Game 83: Pirates vs Astros - July 6, 2009

I am back once again with my game day predictions via MLB 09 The Show. Sorry that these have become so sporadic this year...it's extremely time consuming to play the game and then post a report on here. It's even more difficult when I wait until just a couple of house before the game to play with the actual line-ups for the day's game. So, much like today, I will play and post when it's most convenient for me, use an assumed line-up and hope that it's pretty close to being accurate.

I realized one mistake already for today's game prediction. I believe Freddy Sanchez is going to be sitting out today's real life game due to a tweak in his back. I accidentally left him on today's roster. Anyhow, the Pirates haven't fared well at all against the real life Mike Hampton, so let's see if they can break the streak of losses against him in tonight's game.

Here's the MLB 09 The Show Recap:

The Pirates started off to a great start against the difficult Mike Hampton early. After McCutchen and Wilson flied out, Freddy Sanchez singled, followed by an Adam LaRoche home run. Pirates are ahead 2-0 after 1 inning.

More scoring in the third for the Buccos as Sanchez scores on an Adam LaRoche double. 3-0 Pirates after 3.

In the 4th, Steve Pearce scores after a Virgil Vasquez sac bunt. 4-0 after 4 innings of play.

Two more Pirate runs in the 5th as Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez score on an Andy LaRoche trip-trip-triple. 6-0 Pirates after 5 innings.

Houston scores in the 6th off a Miguel Tejada solo home run. 6-1 after 6 innings.

The Pirates tack on 3 more runs in the 7th as Garret Jones, batting 7th in the order, hits a bases loaded triple, scoring Adam and Andy LaRoche and Steve Pearce. 9-1 after 7 innings.

The final run came in the bottom of the 9th inning as Michael Bourn hits a 1 out solo home run.

Final Score: PIT 9 HOU 2

Stats of the Game:
PIT - Vasquez 8.0 innings - 1 run - 8 hits - 0 BB - 4 Ks; Ad. LaRoche 4-5 - 2B - HR - 4 RBIs
HOU - Hampton 4+ innings - 6 runs - 9 hits - 1 K; Tejada 3-4 - HR - 1 RBI

Game 70: Cleveland Indians (29-42) v. Pittsburgh Pirates (31-38) MLB 09 Prediction

Now that my summer vacation from work is in full swing, it is time I get back into the habit of posting my MLB 09 The Show Game Predictions. This will be the first one in quite sometime. I apologize for not getting more up, but whatever, it's not like people read this blog anyhow.

Tonight, the Pittsburgh Pirates will host the Cleveland Indians in Interleague play. The Pirates have not done well in Interleague play (67-108 if I count correctly). They are 4-5 this year in Interleague play. However, this year, they have done well at home (17-12). They are also coming off a 4 game losing streak, which includes a 3-game sweep by the red hot Colorado Rockies.

The Indians are not faring much better than the Pirates. They have a wrose record, are coming in on a 6 game losing streak, and have done worse than the Pirates this year in Interleague play (3-6). Overall, they are 111-108. The Indians are on a 6 game losing streak. Both teams are due of some wins.

Based on the game I played this morning, the Indians will win tonight's game. I've gone supergeek with this and printed off scorecards for each team. It'll save a lot of typing time.





















Click images to read them.

Lets Go Bucs!

Game #8 Prediction: HOU 7 PIT 8

Pirates home opener is today and here is the prediction for the opener thanks to MLB: The Show. Bottom of the 13th, bases loaded, Freddy blasts a 2 run, game winning double to CF to cap off an exciting extra innings game.

Click here for the box score

Even though I haven't posted predictions for a couple of days, the fantasy Pirates record is 3-5.

Slacker

So I've been slacking a bit on my game predictions this week. It has been busy at work the past few days and this weekend looks to be no different. Since I'm on break for a few days though, I will probably play a couple of games over the weekend and post results on game day. That means rosters may not be accurate...but we only care about the outcome. I would also expect a complete and accurate roster following the Home Opener on Monday. Jason Jaramillo will have played his first game by then.

It's too bad Evan Meek isn't on the real life roster. He's been doing well so far in the game. Now, in the real world of baseball...

2-2 coming out of St. Louie isn't too bad. I expect the Buccos to take 2 out of 3 in Cincy this weekend. The momentum will be lacking on Monday though. Snell is pitching against Aaron Harang Sunday and I'm expecting a repeat performance of Tuesday's game against the Cards.

