A repeat of history?

Tuesday, May 3rd. The Pirates stood at 8-16 coming off a humiliating 11-4 loss to the Astros that put them on a 4 game losing skid. Ezequiel Astacio took the mound for the 'Stros, we got to him early and won the game 7-4. That launched a 22-16 streak that got us to .500 in June.

Tuesday, July 19th. The Pirates stand at 40-52 and are coming off a humiliating 11-1 loss to the Astros, our fourth loss in five games coming off the All-Star break. Ezequiel Astacio is taking the mound for the 'Stros tonight in game 1 of the double header.

Hopelessly optimistic? Maybe, but it's all we've got right now.