Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has an article on the Pirates poor offense. He thinks the pitchers should pinch-hit:

Entering Monday's date in Montreal, Benson had as many doubles as Benjamin and Osik (one). Dave Williams and Kip Wells had as many homers (two) as Craig Wilson , twice as many homers as Kendall and Brown and Osik, and a shutout going on Jack Wilson, Armando Rios, Reese, Nunez and Benjamin. Combined, the starting pitchers owned a .171 average with eight RBIs and one of the eight triples mustered by the punchless Pirates.

"Pitchers just try to put it in play," said Wells, an All-Star candidate already -- on the mound more so than at the plate. "Sometimes in hitting that's what guys need to do if you're struggling.

"Just try to put it in play and hit it the other way. Generally that's what pitchers try to do. Even though we generally don't do it well."

They do it well enough that Wells offered this thought: Now pinch-hitting for the pitcher ... pitcher Jimmy Anderson.

"Jimmy's probably the best hitter of the pitchers," Wells said of the lefty with the .238 average. "He might get to pinch-hit one of these days. He gets to wear his cleats every other outing. 'Cause you never know."

Also, given my recent comments about Bonds and Sosa's frustration with their poor offensive teams, Brian Giles is probably feeling the same way. He has 26 extra-base hits, a .444 OBA, but only 32 RBI, despite hitting .314 with men in scoring position. Another player who would be getting lots of MVP consideration on a better team.