Pirates' $106,750,000 OF Bryan Reynolds fires back at Cubs manager David Ross - “Maybe he should have managed his team a little better and beat us”
Chicago Cubs manager David Ross had some choice words for the Pittsburgh Pirates that did not sit well with Bryan Reynolds. Ross said the Pirates are "not a good team" after taking the series loss on Thursday.
Ross went into detail, saying the Pirates are not up to the caliber of the Cubs. He said that the loss was on him and that the team must turn it around in the next series.
Reynolds, who signed an eight-year, $106.75 million contract this season, quickly gave it back to Ross. He said, if they are such a lousy team, why did they lose the series?
"We can use it as motivation," Bryan Reynolds said. "If we're such a bad team, maybe he should have managed his team a little better and beat us."
While the Cubs won the first game in big fashion, the Pirates won the second game 13-7 and the series clincher 8-6. In the wins, Pittsburgh got to Chicago's top two pitchers, Kyle Hendricks and Justin Steele.
Bryan Reynolds struggled in the series, going 1-11, but is having a stellar season. In 137 games, he is slashing .269/.332/.467 with 22 home runs and 78 RBIs. Reynolds is five home runs away from tying a career-high.
Unfortunately, the Pirates have all but been eliminated from the postseason race. They hold a 72-81 record, putting them 7.5 games behind the Cubs for the final National League Wild Card spot.
Bryan Reynolds and the Pittsburgh Pirates have something special cooking
Bryan Reynolds and the Pittsburgh Pirates came out hot this season. They had a good group of young players excited to show their worth and stick in the big leagues.
Unfortunately, they lost their star shortstop, Oneil Cruz, early in the season. He fractured his left fibula and was officially shut down in August. This was a big loss for the team, as Cruz was making a name for himself.
Cruz will work his way back to being healthy for next season, and the team could look a lot different. Paul Skenes, the 2023 MLB Draft's top pick, is expected to be with the team next season.
Jared Jones, a pitcher selected in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft, is expected to join Skenes. Jones has a big-time fastball, and the duo could see great success next season.
The Pirates could be one fun team to watch next year,