Game #2 Prediction PIT 3 STL 4

It was another thriller between the Pirates and Cardinals in the second game of the season. Ian Snell had a bit of a rough start allowing 4 runs in the first three innings. He was able to settle down and keep the Cards from scoring. The Pirates scored a run in the 3rd, 7th, and 8th. In an attempt to rally the Buccos loaded the bases in the top of the 9th with 2 outs, however, Pearce struck out and was thrown out as the pitch went wild. Good game, check out the stats below.

(0-1) Pittsburgh Pirates 3
(1-0) St. Louis Cardinals 4
Final

Pitching Stats

Pittsburgh Pirates
Ian Snell 6.0 innings/8 H/4 R/4 ER/1 BB/8 K/6.00 ERA
Evan Meek 1.0 innings/1 H/0 R/0 ER/0 BB/0 K/0.00 ERA
Tyler Yates 1.0 innings/0 H/0 R/0 ER/0 BB/1 K/0.00 ERA

St. Louis Cardinals
Chris Carpenter 7.1 innings/7 H/3 R/3 ER/0 BB/2 K/3.68 ERA
Dennys Reyes 0.2 innings/1 H/0 R/0 ER/0 BB/1 K/3.38 ERA
Chris Perez 1 inning/2 H/0 R/0 ER/0 BB/1 K/0.00 ERA

Hitting Stats

Pittsburgh Pirates
Nyjer Morgan 4 AB/1 R/1 H/0 RBI/0 BB/0 K/.200
Nate McLouth 4 AB/0 R/3 H/1 RBI/0 BB/1 K/.700 (two doubles)
Freddy Sanchez 4 AB/0 R/1 H/0 RBI/0 BB/0 K/.100
Ryan Doumit 4 AB/0 R/0 H/0 RBI/0 BB/2 K/.333
Adam LaRoche 4 AB/1 R/1 H/1 RBI/0 BB/0 K/.222 (home run)
Andy LaRoche 4 AB/0 R/0 H/0 RBI/0 BB/0 K/.222
Brandon Moss 4 AB/0 R/2 H/0 RBI/0 BB/0 K/.444 (one double)
Jack Wilson 3 AB/1 R/1 H/0 RBI/0 BB/0 K/.250 (one double)
b-Eric Hinske 1 AB/0 R/1 H/0 RBI/0 BB/0 K/1.000
Ian Snell 1 AB/0 R/0 H/0 RBI/0 BB/0 K/.000
Evan Meek 0 AB/0 R/0 H/0 RBI/0 BB/0 K/.000
a-Ramon Vasquez 1 AB/0 R/0 H/0 RBI/0 BB/0 K/.000
Tyler Yates 0 AB/0 R/0 H/0 RBI/0 BB/0 K/.000
c-Steve Pearce 1 AB/0 R/0 H/0 RBI/0 BB/1 K/.000
a-Batted for Meek in the 8th
b-Batted for Wilson in the 9th
c-Batted for Yates in the 9th

St. Louis Cardinals
Scott Schumaker 4 AB/0 R/0 H/0 RBI/0 BB/1 K/.000
Chris Duncan 4 AB/1 R/3 H/0 RBI/0 BB/0 K/.600
Albert Pujols 4 AB/1 R/1 H/0 RBI/0 BB/2 K/.400 (double)
Ryan Ludwick 4 AB/2 R/3 H/3 RBI/0 BB/0 K/.444 (double, triple, home run)
Rick Ankiel 4 AB/0 R/1 H/1 RBI/0 BB/1 K/.333
Khalil Greene 3 AB/0 R/1 H/0 RBI/1 BB/1 K/.250 (double)
Yadier Molina 4 AB/0 R/0 H/0 RBI/0 BB/2 K/.000
Joe Mather 3 AB/0 R/0 H/0 RBI/0 BB/1 K/.167
Chris Carpenter 3 AB/0 R/0 H/0 RBI/0 BB/1 K/.000
Dennys Reyes 0 AB/0 R/0 H/0 RBI/0 BB/0 K/.000
Chris Perez 0 AB/0 R/0 H/0 RBI/0 BB/0 K/.000

Opening Day Prediction: PIT 4 STL 7

Once again, I've purchased MLB The Show for my PSP. I love this game. I think it's the best baseball game out there right now. One day, when I get some money and can afford a PS3, I'll get it for that. Anyhow, I'm going to attempt to play the Buccos scheduled game prior to the real world game. I played the Opener on Saturday and here are the results:

