The Importance of McCutchen (2-4)

The Pirates were up 2-0 on the Texas Rangers and lost. Ohlendorf struggled with the second time through the Ranger line up, and the power the Rangers have and the Pirates do not have cost them the game 6-3. The Pirates out hit the Ragners 10-7, but still lost. Why?

The reason is the play of McCutchen. He is the carrier for this team. As goes McCutchen so go the Pirates. He wore the collar last night and thus the Pirates lost even though they got a 3 for 4 night out of Bobby Crosby.

This all goes back to my theory of every team needing one carrier (a guy who hits for average and extra bases), and championship teams need 2. You then need an RBI guy, of which Garret Jones is starting to look like one. He has a 12 game hit streak and got an RBI last night. You need a lead off guy, which Tabata will be, but he is slumping right now. Then you need a power threat. The Pirates do not have that as Doumit is not living up to his ability.

McCutchen is the carrier for the Pirates. He had an off night, which players will have, and a 10 hit night turned into only 3 runs. On the positive side Alvarez is showing signs of being our second carrier. His hit last night turned into a run, his first ever. When Alvarez does something it turns out great for the Pirates. His first hit, an RBI double. The next game, a game winning sacrifice fly. This game a base hit that sees him advance and score (thanks in part to an error). This is a good sign.

That said this game tonight is the best chance for the Pirates to take one in Arlington.