Welcome Aboard Chris Archer

[PAMDGrappler]

A huge debut tonight against the Cardinals.  Can Archer be the staff ace to lead the Pirates into the playoffs?  What does everyone expect tonight and through the rest of the season?

[dadw/2sons]

Things didn't go as planned, but a win is a win. Saw some good things from both Archer and Kela. They are a better team with both additions. Is it enough this year? I don't know, but they are playing hard.

[Manfred]

1 game does not shape the rest of the season, although providing an unclear glimpse of what -could- be.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Wasn’t his greatest game, but Mercer’s error and Frazier and Marte losing that fly ball in the fifth didn’t help. Probably could have made it through the inning had those plays been made. 

[PAMDGrappler]

Mercer’s error was huge. That was a tailor made double play!

[223113]

I thought Archer was less than impressive, in his first game as a Pirate. But, he does bring a different kind of energy to the team.

Rest of the season, and can Archer be the Ace?

I believe the Bucs cannot win the Division, at this point, so it'll have to be a Wild Card spot. I think the 2nd Wild Card will need an Absolute Minimum of 89 Wins. Might end up 90, or 91, but no less than 89.

That means the Bucs need to go 32-19 over the remaining 51 games. Tall order, but doable.
Archer will probably get 10 more starts. If he can either win, or keep the Pirates in a position to win, 8 of those 10 games, then he will be performing as their Ace. That would leave 24 wins that have to come from the other starters keeping the Pirates in games, and the bullpen needs to deliver.

For me, Archer's first start was about the Pirates outscoring the Cards, not Archer's pitching. When you score 7 Runs, that can cover a multitude of shortcomings (average pitching, errors, etc.).

If the Buc's Offense pounds the ball down the stretch, then they "might" squeeze into that 2nd Wild Card spot.

[EaglealumsGhost]

Bucs just got Hechavarria fromrays too. I like it... bat no better than Mercer but glove 10x better and 3x the range

[Crimson's Ghost]

He's at least better than Sean Rodriguez, right?

[EaglealumsGhost]

As far as defensive metrics and WAR... he’s better than both

[PAMDGrappler]

Archer doesn’t look very sharp again today, although I think he’s under the weather.  On a different note, how many innings has Cora run the Pirates out of?  He’s one of the worst 3B coaches in the league in my opinion.