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5 postseason keys for the Pittsburgh Pirates

By Nathaniel Reeves

Sep 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton (50) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton (50) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 22, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher J.A. Happ (32) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher J.A. Happ (32) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Continue to get strong performances from J.A. Happ

When Happ was acquired from the Seattle Mariners at the trade deadline, it appeared he would fill the role of long reliever or swing starter for the Pirates. Instead, Happ has far exceeded those expectations, becoming one of the key figures down the stretch for Pittsburgh’s pitching staff.

Happ posted a 4.64 ERA in 20 starts with the Mariners per Baseball Reference while pitching in a home park that was tailored to his flyball tendencies. Something has really clicked since coming to Pittsburgh, as Happ has a 2.04 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 57.1 innings with the Pirates.

The Pirates will be happy with the rotation trio of Cole, Francisco Liriano and a healthy A.J. Burnett for the postseason. Still, there’s no reason to start Charlie Morton or Jeff Locke over Happ, so he should be receiving a start should the Pirates advance to the ALDS.

While Happ has had some solid years in the past, this is easily the best run of his career, so Pittsburgh will have to hope it continues. Even if Happ doesn’t start a game, he can be a valuable option in long relief should a starter falter in a critical game.

The Pirates’ recent run of success has been helped out by a number of pitching reclamation projects. It appears the team has benefited from yet another one in Happ, who could make an important difference in the postseason.

Next: Mix and match successfully at first base?

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