4/21-4/27 Week in Pirates' Shifts

・SHIFTED
Date: April 21

Pitcher: Francisco Liriano (LHP)

Batter: Jay Bruce (LHB)
Fielder: Neil Walker  (2B)
Situation: Runner on 1st,  no outs
Count: 0-2
Pitch Type: 85-MPH Slider

Jay Bruce bunted foul on first pitch and missed a chance to appear This Week in Bunting to Beat the Shift. Do you remember that Bruce tried to bunt against Liriano last September?

4-5-3!!!! The Pirates made fantastic play two pitches later. Bruce got #shifted, and PEDRO ALVAREZ turned a double play.

See. Pedro looks freakin' smooth.

Date: April 22

Pitcher: Edinson Volquez (RHP)

Batter: Jay Bruce (LHB)
Fielder: Pedro Alvarez (3B)
Situation: Bases Empty, 1 out
Count: 1-2
Pitch Type: 78-MPH Curve

Third baseman Pedro fielded a routine ground ball to "second". That was lucky. Edinson Volquez left a curve up in the zone, but Bruce couldn't find balance at the plate.

Date: April 24

Pitcher: Brandon Cumpton (RHP)

Batter: Jay Bruce (LHB)
Fielder: Neil Walker (2B)
Situation: Bases Empty, no outs
Count: 2-1
Pitch Type: 92-MPH Sinker

Neil Walker backhanded a hard-hit ball in the outfield. I mean because it's the Cump.

Date: April 22

Pitcher: Edinson Volquez (RHP)

Batter: Brayan Pena (LHB)
Fielder: Pedro Alvarez (3B)
Situation: Runner on 1st, 2 out
Count: 3-2
Pitch Type: 92-MPH Four-seam

Another shortstop play by Pedro. Switch-hitting catcher Brayan Pena is a pull hitter from the left side. He swung late but got shifted this time.

Date: April 22

Pitcher: Edinson Volquez (RHP)

Batter: Brayan Pena (LHB)
Fielder: Pedro Alvarez (3B)
Situation: Runner on 1st, 2 out
Count: 1-2
Pitch Type: 78-MPH Curve

Next #shifted is from Pena's second at bat of the game.

Pena tried to bunt on back-to-back pitches. The chubby catcher has only two bunt singles over last 9 seasons (1197 PA).

Five fouls in a row (two foul bunts) and slap hitting with Nori Aoki impression. It's weird to see a veteran backup catcher made the lead-off approach.

Date: April 25

Pitcher: Gerrit Cole (RHP)

Batter: Matt Adams (LHB)
Fielder: Clint Barmes (SS)
Situation: Runner on 2nd, 1out 
Count: 0-0
Pitch Type: 96-MPH Four-seam 

This play was not even a productive out because of the soft line drive. Barmes caught the ball really well.

Date: April 26

Pitcher: Justin Wilson  (LHP)

Batter: Matt Adams (LHB)
Fielder: Jordy Mercer (SS)
Situation: Runner on 3rd, 2 outs
Count: 3-2
Pitch Type: 98-MPH Four-seam

The shift saved a run on Saturday evening. Adams hit liner directly at shortstop Jordy Mercer.

Mercer didn't move from his position...just as planned?

Tremendous defense there by #Pirates -- one catch and one shift foils #Cardinals rally in the seventh. Prolongs their scoring woes #stlcards
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) April 26, 2014