Pirates Series Recap: Pirates Struggle in Miami

As I write this article, the windows are open, the birds are chirping, and I may have disturbed my neighbors when Cutch sent the ball into orbit with the original Tony Plush in the stands. Spring is here, and most importantly, baseball is here. 

This series had all the roller coaster ups and downs that an Opening Series could have. The Pirates ran at will against the Marlins' battery, and there were some adventures with the defense in the outfield.

While the Pirates could have gone into Sunday trying to win a series, they were battling for a series split. The Marlins had three walk-offs, one in extra innings, and all four games in this series were decided by one run. That was the formula we thought the Pirates would play with going into the season. 

The rest of this article will feature my positive and negative takeaways from the season's first series.

CAPTAIN SKENES

Paul Skenes was MLB's youngest Opening Day Starter since the late Jose Fernandez in 2014. Skenes did not disappoint as he went over on his strikeouts and had the third most swings and misses for an Opening Day starter this season.

However, a theme in Skenes's young career is his need to be more efficient. We know he is a strikeout pitcher, but the Marlins' ability to choke up on the bat and fight off Skenes' two-strike pitches added close to 20 to his pitch count. 

Skenes had 16 swings and misses, but the Marlins could also fight off 17 two-strike pitches. With the high-leverage relievers already having trouble, giving up Skenes' three-run lead, the Pirates' Ace will have to go as deep into games as possible. That means he will have to put away batters in an efficient manner.

It was known that during Opening Day 2024, only one starter pitched more than 100 pitches, and none of the Opening Day starters from the previous year went six innings. Skenes pitched well enough to combat the six-inning feat, throwing 91 pitches over 5.1 innings.

THE RUNNING BUCS

Overall, teams in Major League Baseball stole over 70 bases through the Opening Weekend. The Pirates accounted for 15 of those, and Oniel Cruz and Isiah Kiner-Falefa rank the top two in MLB in stolen bases with four and three, respectively.

The Pirates pushed the envelope against the Marlins' defense with the most stolen bases through three games in the Modern Era (14). They also did it with the baserunning after hits. 

There were instances of players turning a single into a double, such as Cutch and the ear ball in game one, as well as Bryan Reynolds' double in game four. Also, Oneil Cruz got third on an errant throw by the catcher in game two, and, in turn, scored on the next batter.

These are things that the Pirates will have to do to win games. While things weren't always perfect, such as Adam Frazier getting thrown out at second in game two, these will lead to wins for the Pirates.

And now for some negatives

SITUATIONAL BASEBALL

The baseball played in this series was far from a Picasso painting. Many things stuck out as negatives. Things like the bullpen and Oneil Cruz in center field are low-hanging fruit. What bothered me the most in this series was the Pirates' lack of fundamental baseball at certain times.

Yes, like Oneil Cruz overthrowing the cutoff man twice and letting runners get into scoring position, which then scored later in the inning. Also, Cruz's lack of hustle with two outs on Jack Suwinski's double in the first inning on Saturday. And, don't worry, we will come back to Suwiski as well, but with the roster the Pirates line up every day, things will have to be close to perfect. They have to be situationally aware, and, in this series, they were far from it.

Outfield play by Suwinski in Saturday's game when he dove for a ball, turning a single into a double, which eventually scored the tying run for the Marlins. Bob Walk tried to play it off on the radio, but it was a mistake. Yes, the baserunner is one of the best runners in the Show, and he may have ended up on second anyway, but you have to be aware!

As I write this, Ji Hwan Bae got thrown out at third base with two outs in the eighth inning. Whatever happened to not making the first or third out at third base? He pinch ran for Cutch, shutting down a steal attempt three times. Getting to second on a Suwinski walk, an awful attempt at getting to third, shut the Pirates out of the inning.

Lastly, Mike Rabelo is in extra innings. WHY?

ENDY AT THE PLATE

Endy was my comeback player of the spring, batting over .320 during spring training. That did not translate into the Opening Series. He was not seeing the ball well, as there were multiple pitches in the first two games that were hanging sliders that he did not flinch at. Rodriguez still has a goose egg in the hit column, going 0-for-9 in the series with two walks and a run scored. The Pirates need production from first base, and the gaping hole that has been the first base position for the past decade. Endy could be the answer, but he has to produce.

While he did play a respectable first base, his throws from behind the plate also left a lot to be desired. Especially the over throw in the ninth inning that allowed the game-winning run to advance to third, who scored on a wild pitch to end the game.

And with that, a series loss to the lowly Marlins. The Pirates start the year 1-3 and will travel to Tampa to take on the Rays starting tomorrow. The best thing about baseball is that there will always be another chance to right your wrongs.