Pittsburgh Pirates' Clint Hurdle admits to slump with Starling Marte and Neil Walker out – MLB
The Pittsburgh Pirates' team manager Clint Hurdle admitted on Tuesday, September 4, of the recent slide that the team has had coinciding with the absence of Starling Marte and Neil Walker.
The fact that the team has a record of 4-10 after Marte’s being shelved due to injury is a worrying factor for the Pirates. It does not end to Marte whose absence is being conspicuous, in this line falls Neil Walker, after whom the Pirates have witnessed 2-5 skid.
Clint Hurdle made a frank acknowledgement when asked if the absence of Neill Walker has really made a difference as far as the team’s performance is concerned.
"I felt it would be a challenge to play without them," manager Clint Hurdle admitted. "Marte was showing you things you want to see -- defensively, offensively -- and I would've liked to have seen him continue to play through. And Walker ... he does what he does."
With 66-54 record, the Pirates are looking to make it in to the playoff this season as the race for Wild Card intensified. The challenge that the Pirates are facing is coming from the St. Louis Cardinals that are currently making every effort to at least occupy the second position in the National League Central.
Far from catching the Cincinnati Reds which have a clear lead over all other teams in the Division, the Pirates have to compete with the Cardinals for now to keep their hopes of a Wild Card spot alive.
For that, the return of Walker will be a great boost and significance for the team.
"It will help when the healthy Walker shows up, not the one that's ornery because he can't play," said Hurdle, grinning. "This has been more challenging for him than for anyone else. A kid being from here, to get to this point of the season and where we are and being unplugged. Missing has been hard for him."
Walker is expected to play this weekend. But whether that materialises or not is something that remains to be seen. However, in their absence the Pirates will be looking for other options to keep pace with the developments.
Tags: