At this point last month, you were considered negative for saying the Pirates were going to collapse and miss the playoffs. The city was in. The true fans and bandwagon fans alike had this team's back. The players believed and the clubhouse was more alive than ever. The public relations staff had to send out an email about ways to purchase playoff tickets. The last time that happened, email was hardly around. The fans waited 19 years for this. They've waited 19 years of constant reminders that ... Read More
Barardi’s baseball update: The Rays look to leapfrog this week
Updated Playoff Races - 10/3 Every week, I will update you on the playoff races going on in the majors along with who those teams will face in the upcoming week. (Take note, All GB are based on loss column ONLY. I don’t believe in the ½ game stat because those are games that can be controlled by a team. AL East The Yankees went 3-4 against the Orioles and Rays allowing them to gain ground. The Rays could jump both teams as they play three against each this week. 1. NY 79 – 61 -- (Off ... Read More
Injury bug effecting playoff race (AL Update)
These are injuries that have been sustained within the last month. (Courtesy of MLB.com) With only three weeks left in the regular season there are many key injuries to contending teams. Today we will look at the AL contenders. (Look for the NL update next week). AL East The Yankees seem to have the upper hand as they are getting two of their big guns back. The Orioles took a hit with Markakis breaking his thumb while the Rays hope David Price’s injury is minimal. Balt – Jim Thome ... Read More
Attendance for contenders down across the league
Attendance numbers for Tuesday, Sept. 5 (Contenders Only) SF: 41,038 - 1st Place in the NL West LA [NL]: 40,619 - 1 Game behind 2nd Wild Card StL: 34,108 - 2nd Wild Card spot Det: 27,729 - 1 game back in AL Central Cin: 17,806 - 1st in the NL Central TB: 17,652 - two Games behind 2nd Wild Card Was: 17,648 - 1st Place in NL East Atl: 16,686 - 1st Wild Card spot Chi: 15,698 - 1st Place in AL Central Pit: 12,785 - two Games behind 2nd Wild Card Oak: 11,688 - 2nd ... Read More
Brock Holt the everyday shortstop?
I'm pulling for Brock Holt. I really am. I was excited to watch him collect four hits last night as the Pirates defeated the Astros in a crucial game. Heck, I like Holt a lot just for the hashtags that people use around his name. (Lightning Holt, Party like a Brock-star, Brock you like a Hurricane are some of my favorites). But as expected when a player does well in his first handful of games, especially when they can play middle infield, the question comes if this guy can play shortstop or ... Read More
Pirates led by Pedro and a Wandy-ful performance on ESPN
It's been seven years since the Pirates have been a nationally televised game on ESPN. That was prior to to the All-Star game in Pittsburgh. No one on this current team was here. Last season, John Kruk was pushing for the mothership to make an appearance in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, the Pirates were out of the race by the time ESPN considered it. So with their success last year, ESPN had to consider a trip to Pittsburgh at the beginning of the year right? Actually, no. In their N.L. Central ... Read More
An MVP on the field and a big kid off it – McCutchen does it all
On any given evening at PNC Park, you will hear multiple cheers and multiple jeers ring throughout the north shore stadium. Whether it's cheering on your favorite pierogies, or it's booing Ryan Braun, the fans get into the game. There is however, one that sticks out more than the others. "M-V-P, M-V-P, M-V-P." Not since the times of Barry Bonds in the early 1990s was a Pittsburgh Pirate worthy of this praise. Not only does Andrew McCutchen boost a line of .345/.411/.568 with 24 home runs ... Read More
Pirates release Erik Bedard
It seems if one of the 'Killer B's" acquired in the offseason is no more. According to sources close to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and Michael Sanserino of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates have released left-hander Erik Bedard. Bedard would wind up pitching his last game in a Pirates uniform on Sunday afternoon after he didn't give up a hit through three innings. In the fourth however, Bedard gave up back-to-back singles and then a three-run home run to Carlos ... Read More
Berardi’s baseball update
Updated Playoff Races - 9/27 Every week, I will update you on the playoff races going on in the majors along with who those teams will face in the upcoming week. (Take note, All GB are based on loss column ONLY. I don’t believe in the ½ game stat because those are games that can be controlled by a team.) AL East The Yankees held a seven-game advantage over Baltimore and Tampa Bay at the start of the month. The lead is now four. 1. NY 74 – 53 -- (3 vs. Tor 56 - 70, Off ... Read More
Pirates top 20 prospects
1. RHP Gerrit Cole (AA): Cole may not be dominating the minors like some hoped, but he’s been pitching well since joining the Pirates system and his stuff has been as advertised. He still looks like a frontline starter and 200 inning+ workhorse. 2. RHP Jameson Taillon (AA): Taillon joined Cole in AA Altoona last week, and had an impressive debut, pitching five shutout innings while striking out six. Taillon, like Cole has had good but not great minor league numbers. Cole and Taillon are 1a ... Read More