Snell needs to step up

This was supposed to be Ian Snell's year to move into the ace's role of the Pirates' starting rotation. Instead, he is floundering with a rising ERA and batting average against while watching his win total stagnate.

Snell, who signed a contract extension two weeks before the season started, has not earned much of that contract as of yet. Snell hasn't won since April 12 – his third start of the year. Since then he is 0-3, he has allowed eight or more hits in six of eight starts and his ERA has jumped from 3.93 to 4.84.

There's no doubt that Snell has the stuff to be a top-of-the-rotation starter. His fastball is consistently in the mid-90's and he has the ability to be a high-strikeout pitcher. And, to Snell's defense, he hasn't had every break this season. That included Wednesday when the usually sure-handed Adam LaRoche made an error which led to two unearned runs and gave Milwaukee the lead for good.

Snell isn't he only starter not producing. Thursday's pitcher, Tom Gorzelanny, is 3-4 with a 6.64 ERA.

For the last couple of seasons, the organization has pointed toward this group of young starting pitchers to be the ones to carry the Pirates toward a winning season. So far, they haven't done so. And if they don't show improvement soon, the future may soon turn into the past.