Inge comes to Pittsburgh

David Todd (@DTonPirates) tweeted at 3:45 PM on Tue, Apr 23, 2013: As mentioned this morning Brandon Inge will be activated soon. Soon happens to be now. Starting & playing 3rd tonight vs. Hammels. #Pirates

I have to say we all saw this coming. It was only a matter of time. I don't know how Hurdle, who loves matchups will fare without a lefty on the bench.

Having Inge and John McDonald on the bench seems duplicitous. This will put an end to the Russell Martin experimentation though, which is good.

My only thought is when are they going to let Pedro face lefties? Granted tonight against Hamels might not be best, but eventually he needs exposure and you need the power in the lineup.

Opening Day

While it is going to be a cold one for the home opener, it surely warms the hearts of Pirate fans to see baseball back. Last season gave many good that something was around the corner to end the streak, but the collapse if epic proportions happened to extend the streak another season.

This year many good that the good we saw last season can continue. There was not much in the off season to inspire hope, but then again the past few have not done that either.

The club enters the season with one less divisional foe, Houston joining the American league, that will likely change the dynamic in the division. Who knows if it changes in the benefit if the club or not.

It will be an uphill battle for sure. The team will still be an underdog. Can they break the streak and perhaps go further? I want to believe. Hopefully we can be rewarded for the belief.

Bringing Silver to the Steel City

Watch "MLB I Play Commercial: Andrew McCutchen" on YouTube

Probably one of the cooler commercials I have seen. Add to it that this is a national spot and it is even better.

For those that read headlines only

Pirates lose final spring training game to the Curve, 8-6

I am willing to bet most of yinzer nation will read that headline and think the Pirates are a laughing stock. If anyone brothers to read further you will see that it was essentially an intra squad game.

Pirates Sign With Altoona

Pirates extend Player Development Contract with Curve through 2018

In what should not be a surprise, the club extends their agreement until 2018. That likely makes it the longest in recent franchise history and soon likely one of longest in all of organized baseball.

Swing at what you like

Andrew McCutchen’s Controlled Aggression

Fangraphs Jack Moore takes a look at what makes Andrew McCutchen successful at the plate. Moore also looks at his history in the minors as well.

Long story short, a mechanical adjustment to keeps his hands in, combined with an already good eye, allows McCutchen to get the most out of his small build and swing. Added to that an aggressive attacking mentality at what he can hit, coupled again with plate discipline, make him very dangerous at the plate.

Blass Disease Season

H.C.B.C. - Celebrating '73

Rob Neyer talks a little about the 1973 Pirates that squandered an opportunity to win the division. In that season, manager Bill Virdon stuck with Glass through his struggles and played Manny Sanguillen in right replacing Roberto Clemente. Both were disasters and the Bucs lost the division, what would have been four straight titles, by two games.