Next on TBB: With a comeback like this, I'll be interested to see if this ridiculously streaky ball club can get a winning slide going. It'll all start tomorrow with the Bucs' most consistent pitcher, left-hander Paul Maholm. He'll face the 'stros in the middle game of the three-game set. Tune in 8:05 PM ET.

However, my friends and family have, such as my close pal Uncle Dusty. He holds on to his fan values for the 'Burgh because of what he has seen with his own eyes. The days of Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell mashing homeruns and delivering consistent clutch hits. He has experienced something no Pirate fan today would have thought possible - winning. 

I still have yet to root for a Steel City baseball team that has won 70 games or more, but what I have seen has fulfilled my appetite at least a little. Freddy Sanchez did win the NL batting title back in 2006, and of course that 10-4 comeback was awesome.. but why am I still so intent on rooting for a team that is mathematically just bad? Honestly, I don't have a answer anymore for my readers.

In a strange case though, I have bought a type of emotional stock in these 'rats. It's not even the case that I want them to necessarily win, I just don't want them to embarrass themselves out on the baseball diamond like a tee-ball father. I mean, PPG writer Dejan Kovacevic is saying that this is one of the worst starting pitching rotation's in the history of baseball; that hurts a bunch and is impossible to defend, but no matter - this team means too much to me and I will stick with them 'till the end. 

Just like last year, the latest second-half meltdown has the Bucs wondering what's next? I will tell you that a huge deal is going to go down over the next week, and a big Pirate run producer will be leaving Pittsburgh (Xavier Nady? Jason Bay?). As hard as it is to believe now, the team is still getting close to being set for the future. Look at the guys that will almost definitely be staying for the next three years - Nate The Great, Ryan Doumit, and even injured Matt Capps - these players have already succeeded at the Major League level and while they may not provide winners by themselves, they'll help to keep a portion of fans coming night in and night out to PNC.

Next on TBB: I am going to stop myself before I go crazy with the ranting, but I have to cringe at telling all of you the latest probable pitcher. In Houston tomorrow night, John Van Benschoten will get re-re-re-called to make the start against the RHP R. Hernandez. 

Van Benschoten's High School MLB stats do not need to be repeated, but I will say the Bucs have a chance tomorrow in the offensive park of Minute Maid. They also especially got a shot against Minor League Big Leaguer Runelvys, who is 0-3 with a 10.29 ERA. It is sad to say that I said the same thing against the Rockies, and look how that turned out. Tune in 8:05 PM ET to witness the fun and excitement of JvB baseball.

Tomorrow, at 8:05 PM ET, Cliff Lee will lead the charge along with the American League All-Stars against Ben Sheets and the National League All-Stars at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Hopefully, McLouth goes yard just like he has done 19 times in this first half. 

I won't have a chance to give all of you a blog update on the game, since I got this party going on. Still, please watch ASG '08 for the final time in the "cathedral" of baseball and have fun. See all of you on Thursday as the Bucs face the Rockies in Denver.

Before I say anything else on this ball game, I will start by telling all of you that this is the second classic I have witnessed. The first came back in 2004, where on July 1st, the New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 5-4 in 13 innings. This, of course, was where captain Derek Jeter made his infamous dive into the stands on a pop up. No contest, however, kept me on the edge of my seat quite like this one.

I know I've seen better comebacks. Actually, I guarantee I have. Back in 2006, the Bronx Bombers were down 10-0 before grinding out a victory against the Texas Rangers (yes, I watch a lot of Yankee games). On a short note, look who started that game; none other then Shawn Chacon himself! Lovely. Anyway, what was most impressive about Saturday's comeback was the "adversity" and challenges that are and have plagued the Bucs for more then a decade. Yes, my friends, you are in for a long blog post.

The Yankees, being my ultimate born-into favorite team, have always had the force to drive any club they put on the field into a comeback... no that force is not only their used money. Whether it was the fans or the coaches - someone or something was always driving New York to greatness. Where as Pittsburgh... is Pittsburgh. As much as I hate to reiterate this in my posts, I love the Pirates, but ragging on them allows me to continue being a fan. Sarcasm in sports is the best.

They lose, and they lose, and they do some more losing. I remember back in June of last year, I was saying "gosh golly, we're heading into the All-Star break down from .500 by only six games!!!" Sad when fans are happy about the fact that their team is ten games or less from the even mark. This team has lost its share of games, 49 to be exact, but the victories and comebacks for that matter have thus far out-shined the defeats.

