Over the last ten seasons, before the Pirates' unlikely sweep of the Cubs in Pittsburgh last week, the Cubs had dominated the Pirates. From 2000-2009 the overall record between the two teams was Cubs 95 wins, Pirates 66, and it was even more pronounced the last two years -- 24-8 Cubs.
That ended in dramatic fashion last week in Pittsburgh. Before that, the last sweep of the Cubs by the Pirates was at Wrigley Field almost exactly ten years ago, on May 5-6-7, 2000; the 2000 Cubs and Pirates were both 90+ loss teams. For amusement (or shock) value, check out this boxscore from the May 6, 2000 game, an 11-9 Cubs loss in which they blew a 9-5 lead in the ninth inning.
There is still time for the Cubs to get back into serious playoff contention. With the Cardinals' sweep in St. Louis at the hands of the Astros (guess that makes the Cubs losing two of three to Houston at home look not quite so bad, right?), the entire National League is only nine games top to bottom. If you eliminate the best record (Padres, and who would have guessed that when spring training ended?) and worst (Astros), the other 14 teams are within 7.5 games. Every NL team has flaws -- all 16 of them. There's no reason the Cubs can't start overcoming some of their flaws and put together a winning streak -- starting today.
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Tom Gorzelanny made one start and one relief appearance against his former team, the Pirates, last year, throwing well in both games. The current Pirate who has faced him most is former Cub Ronny Cedeno (4-for-14). No current Pirate has homered off Gorz, who has allowed only one dinger this year.
The Cubs made Brian Burres look like Sandy Koufax in his start against them last week in Pittsburgh. All I can say is: that's enough of that noise.
Today's game is on WGN and FSN Pittsburgh. Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Pirates site Bucs Dugout.
Tonight's first pitch thread will be up at 1:15 pm CDT, and the overflows will post at 2:15, 3:15 and 4 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.