BleacherCoaches.com

The Pirates have a four game set with Atlanta starting tonight. The Braves have recently been eliminated from the playoffs, and just fired some front office execs. The Braves might not be in the best of spirits, and the Pirates are pushing full speed ahead. I like the chances in this series.

The Cardinals are playing so well right now, hard to see Chicago putting up a fight.

The Giants can still pass the Dodgers for the division, so the stakes are high in LA starting tonight.

Monday's Games of note.

Pirates at Braves 7:10 Francisco Liriano (6-10 3.45) vs. Aaron Harang (11-11 3.68)

Cardinals at Cubs 8:05 Adam Wainwright (19-9 2.45) vs. Travis Wood (8-12 4.86)

Giants at Dodgers 10:10 Jake Peavy (6-4 2.16) vs. Dan Haren (13-11 4.14)

The Buccos have to take care of business. They hold a tiebreaker over SF for the home wild card game if they end up in a tie. LA hopefully can do some damage to the Giants in this series.

The pitching matchups are excellent for LA vs SF-
Game 1- Peavy vs. Haren
Game 2- Bumgarner vs Greinke
Game 3- Hudson vs. Kershaw

Magic Number: 2. A win and a Milwaukee loss and the champagne will be flowing. Go Bucs

No help from LA last night. Bucs must keep winning to get that wild card game at home!

Back to back Buctobers!!!

RAISE THE JOLLY ROGER! I'm glad my 84-78 'prediction' fell through. Bring on the playoffs. The Bucs better find a way to extend Martin's contract. Marte is tearing it up since his return. Cutch is ...MVP! JHAY : All Day! Starting pitching lately has been the equal of anyone's aces. Mercer , Walker, Snider, all MORE than adequate! Ike & Gabby get it done when needed, though we'd like a little more! This team can get it done.

Is anyone else pulling for KC in the AL? The fans of that team have endured a long playoff drought, and deserve a playoff game or two. Did I read correctly that they have not been in the playoffs since 1985?

Sure would make for a fun weekend if the Bucs could go in to the final weekend only one game behind the Cards. Let the Cards have to throw Wainwright on the final day to win or lose the division.

What's everyone's thoughts on how to set up the rotation down the stretch?

I don't think there is a wrong way to do it but here is how I would play it out if I were Hurdle.

Hold Liriano out of his start on Saturday for the Wild Card game or potential Division Championship game against Cards.

If the Pirates don't have anything to play for, obviously hold Cole out of his final start, as well.

Playoff Rotation w/ Wild Card game:
WC: Liriano
DS1: Cole
DS2: Morton (if able to go, if not Locke)
DS3. Liriano
DS4: Volquez
DS5: Cole

Rotation if advancing to directly to DS:
DS1: Liriano
DS2: Cole
DS3: Morton (see above)
DS4: Volquez (Liriano if facing elimination)
DS5: Liriano (Cole if Liriano goes in GM4)

Morton has been shut down. Can you revise your list?

I'd put Locke in his place.