29,387 were in attendance for my homie Yoslan Herrera's first Major League start. After walking Ryan Ludwick, Herrera struck out Albert Pujols and Rick Ankiel in the first inning. He also loaded the bases with no outs in the second frame, but a pop out and a double play started by Yoslan left the Cards with nothing to show. It was a beaut two-inning debut for Herrera; if only it had ended there.

Jason Bay hit his first of two homeruns in the first, giving Herrera some early support. As with most pitchers we have seen the Bucs throwing out there, Yoslan struggled to get out of the third, fourth, and eventually his last inning the fifth. Herrera left with runners on following a 4 1/3 inning performance. It was rough, especially with a line consisting of 11 hits, 6 runs, and 4 walks. I kid you not however - Herrera showed signs that he could be a good, solid starting pitcher someday. Christ, the man came from Altoona for god sakes!

St. Louis scored in every inning up until the eighth, as the game was quickly slipping away from the Buccaneers. The 'Burgh was getting little snippets of run support here and there, as a homer from Adam LaRoche and an RBI from Jose Bautista edged the team to a 10-4 score.

Bay went yard for the second time in the eighth, and as crazy as I am, I thought just maybe... just maybe these guys could pull something off. Well, they did. How - I still have not concluded. But, Nate The Great lead the charge in the bottom of the ninth with a three-run homerun that made the score 10-9, as the Pirates were now down just one. Oh, and as I said months ago, Nate is truly a god. The blast came of former closer Jason Isringhausen, who seems to be at the edge of his rope. 

After singles by Luis Rivas and Ryan Doumit put runners at first and third, Jason Bay's crappy fielder's choice dribbler scored the tying run and gave hope to the little fans still in attendance and watching at home. Still, the drama was not done yet, as Denny Bautista was slapped right in the face by third baseman Troy Glaus, who belted a dinger to left in the 10th. Back in 2004, when the Red Sox took that late lead against the Yanks, I had no doubt NY was still going to pull away with it. Unfortunately, on July 12, 2008 - there was more brewing then just doubt in this Pirate fan's belly.

No matter, because as they have done time and time again this year, the Bucs stunned me, the press, and the rest of the baseball world with a dramatic bottom to the 11th. Raul Chavez busted a single through the left infield side to give his team the base runner they needed. While I'd say his game-tying grand slam against St. Louis was pretty dramatic, Jason Michaels' walk off bomb this evening had a little more humpf to it. Thanks to Michaels really - in some crazy, hectic, chaotic, and wonderful way - the Pirates won. The Pirates were victorious. My oh my. 

I don't give a damn on how much ESPN covers it. I don't really care if I open the papers tomorrow to see the same small box that is always there covering the Pirates' game. In my small basement hang out downstairs, I watched the unbelievable take place. As Sir Steve Blass noted, no matter what their final record is, this Pirates team will be remembered for its grit and fight to stage the comeback.

Next on TBB: Tomorrow afternoon, Ian Snell (3-7) will get the Sunday morning call to start the last game prior to the All-Star break. It would be smart to rest Mr. Mclouth, as the Buccos only All-Star has a huge week awaiting for him in New York. Till then.

Herrera, 27 (supposedly), has never seen the light of day outside of the minor leagues. With the Curve in 2007, Yoslan was 6-9 with an ERA of 4.69. He was god awful to begin the season at Altoona, but posted solid numbers in the second half of the year. Herrera pitched in 128 2/3 innings while having a K/BB ratio of 70/38. 

Thankfully, Herrera pulled back the trigger this season, and is on his way now to Pittsburgh to face the St. Louis Cardinals. At Altoona this year, he's 5-8 with a 3.11 ERA. He struck out 53 in 92 2/3 innings before making a single start in Indianapolis. Yoslan won that game in a seven-frame performance, striking out six. 

Yoslan, the 6'2", 200 pound, all pride and power righty looks to give it his best as current GM Neal Huntington continues to tape together a "Major League" pitching rotation. Phil Dumatrait has been placed back on the DL, and Tom Gorzelanny will make his first start for Triple-A tonight. Time will tell whether Gorzy makes a quick return - but for now - all eyes are on Herrera.

Next on TBB: Though I was no true to my word in my last write-up, I guarantee I will do a post-game spot on Yoslan's first career start. The Cards are not a team he's going to be able to push around, but with the ability he has in that arm, I am excited to see this Cuban-born fire-baller pitch. He matches up against Todd Wellemeyer at 7:05 ET. 

