Locke is Key: The Forgotten Cy Young Contender and the Pittsburgh Pirates

Locke is Key: The Forgotten Cy Young Contender and the Pittsburgh Pirates

The story with the Pittsburgh Pirates this year always revolves around their quest to end the drought of 20 years with a losing record or how outstanding their bullpen is. However, the much bigger story at hand, which gets no publicity or fanfare, is the season of Jeff Locke. Locke was always considered a top 10 organizational prospect, but no one could predict the season he is currently having.

Although A.J. Burnett is the seasoned veteran and leader of the staff, Locke will be the most important piece for the remainder of the season and the chase for a winning record and playoff spot. The way things are looking now, it seems like a foregone conclusion that the streak comes to an end and Pittsburgh finds itself in the postseason, but anything can happen. Burnett has always been inconsistent, Liriano, though having a great year, could come back to Earth at any time, and Charlie Morton is not the pitcher he once was. That leaves the young combo of Locke and Cole to carry this team.

Jeff Locke doesn’t get the publicity he deserves because he isn’t a “sexy” choice. Nothing about him really jumps out. Matt Harvey has the strikeouts, Clayton Kershaw has the hardware, Adam Wainwright doesn’t walk anybody, but Jeff Locke, he just gets guys out. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff that he can blow by hitters; he gives up his fair share of walks, but in the end he gets outs. He is currently on a streak of giving up 3 ERs or less in 16 straight starts. He has a 9-2 record with a 2.11 ERA yet most fans wouldn’t be able to pick this guy out of a photo array.

Something tells me that all of this is probably fine with Locke, as the team winning and having success is more important than his own personal accolades, but come October, on the biggest stage of his life, Locke will make his name known in the playoffs.