https://triblive.com/sports/mlb-network-spotlights-pirates-as-force-to-be-reckoned-with-in-nl-central/
MLB Network spotlights Pirates as force to be reckoned with in NL Central
“Let’s get on the Pirate ship” indeed.
MLB Network’s Mark DeRosa seems to be pretty confident in the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In a segment that aired Friday morning on the network’s morning show, “MLB Central,” the former journeyman utility player outlined all of the reasons the Pirates should be able to take control of the National League Central.
Entering Friday’s games, the Pirates were three games behind the Chicago Cubs for first place in the division after winning three of four against them this week.
DeRosa opened with the obvious: All-Star Josh Bell captaining the ship. Bell leads MLB in RBIs (81) and extra-base hits (57).
But, as DeRosa pointed out, Starling Marte, the longest-tenured Pirate, is doing his job as Bell’s “first mate.” Marte has 12 home runs, 13 stolen bases and 40 RBIs.
DeRosa also spotlighted young-guns Bryan Reynolds and Kevin Newman and their breakout seasons.
He also addressed rumors surrounding a potential trade of closer Felipe Vazquez, seeming to implore the Pirates to hang onto him as the division race progresses.
“The time is now,” DeRosa says at the end of the segment.
Watch the full piece below.
The @Pirates are just three games out of first place in the NL Central and All-Star first baseman @JBell_19 is captaining the ship! ??☠️⚾️#MLBCentral | #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/ua9bFTNn54— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 5, 2019
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