Buccos July Preview

With 85 games already in the books, the Bucs are 3 games above .500 and 1.5 games out of first place in the NL Central. A quick glimpse at their schedule shows a good opportunity for the Bucs to gain some ground on the Cards and Brewers.

Here is a look at their July opponents:
 July 4-7, the Bucs face the Astros, the worst team in all of baseball. The Bucs won the first matchup in this series, sending the Stros to their 9th loss in 10 games. The Bucs need to, at worst, win the series and SHOULD sweep.

 July 8-10. These Cubbies are in 5th place in the Central and don't have much to celebrate themselves. The Bucs are 4-2 against the Cubs in 6 games at Wrigley this year and have had the Cubs number for the better part of the past 2 seasons. The Cubs may also be looking to unload some players and may be down a slugger or two by the time they arrive in the Burgh midweek.

 July 15-17. We will travel to Houston for a 3 game set, looking to repeat the 3 game sweep we completed last month. That should  very possible and put the Bucs in good shape heading back home to face Cinci.
 July 18-20. The Reds are currently 1.5 games behind the Bucs amidst a series versus the division leading Cardinals. By the time we face them at PNC Park, it could very well be a battle for 1st in the Central. The Bucs have won 5 of the first 6 games against the Reds in 2011, all on the road. Hopefully that success can continue at home.
 July 22-24. This could also be a huge series in the Battle of the NL Central. If the Bucs don't stumble against our division foes, we could facing the Cards in a dead heat for 1st. Their lineup features Pujols, Holliday, and Berkman as it's main components and Chris Carpenter, a notorious Pirates killer, is looking to be regaining his prime form. The pitching will need to be spot on against these guys and not giving up extra outs is paramount.

 July 25-28. A huge 4 game series in Atlanta is going to test the Bucs resolve. The Bravos are currently 4 games up in the Wild Card race and feature the #1 pitching staff in all of baseball. Jair Jurjjens leads the way with a league best 1.89 ERA and Tommy Hanson is not far behind with a 2.52. The offense is going to have to find a way while the pitching continues to be as close to perfect as possible.

 July 29-31. The Bucs finish the month where this nation started. The Phillies are the best team in baseball right now but the Bucs were able to procure a series win in June against the high priced Phils. If the Bucs come in to this game vying for a playoff spot, it will be imperitive to take some momentum into August with them.

 July 31st also marks the non-waiver trading deadline. If the Bucs are still close or somehow have moved  to first place, they may want to consider making a move. They may have to take on some additional salary in order to not give up much in terms of prospects, and THAT is when we will see just how much baseball sense the FO really has, That is also when we will see just how committed they are to winning baseball in the Burgh.

Judging from the attendance so far this season, Nuthouse may be tempted to let the moths fly free and open wallett down the stretch. If he thinks 4 sellouts are profitable, wait until he sees what 15 or 20 or even more can rake in.