In a bit of news straight out of center field, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Starling Marte has been suspended by MLB for 80 games after testing positive for PEDs (nandrolone) and violating the league's drug policy. He will begin serving his suspension immediately. In a statement, Marte called the suspension a “difficult moment.” His full statement reads: “I have been informed that I have tested in one of the tests that are regularly done in my job. In this very difficult moment, I ... Read More
Marc-Andre Fleury shines in surprise Game 1 start vs. Blue Jackets
The Pittsburgh Penguins didn't even make it onto the ice for the puck drop in Game 1 before the injury bug that has hurt the team all season struck once again. With about eight minutes left to go in warmups, expected starting goaltender Matt Murray left the ice with a presumed lower body injury and wasn't even fit to dress for the game. But, luckily for Pittsburgh, the team has one heck of a backup goalie: two-time Stanley Cup champion Marc-Andre Fleury. And Wednesday night, Fleury was ... Read More
Penguins, Blue Jackets ready for physical 1st round playoff matchup
Throughout the regular season, the Pittsburgh Penguins (50-21-11; 111 points) and Columbus Blue Jackets (50-24-8; 108) were easily two of the best and most consistent teams in the NHL — and now the two meet Wednesday in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. It's the second time in four seasons that the two have faced each other in the postseason (the Penguins beat the Blue Jackets four games to two in the first round of the 2014 playoffs.) Pittsburgh fought through major injuries this ... Read More
Steelers to face Giants, Falcons, Colts, Panthers in 2017 preseason
It seems like not too long ago that the NFL season ended, but it's somehow already time to starting thinking about the coming preseason. Monday, the NFL released the 2017 preseason schedule, and we now know who the Pittsburgh Steelers will face in their four preseason games. In Week One (Aug. 10-14), the Steelers will travel to New York to take on the Giants, while, in Week Two (Aug. 17-21), the Atlanta Falcons will travel to Heinz Field. Week Three (Aug. 24-27) will feature a home matchup ... Read More
Penguins’ 1st-round matchup versus Blue Jackets officially set
The Pittsburgh Penguins' journey to repeat as Stanley Cup champions begins Wednesday night. With the end of the regular season, Pittsburgh's first-round matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets has been set. As the second-seed, the Penguins will have home-ice advantage in the first round over the third-seeded Blue Jackets. First Round Playoff Schedule: Penguins vs. Blue Jackets Game 1: Wednesday, April 12, 2017 — 7:30 p.m. EST vs. Blue Jackets (USA) Game 2: Friday, April 14, 2017 — ... Read More
Starling Marte’s 11th-inning homer leads Pirates in sweep over Braves
Get out the brooms, because the Pittsburgh Pirates just swept the Atlanta Braves. Sunday at PNC Park, the Pirates beat the Braves 6-5 in 10 innings after winning 6-4 on Saturday and 5-4 on Friday. Pittsburgh starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (6.55 ERA, 1.64 WHIP) turned in a pretty mediocre second start of the season, giving up three runs on eight hits in six innings. Two of those runs came as a result of home runs — Dansby Swanson launched a 390-foot one-run homer in the first inning and ... Read More
Pirates raise Jolly Roger for first time this season with win over Braves
Raise it! For the first time this season, the Pittsburgh Pirates have something in the win column after Friday's 5-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park in the home opener. Pittsburgh (1-2) lost its first two games of the season to the Boston Red Sox, and a scheduled third game was rained out. Ivan Nova got the start for the Pirates and allowed just one run on six hits in six innings. It was his first Opening Day start of any sort, and he struck out four and gave up no walks. Mike ... Read More
Surprise, surprise, Ben Roethlisberger is returning for 2017
No real surprise here: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will return for the 2017 season after previously mulling retirement. Roethlisberger took to Twitter to say the following: Informed the team I am looking forward to my 14th season. Steeler Nation will get my absolute best! — Ben. — BigBen7.com (@_BigBen7) April 7, 2017 Roethlisberger has played 13 seasons with the Steelers. After Pittsburgh's loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, ... Read More
Third game of Pirates-Red Sox series postponed due to rain
After dropping the first two games of the series to the Boston Red Sox, the Pittsburgh Pirates won't have a chance to get one back just yet. The third game of the series, scheduled for Thursday at 1:35 p.m. ET, has been postponed due to rain. The game has been rescheduled for next Thursday, April 13, at 2:05 p.m. The Pirates will be coming off a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds and will be heading to Chicago to take on the Cubs on April 14. Pittsburgh's next game will now ... Read More
Red Sox outlast Pirates 3-0 in 12-inning pitcher’s duel
The Pittsburgh Pirates never had a runner in scoring position in Wednesday night's game — yet it still took 12 innings for the Boston Red Sox to get the 3-0 win. With one out in the bottom of the 12th, Boston catcher Sandy León drilled a ball 359 feet to deep left center, scoring Jackie Bradley Jr. and Pablo Sandoval, both of whom got on base via walks given up by Pittsburgh reliever Antonio Bastardo. León made a base running error in the third inning that could have had the game ended ... Read More