ARRR, meet the Pirates!

Everytime pirates come up in discussion, I am forced to think of the fake pirate from Dodgeball.

The Braves head on a lengthy road trip that begins in Pittsburgh with the 14-18 faux Pirates. Pirates of old would steal and plunder. These Pirates will not do a whole lot to impress you. So far this year, Jason Bay and Xavier Nady have provided some slugging and otherwise, they would have nothing because Adam LaRoche has been about 50% worse than your average player. Pretty bad. Nonetheless, he is starting to show some life. In the past six games, he is hitting .318 with a couple of doubles, but nothing to indicate he has shaken the early season struggles.

Ryan Doumit is pushing his way into the lineup. In 15 games this year, he is hitting .425/.489/.725. For any fantasy players, he is a great pickup (I have him) and has been starting games at catcher, first, and right field. The Pirates can ill-afford to keep him out of the lineup. Aside from Nady and Bay, only Jose Bautista has a slugging over .400 and he's hardly a power hitter. He does lead the Pirates with 11 doubles.

How have they even won 14 games? Well, playing in the NL Central helps. Having Tom Gorzelanny and Ian Snell also helps out. We will miss Gorzo, but Snell will start Sunday against Anthony Lerew. He is among lead leaders in ERA (2.35) and K's (36). We will also see former phenom Zach Duke (1-3, 5.50) and Tony Armas Jr. (0-2, 7.94)...who is apparently still in the big leagues. I was surprised, too.

The bullpen has some decent arms in Matt Capps and Damaso Marte. Shawn Chacon takes care of the long relief, but Salomon Torres is definitely no sure thing in the ninth. He has saved his last five chances, but before that, blew three of his first nine chances.

Ultimately, the Braves should be able to extend their series win streak to five straight after losing their first series of the year to the Marlins (damn you, Wickmoo!).

Pitching Matchups:
Kyle Davies vs. Zach Duke
Chuck James vs. Tony Armas Jr.
Anthony Lerew vs. Ian Snell