Pittsburgh Pirates 4
St. Louis Cardinals 7
Final 12 innings

Pitching Stats
Paul Maholm 6.1 innings/6 H/4 R/2 ER/5 K/0 BB/oHR/27 BF/2.84 ERA
Evan Meek 1.2 innings/2 H/0 R/0 ER/1 K/0 BB/0 HR/ 6 BF/0.00 ERA
John Grabow 2.0 innings/2 H/0 R/0 ER/2 K/0 BB/0 HR/8 BF/0.00 ERA
Jesse Chavez 1.1 innings/1 H/2 R/2 ER/1 K/1 BB/0 HR/6 BF/13.50 ERA (0-1)

Adam Wainwright 5.0 innings/10 H/3 R/3 ER/1 K/0 BB/0 HR/22 BF/5.40 ERA
Trever Miller 2.0 innings/2 H/0 R/0 ER/3 K/0 BB/0 HR/8 BF/0.00 ERA
Dennys Reyes 2.0 innings/3 H/1 R/1 ER/2 K/0 BB/1 HR/9 BF/4.50 ERA
Ryan Franklin 3.0 innings/0 H/0 R/0 ER/1 K/0 BB/0 HR/9 BF/0.00 ERA (1-0)

Hitting Stats
Nyjer Morgan 6 AB/1 H/1 K/0 BB/0 R/0 RBI/0 HR/.167
Freddy Sanchez 6 AB/0 H/0 K/0 BB/0 R/0 RBI/0 HR/.000
Nate McLouth 6 AB/4 H/0 K/0 BB/0 R/0 RBI/0 HR/.667
Adam LaRoche 5 AB/1 H/2 K/0 BB/0 R/0 RBI/0 HR/.200
Ryan Doumit 5 AB/3 H/0 K/0 BB/2 R/1 RBI/1 HR/.600
Andy LaRoche 5 AB/2 H/0 K/0 BB/1 R/0 RBI/0 HR/.400
Brandon Moss 5 AB/2 H/2 K/0 BB/1 R/1 RBI/0 HR/.400 (two doubles)
Jack Wilson 5 AB/1 H/1 K/0 BB/0 R/1 RBI/0 HR/.200
Paul Maholm 2 AB/0 H/1 K/0 BB/0 R/1 RBI/0 HR/.000
Eric Hinske 1 AB/1 H/0 K/0 BB/0 R/0 RBI/0 HR/1.000 (one double)
Robinson Diaz 1 AB/0 H/0 K/0 BB/0 R/0 RBI/0 HR/.000

Albert Pujols 6 AB/3 H/1 K/0 BB/1 R/3 RBI/1 HR/.500
Brian Barton 6 AB/1 H/1 K/0 BB/1 R/0 RBI/0 HR/.200
Rick Ankiel 5 AB/2 H/1 K/1 BB/3 R/1 RBI/0 HR/.400
Yadier Molina 5 AB/0 H/1 K/0 BB/0 R/0 RBI/0 HR/.000
Ryan Ludwick 5 AB/1 H/2 K/0 BB/0 R/1 RBI/0 HR/.200
Khalil Greene 5 AB/1 H/0 K/0 BB/1 R/1 RBI/0 HR/.200
Brenden Ryan 5 AB/2 H/2 K/0 BB/0 R/0 RBI/0 HR/.400
Joe Mather 3 AB/1 H/1 K/0 BB/0 R/0 RBI/0 HR/.333
Adam Wainwright 2 AB/0 H/0 K/0 BB/0 R/0 RBI/0 HR/.000
Scott Schumaker 0 AB/0 H/0 K/0 BB/0 R/1 RBI/0 HR/.000 (sacrifice fly)
Jason LaRue 1 AB/1 H/0 K/0 BB/1 R/0 RBI/0 HR/1.000
Joe Thurston 1 AB/0 H/0 K/0 BB/0 R/0 RBI/0 HR/.000
Brian Barden 0 AB/0 H/0 K/0 BB/0 R/0 RBI/0 HR/.000 (sacrafice hit)
Chris Duncan 1 AB/0 H/0 K/0 BB/0 R/0 RBI/0 HR/.000

Obviously the rosters aren't completely accurate. That should change once some players get some MLB playing time. Once that happens, I will be able to download the accurate rosters from the MLB: The Show internet thing and have, hopefully, more accurate rosters. Looks like we could be in for a nice game tomorrow in St. Louis.

Update 4:14pm 4.6.09: The Pirates had three throwing errors in this game. Andy LaRoche, Freddy Sanchez, and Jack Wilson all had throwing errors on routine grounders.

Lets Go Bucs!