The Major League playoff wild card round began yesterday with two road teams swiping wins from their hosts.
Only 19,704 fans showed up for Tampa Bay’s 4-0 loss to Texas. In the other American League game, Minnesota broke an 18-game postseason losing streak with a 3-1 win over Toronto. In the National League, Milwaukee blew a three-run lead and lost to Arizona, 6-3. The Phillies handled Miami, 4-1.
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington wants to be watching his team play in next year’s postseason, but he says it will take a lot of work to get there, and it starts now. Cherington said yesterday that the Pirates’ roster wasn’t good enough this year, despite a 14-win improvement over last season.
The GM says he’ll be looking for players to help at every position.
A part of Cherington’s job in the offseason will be determining the future role of Andrew McCutchen, if he returns to the Bucs. He’d like to see that happen, but says it will begin with a conversation with the veteran to gain his perspective on the team and his possible return.
Cherington said he looks forward to the return of shortstop Oneil Cruz from his ankle injury, and he also intends to have contract extension talks with All-Star pitchers Mitch Keller and David Bednar.
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