Shout out to my friend Elliot, as he endured an 0-for-4 performance from his main man Gary Sheffmaster Sheffield in Detroit last night. Sheff is 6 for his last 30, hitting an abysmal .200 in the month of July. Not only do I bring this up to rub in Elliot's face, but when the All-Star game hits this time of year, we all wonder where has that Chef disappeared to? The one that used to have 20-25 homers by the break? Yeah, it's rough when your old.

If the Bucs go on to lose, don't be shocked when Mr. Johnny is subsequently designated for assignment. Van Benschoten has just allowed another run! That makes it four in the first frame! Sheesh, this is ridiculous.

Spring Training opened in March with a few position battles to be watched here and there, (such as Nyjer Morgan's and Nate McLouth duel for the center field spot - look how that paid off), but there was little left to be completed. The rotation was set with Phil Dumatrait as a back-up sixth starer, and the lineup was only missing its third outfielder. The bench improved with free agent signings that included former Indians infielder Chris Gomez and veteran Luis Rivas. Closer Matt Capps was back to wrap up the ninth for the second season, leaving the only real question concerning which pitchers would bridge the gap to get to that critical final frame?

Huntington dipped into the veteran minor league contract pool, signing some "oldies but goodies" that included Yankee-beloved Jaret Wright, Japanese reliever Byung-Hyun Kim, and right-hander Elmer Dessens. None ever left Bradenton, Florida with a Major League contract. Even if the Bucs had countless of cheese to spend, the free agent pool wasn't heavily funded with bullpen arms. So, new to the organization, Neal decided to make some moves that not only benefitted the 2008 Pirates team, but the future of the organization. Good grief, what was he thinking!

To break it down, Huntington decided that Franquelis Osoria would be the chosen righty to eat up innings for the Buccos. Osoria was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers about three years ago, and never really made an impact since besides a small stint in the Majors last year. Osoria, currently on the DL, did just was he was ordered to do - chomp up some innings. Though he was 'oh so eager' to do it, Franq jumped right into any bad situation that had befallen a Pittsburgh starting pitcher through the first half. To make it simple, Osoria was in there more times then he should've been. I'll be interested to see how much he's going to be able to pitch in the second half.

Osoira sits on the shelf with 6.02 ERA and a 3-2 record in 36 games It would be nice for the Bucs' long reliever to have an ERA under 3.50, though we don't hold it against Osoria that he gotten pounded upon of late. After posting a 2.75 ERA in May, Franquelis was lit up in Interleague play in June, losing to the Baltimore Orioles on the 13th while giving up a total of eight runs in 4.2 innings against the American League. Oh, do us Pirate fans LOVE that IL play. Osoria has only struck out 27 in 52.1 frames, but he's also walked just eleven. Where his sinker goes, so goes Franqy. 

The meat-and-cheese part of the bullpen sandwich was where things were a bit slippery early on. In what has now been one of his biggest impact deals, Huntington dealt for fireballer Tyler Yates from Atlanta for a nonroster pitcher. Yates, though inexperienced at it, was going to be put into late-game spots to ensure a smooth ride to the Capper. Yates has been a huge surprise, posting fantastic numbers that nobody saw coming. In 41.2 IP, Yates is 3-1 with an ERA of 3.67. It doesn't seem as if this is the case, but his control has plagued him from being really outstanding thus far. He's walked 30 over 26 Ks, however his 10 holds match up right behind left-hander Damaso Marte's 15. 

Speaking of Damaso Marte, the Bucs knew that they needed a reliable pitcher to set-up the eighth. Shawn Chacon, as popular as he may be on this blog, truly was key in the previous season's 'pen by protecting a ball game for the Buccaneer closer to do his thang. John Russell went ahead and pinned Marte (for the most part) as the man who do the act of holding in '08. Fellow lefty John Grabow was terrific to open up the year, but like our friend Osoria, has fallen on his butt facing the American League guns. Grabow has struck out a beautiful 34 in 42.2 innings, holding eight three-run (or less) leads. Grabow has been always been a constant for the Pirate organization, throwing up a career ERA of 4.43 in five seasons. 

