FOR PETE'S SAKE, IT'S JUST A SERIES

Photo: Getty Images / Pete Kozma

So you thought the Buccos would be pushovers and now you're brooding on an off-day about losing a series?

Get over yourself.

The Pirates have a hundred problems. But unlike the Yankees, starting pitching isn't one of them, and as we all know good pitching  usually beats good hitting. And it definitely beats the likes of Pete Kozma.

Photo: Getty Images

The Pirate rotation's 3.38 ERA is 5th best in MLB (they're  also tied for 5th toughest to hit dingers against) and the Yankees' overachieving (yeah, I said it) rotation ranks just 17th with an ERA of 4.05 and tied for 7th easiest to hit one into the seats against.

So any lingering frustration you feel today should be dispelled. All three games of that series were filled with sloppy play and blown chances on both sides and could've gone either way -- and, in the end, the best team was the one that didn't have Pete Kozma at the plate with bases loaded and two outs.

Photo: Getty Images

So tip your cap to our old friends Ivan Nova, Chris "Stewie" Stewart and Francisco "Gazoo" Cervelli on a job well done and fuggedabowdit. It was a one and done series and we'll never see them again. Just shake  it off  the way  a pitcher  would a fluke  homer by some guy who couldn't hit water if he jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge -- like, say, Pete Kozma -- and save your acid reflux  for the fun to come at Fenway.

(July 16, 2016 - Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)    

Speaking of Koz, Sir Didi went 2-for-5 in his third rehab start at Tampa Sunday and should be back by the end of the week, relieving us of any further need for Pete's (*cough*) services.

And speaking of Ivan, did anyone happen to catch Ken Davidoff's interview with him yesterday in the Post entitled How Being A Yankee Hurt Ivan Nova?

(April 22, 2017 - Source: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images North America)    

I won't give away any spoilers. But if you've ever read and agreed with any of my takes on why I think "the Yankee way" of introducing young starters to the Bigs stinks,  you'll be pleased to learn Ivan agrees with us those same reasons are what screwed him up and kept him from achieving his potential here too. Check it out.

Enjoy your off day, everyone. Tomorrow, our bats have dates with a green monster and a pesky pole.

Oughtta be a wicked pissah.

 --Barry Millman
BYB Writer
Twitter: @nyyankeefanfore