After three back to back post season appearances the Pittsburgh Pirates had a lot expectations going into this year, which they have not been living up to. The Pirates needed to atone for last years early exit in the playoffs to the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card round. Star players are not performing like star players (Andrew McCutchen .239, Francisco Liriano 4-8 5.33) and the little bit of luck needed in a long baseball season have not been happening for them. The Pirates have not advanced to the next round in the post season since 2013. The most disappointing was the previously stated loss to the Cubs. Pitching has really let the Pirates down this year ranking in the bottom half of the league.
Role credits pan up, fade to black. An audience invest so much of themselves in television shows and the need for a satisfying conclusion can demolish years of quality programming. What is it about human nature that we need things wrapped up in a nice tiny bow. Since the dawn of time we have looked to the heavens to explain the unknown. In the beginning there were those who claimed of higher power and those that took a scientific route. But none the less we’ve always found the need to try and explain and find answers to what’s out there. Which leads back to television. The finale of an episode represents an end to many things we’ve cherished, to some it’s like losing a family member. An audience wants a satisfying conclusion because there’s no way to know what the future holds for these characters after the final credits role. A poor ending can feel like a betrayal.
With the All Star Game fast approaching it’s time to shift our reviews from “Quarter Season” to “Mid Season” At the start of the season there was hope for Yankees fans. The addition of a couple new players and the resurgence of Alex Rodriguez bode well for the 2016 season. Many pundits had them winning the AL East. But as the beginning of July approaches the Yankees find themselves (35-36) 6 games back in the AL East trailing the first place Baltimore Orioles followed by the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays.