MLB Rumors: Oli Marmol replacement, Pirates frustration, Verlander calls out Tigers

MLB Rumors: Andrew McCutchen has a fine coming

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Andrew McCutchen were rightly a little frustrated with home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez after Thursday’s sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays, which are quickly proving to be the best team in baseball by a landslide.

Cutch, for one, was called out on a terrible strike three decision.

Gonzalez’s expanded strike zone received the ire of the Pirates, whose manager Derek Shelton was tossed on Wednesday for arguing about the pitch clock. If this was some strange form of retribution, it was well-executed.

“Is there any accountability on that end? Over the years, I don’t think so. What can you do?” McCutchen asked after the game. “This felt like a game we weren’t supposed to win.”

The Buccos did not play well on their brief road trip to Tampa Bay. The Rays took advantage of every Pittsburgh mistake, and the Pirates fanbase learned to push down on the brakes with this Bucs team as a true contender. They still might be a year away.

Gonzalez aided in that bit of pessimism, though, and McCutchen made sure to let him know about it.

It’s unlike McCutchen to complain about the umpires. As an MLB veteran, he has respect for the boys in blue and understands how tough their jobs are. Thursday was a rare exception.