5 Opening Day wins in a row

The Pirates beat the Cubs 6-3 to start 2011 off right. This was thanks to Neil Walker's Grand Slam and a later 2 run shot by McCutchen. Correia was good enough allowing 3 runs (2 earned) in 6+ innings of work. He got better as the game went on and was very good after getting a lead. Meek and Hanrahan were excellent and Olsen and Veras got out of the 7th allowing only one run which was credited to Correia.

The Pirates need to work on some things. You know the Pirates are not going to be able to bomb their way to a win every night. Alvarez and Overbay each wasted a chance with runners in scoring position. Your 4 and 5 guys cannot be that bad with runners in position to score. Alvarez also started off the season with a shaky defensive game with an error that lead to a first inning run.

But there were good things. I mean other than McCutchen's multiple hit game, Hanrahan getting a save, and Walker pounding a grand slam. Ryan Doumit threw out a base runner. No kidding. He actually nailed him. Doumit also caught a throw from the outfield to home, but it was too late for the out. Alvarez stole a base. That is right the first steal of the season belongs to Pedro. Hurdle is going to run. I like it. Correia also laid down a perfect bunt, which is a good sign that fundamentals are going to be better this year. Ryan Dempster for the Cubs missed one showing that the bunt is not as automatic as it used to be.

You cannot read too much into an Opening Day, but the Cubs did not look very good, and the Pirates did. The Astros blew a multi run lead in the 9th to the Phillies, and thus the NL Central is looking like a place that the Pirates might actually compete in.