So what is with all the fuss of a Bucco bullpen demise? They  seem to have three reliable arms with July upon us. Huntington has as well added names like Denny Bautista, TJ Beam, and even Sean Burnett to the bullpen mix. The bullpen isn't something to worry about anymore... right? I'd say yes - but then I would be lying to you. Matt Capps had an atrocious June, and the pitcher the Burgh's front office wasn't even concerned with seemed to be taking a recent constant hit game after game - even if it was, again, against AL teams. 

Capps blew five games (two of which came in Baltimore and two in Cincinnati), leading to the question whether Matt was completely healthy or not. Well, when Capps dialed up an 88-mph fastball to his first hitter three nights ago, no one in the world had a doubt htat something was wrong. Capps was put on the 15-day disabled list with a right-shoulder injury that will luckily enough not require surgery. Unfortunately, the Capper will be held out until at least early September, giving Russell a huge cut to cure with the loss of an important Pirate puzzle piece.

It's not so much that it is has been the 'rise and fall' of the 'rats 'pen; it has for the most part been even keeled (with the exception of games like the Braves' home opener). Still, with or without Capps, these relievers will determine whether or not Pittsburgh will see its first winning ball club for the first time in the last 15 years. Yes, the rotation has its problems with Tom Gorzelanny and Ian Snell, but guys like Yates and Grabow are going to be the ones keeping a potent and highly ranked Pirate offense from losing its grip. Where the pitching goes - the Buccos will go.

It seems as if Russell will send Marte out of the gates to close for the time being, though he is more than willing to try new options every night. Marte has the stuff to close, but his left-handed arm worries me when finishing off an affair. Lineups don't always go in favor of the southpaws. With 19 of the 40 wins the 'Burgh has accumulated thanks to relief pitchers, it's all up to these bulldogs to keep the black-and-gold from tripping out of this season's Major League existence. 

As if it was a September game, Triple-A pitchers made their mark on a huge win for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Making his first start as a Pirate, Ty Taubenheim did an excellent job  over six innings, holding the Rays to two runs. Taubenheim walked three and struck out four, but an RBI ground-rule double in the fifth was a huge momentum builder for the 'rats.

TJ Beam, after being demoted just a couple of nights ago, returned to Pittsburgh and pitched two flawless innings of relief. He committed an error, but struck out two in a bounce-back appearance from his previous two.

John Van Benschoten picked up his second MLB win after pitching a perfect 13th. JvB is the likely choice to pitch on Wednesday for John Russell's crew with starters Ian Snell and Phil Dumatrait still out. With multiple injury hits to the Bucs' pitching staff, tonight's affair was of great importance as these trio of minor leaguers pitched very effectively for the team's 38th win. 

Damaso Marte was the barer of a bad break in the eighth. After a clutch pinch-hit RBI double from Doug Mientkiewicz, Marte yielded a bomb to Johnny Gomes that tied the game up at three. The homer came after fourteen pitches as Gomes battled against the Pirates left-handed set-up man. 

At 38-42, the Bucs look to take the rubber match tomorrow in their last Interleague series,  though they still have the make-up of Thursday's contest to finish against the New York Yankees (rescheduled for July 10th). After being outscored 20-5 the previous two games, the Bucs did a much better job tonight, giving fans a small ounce of hope that .500 is still... a possibility. 

After tonight's 10-5 loss to Scott Kazmir and the young Rays, I was in a less depressive state then I very well could have been. The Bucs fell to six games under .500, but the "ray of hope" Tampa Bay has been shining on the lower teams of baseball has just now hit the state of the 'Burgh. As if it was some sort of Jesus Christ blessed touch, I feel as if the Bucs know that the near future is not entirely bleak.

Though their minor league system is completely gutted with as many holes as the last Pirates of the Caribbean film, the Pirates know they have the pieces to maybe not be a championship team, but a team capable of competing in a very long process of rebuilding. Nate McLouth and Matt Capps are the two kinds of players that Pittsburgh needs to build off of if they want to reflect the ball club built now in Florida.

Jimmy Barthmaier couldn't have made his rookie debut at a worse time. Barthmaier surrendered seven runs over two and a third innings on Friday night, as the Buccos head to 4-8 in Interleague play. As I stated earlier this month, this Interleague set is going to be huge in determining the rest of the Pirates' season.

For those of you who are doing so, please don't forget to VOTE PIRATES as the voting process for the 2008 All-Star Game is quickly ending. Vote McLouth and Xavier Nady into New York, as both outfielders without a doubt deserve spots on the NL rosters. I'd like to see Catcher Ryan Doumit make the roster as well, but its highly unlikely with with the amount of time he's played this year.