Pirates-Braves:A Litmus Test Of The McLouth Trade

Maybe the Pirates should have at least waited until after the upcoming series to trade Nate McLouth to the Atlanta Braves.

Because the Pirates will be playing Atlanta for four games this week. And that may be a test of the folly or wisdom of the trade. 

The Pirates won the last series 2-1. Nate McLouth was playing for them and was a factor in both victories, although a decisive one in neither.

This time, McLouth will be playing against them. He is believed to be a factor in play, and will likely decide one or more games in favor of his new team, against the old.

On the other hand, this series may serve as one of my famous "litmus tests" about the wisdom of the Pirates' trade If they lose no more than one game, repeating their earlier win, they didn't lose anything (at least against Atlanta) by trading Nate McLouth. If they're only 2-2, they lost something, and if 1-3, or 0-4, they would have lost a lot.

The Pirates are second from the bottom in their division, the strong National League Central. The Braves are third from the bottom in theirs, the weaker National League East.

The Braves are about average in both pitching and hitting. The Pirates are similarly average in pitching, but recently above- average in hitting. Both sides of the equation have Nate McLouth with the Pirates, however.

Pittsburgh HAD a "margin of safety" against Atlanta until last week.  Whether the Pirates still have it, or have lost it, is now very much open to question.