during his second start of the season in Arizona, but bounced back nicely in his third start in San Diego. While he was solid against the Padres, he wasn't very pitch-efficient - throwing 98 through 6.2 IP. Now he's back home, hoping to help his team salvage a series split. And I want to let him.
Someone on the staff ought to step forward and be dominant. Not for the sake of claiming some kind of special designation, but because - while we all love Sam LeCure - this team is going to have a difficult time clinging to first if he's the de facto ace.