Break up the Buccos

By STU ARL
Blog on the Run columnist

Not much to report this week at Stu Arl Headquarters. Had to kill off a Trojan virus last Wednesday night and now following Masters updates on this Thursday.

There wouldn’t be a better sports story than Greg Norman returning to Augusta and pulling off a dramatic win after so many near misses, and his final round collapse against Nick Faldo in 1996.

Early on it’s Ross Fisher at -3 and in the lead with several players including Tiger Woods yet to tee off in their first round.

Enough golf information, time for something real important: the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Buccos off to a 2-1 start, facing the Cardinals this afternoon in the final game of a four-game series. Considering the Pirates will win about 55 games, it’s a surprise any time they take three games or even two games in a four-game road series.

It’s been a fun stretch for my Pittsburgh sports teams. Penguins in a thrilling Stanley Cup Finals last year, Steelers winning a great Super Bowl over the Cardinals, but the Pirates are looking at their record-breaking 17th losing season in a row.

This team battles under second-year manager John Russell but they’re missing two main elements – offensive production and starting pitching. They haven’t been able to replace the power they lost last year in trading away Jason Bay and Xavier Nady, which wasn’t that great to begin with. When Paul Maholm is the No. 1 starter, Ian Snell No. 2 and Ross Ohlendorf No. 4, you have issues in the starting rotation.

I’d also sell Andy LaRoche becoming a productive Major League hitter. In 2007 with the Dodgers, he hit .226 in 35 games, in 2008 with the Dodgers, he hit .203 in 27 games, in 2008 with the Pirates, he hit .152 in 49 games and so far this season he’s a whopping 0-for-6 (.000).

Stu Arl lives in South Florida.