After a lengthy, yet successful, first game of the double-dip, the Pirates were looking for their first sweep of a doubleheader since 9/30/2009 at Chicago and their first at home since 8/28/2007 against the Cincinnati Reds. Despite having five players in the lineup that spent part of this year in Indianapolis, the Pirates extended their half-game lead over the Cardinals in the N.L. Central with a 6-0 win in game two. "I was pleased with the effort today, off the mound especially," Pirates ... Read More
Burnett, Lynn both impressive in Pirates 2-1 game one win
Strolling into the ballpark today, the young James Santelli tweeted that today was the biggest day in Pittsburgh baseball since 1992. While you may agree or disagree (I'm the latter), today's doubleheader with the Cardinals just a half-game up on the Pirates was a pretty big deal. Wasting no time, the Pirates and Cardinals skipped desert and went straight to the entree with A.J. Burnett and Lance Lynn both putting on a show in the Pirates 2-1 extra-inning win. Neither pitcher recorded a ... Read More
From SRU to St. Louis, Matt Adams continues to impress
When a high school athlete looks to take his athletic career to the next level, he has a couple of choices to make. If he's good enough, the offers will come in from schools around the country. If he's really, really good enough, to the point where he can turn pro, Division I schools will be the choice. They do, after all, offer the highest competition and the best chance to get recognized. But what if you don't get scouted in high school and don't have any major college pursuing you? The answer ... Read More
Report: Cooke’s decision to head out West based on job promise from Pens
With the limited funds, the Pittsburgh Penguins had some tough decisions to make as they approached the offseason. With the re-signing of Chris Kunitz, Pascal Dupuis and Rob Scuderi, fan favorite Matt Cooke found himself on the outside looking in. While losing Cooke was hard for Pens fans, knowing the reason that he left could make it a little bit easier to swallow. According to a source close to Cooke, the Penguins started talking money with Scuderi's agent before they were technically ... Read More
Looking at the Approach of a Small Market Team
One of the best times of the year is approaching again: The MLB trade deadline. As always, the rumors are floating around and the fans are saying who they want their favorite team to get. Some of them are reasonable rumors, but others are as far-fetched as possible. Instead of listing people the Pirates may go after, I want to take a look at a team's approach at the trade deadline. So far, the market has been a seller's market. I mean, did you see the return that the Cubs got for Matt Garza? ... Read More
Fernandez Wins the Battle of the Phenoms, 3-2
It's too bad that fans in Miami don't care about baseball. Today's finale between the Pirates and Marlins featured two of the top up-and-coming pitchers in baseball. Gerrit Cole, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 draft by the Pirates, took the hill for his ninth career start. Opposing him is 20-year-old phenom, Jose Fernandez, selected after Cole in the draft, for the Marlins. Both pitchers showed why they are as hyped as they are, but Fernandez made one less mistake than Cole en route to a 3-2 ... Read More
Liriano Outduels Strasburg In 4-2 Win
A day after seeing the Pirates phenom Gerrit Cole take the mound, baseball fans were in for a treat as Stephen Strasburg was scheduled to take the mound for the Washington Nationals. Opposing Strasburg on Wednesday night, was left-handeder Francisco Liriano. The game had all of the hype of a pitchers duel in the making, which admittedly made me nervous. Usually, these games end up being a blowout one way or the other. Not on this night. Liriano continued to show why he has been the best free ... Read More
A Rose Between Two Thorns: How A-Rod & Braun Changed Rose’s Image
I have to admit something. I'd be lying if I said that I remembered the first baseball game that I ever attended. I mean, in my defense, it was around 20 years ago. I can, however, remember attending games at Three Rivers Stadium and PNC Park when I was younger with my dad. For any kid, it can't get better than that. In your backyard, you dream about playing in the Major Leagues and just knowing that you have a ticket to go see these stars makes you the luckiest person on earth. I would pick ... Read More
Cole leads Pirates with bat and arm in 5-1 win over Nationals
I'll be the first to admit it. When I found out the Pirates had the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, I was gung-ho on the Pirates selecting Anthony Rendon from Rice. A year after taking Jameson Taillon and Stetson Allie, I didn't feel they needed to take a pitcher. I watched Gerrit Cole play, but I just though the organization was lacking a bat in the minor leagues. While the latter part stands true, I'm starting to own up to my mistake. On Tuesday night, the two rookies squared off as ... Read More
Braun Baby Braun
For the past year-plus, Ryan Braun has defended his name to the public and to his friends. Braun has gone on and on about that fact that he never took performance enhancing drugs. In fact, Braun said he "would bet his life" that a substance never entered his body. “I am a victim of a process that completely broke down and failed in a way that it applied to me in this case," Braun said in a press conference held last February. Braun was so much of a victim that on Monday, he and the MLB agreed ... Read More