Morning Dump

How bout them Pirates!!

Like this guy said, 2 out of 3 from the Padres over the weekend. In related prediction news, tonight's lotto number is 4-9-1.

That puts the Pirates at four games over .500 and guarantees their first winning April since 2002. That, above, is a picture of our Pittsburgh Pirates going after the NL Pennant, or at least how I see it in my head.


- Yesterday's game recap here.

It was a good game. Ohlendorf skirted through some trouble and the offense did just enough against Peavy until Adam LaRoche sealed the deal with his three run homer. Lastly, what can we say at this point about LaRoche?

- How about some kudos for Baby LaRoche while we're at it. Ten game hit streak, along with more solid D, for a guy that started out 0 for 20.

- Dejan from the P-G linked this good NY Post article. It's some 'looking back' thinking about the Nady trade from last year and how the Pirates got the best of it.

- Ed Bouchette's pick by pick look at the draft picks of the Steelers.

- The Trib's view of the draft.

- Kiper gives us a B. Since it's an Insider article, here's the scoop:

"First-round selection Evander Hood was a good pick because he should fit in well as a defensive tackle in the Steelers' system. I love third-round wide receiver Mike Wallace's speed. Cornerback Joe Burnett and running back Frank Summers were good selections in the fifth round. Defensive tackle Ra'Shon Harris could be a steal out of the sixth round. "

- McShay's take. Again, an Insider:

"Best pick: G Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin (Third round, No. 79 overall)
Worst pick: DT Evander Hood, Missouri (First round, No. 32 overall)
Bottom line: The Steelers traded out of the second round and got value in the third round in what is a comparatively lean overall class. Urbik is a big, tough guard who fits the classic Steelers mold and will bolster the interior of the offensive line. Hood has some versatility and can fit as an end in Pittsburgh's 3-4 front, but he tends to play high and I'm not sure he's ideally suited to taking on blockers. WR Mike Wallace and CB Keenan Lewis could develop into solid role players, and CB Joe Burnett could be the diamond in the rough in this group."


Overall, I think it was a good draft. We drafted for needs, stockpiled some picks, talent, and depth. Some players could turn out to be steals. There're no names that reach out, grab ya, chloroform ya, tie you up with duck tape, then take you home, but it's still a good deep class.

Read it here first, A.Q. Shipley makes the team and is our starting center in two years.

- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the Pens first round series.