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MLB Network Analyst On Pirates: "These Guys Can Hang In The Race"

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) - Current MLB Network analyst and former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Mitch Williams told the Fan Morning Show he thinks the Pirates can stay in this race.

He thinks the 19-inning game loss in Atlanta killed the Pirates last year, but they are a team more equipped to handle adversity this year.

One of those reasons is because of A.J. Burnett who goes to the mound for the Pirates in Thursday's finale.

He said Burnett was, "A small fish in a big pond, but now in Pittsburgh, is a big fish in a small pond." This is the same guy we saw in Toronto and Florida. He can really pitch.

He thinks last night's win for the Pirates was huge not only because it ended the losing streak, but it proves that the Pirates are getting better.

"The Pirates teams of the past would have folded after getting down early," Williams said. He also pointed out they would have blown that lead in the seventh inning, but Lincoln came out and put an end to it.

Williams is also a huge Andrew McCutchen fan.

"That is the one guy in this game I would pay to watch," he said. He said he was a guy that when he pitched would never back down from anyone, but when it comes to McCutchen he said he would find a way to pitch to him cautiously.

You can listen to the interview here:

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