First call: Pirates pitchers performing, hitters failing; Capitals clinch division

In “First Call” Friday, some interesting early numbers for the Pirates. The Capitals win the Metro. And the Lightning continue to chase history.

That’s a good 'start'

A week into the season, the Pirates starting rotation has been every bit as good as you think it has.

Granted, they have played only five games so far. Most teams have played six to 10. But to this point, the team ERA of Pirates starters is 1.55. That is second-best in the majors behind Toronto. Their 0.86 WHIP is tied with Tampa for second behind Minnesota (0.85). Their opponents’ batting average of .158 is best in the majors among starting staffs.

Joe Musgrove tries to keep that momentum going at 7:05 p.m. Friday against the Reds. Sonny Gray starts for Cincinnati. The Pirates knocked him out in the third inning en route to a 5-0 win last week.

At the other end of the spectrum, there is how the Pirates hitters are doing with runners in scoring position.

The club was 4 for 13 during a 2-0 win Thursday night. That’s actually better than the rate we have seen in the first few games of the season.

In their first 50 at-bats with runners in scoring position, Clint Hurdle’s hitters have just eight hits. That’s a .160 average, 25th in MLB.

The Pirates have left 53 men on base through five games.

Another banner?

Maybe the Capitals won’t hang divisional banners now that they have their Stanley Cup title.

But they can claim another Metro Division title after last night. The Capitals clipped Montreal, 2-1.

Swiped. Screened. Sniped. #ALLCAPS #CapsHabs pic.twitter.com/VNAbWbiNBT

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 5, 2019

That’s Nick Dowd with the game-winner. The victory gets Washington up to 104 points.

Meanwhile, the Islanders beat Florida in a shootout. They now have 101 points. But with a game remaining for each team, the Islanders can’t catch the Caps.

The Hurricanes topped New Jersey, 3-1, to clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2009. Their 97 points are three ahead of Montreal and Columbus in the wild-card race. The Blue Jackets have two games remaining.

The Hurricane and Canadiens have one each.

Meanwhile, the Penguins are nestled between the Islanders and Hurricanes in third place with 99 points. You can get a look at their potential playoff scenarios here after clinching a berth last night.

Knocking on the door

On Thursday, we mentioned how the Lightning were just two wins away from tying Detroit’s NHL wins record from 1995-96 .

The mark is 62. Tampa hit 61 last night in Toronto with a 3-1 victory.

Nikita Kucherov got his 40th goal to seal the win.

40 goals is 40 goals. ?#TBLvsTOR | #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/ZkbZtzPSRL

— p - Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) April 5, 2019

That’s 126 points, one away from Alexander Mogilny’s record in a single season by a Russian-born player.

The Lightning can tie the record with a win in Boston on Sunday at 1 p.m.

I leave you with this

Heading into the weekend, we should all have a laugh. I hope this helps.

It may be my favorite team Twitter account exchange ever.

This. Is. Twitter. pic.twitter.com/TZ3EOQc5yf

— Christopher Crawford (@Crawford_MILB) April 5, 2019

I dunno. May need some independent corroboration here.