The Pittsburgh Pirates will make the playoffs. Yes, this is going to be a reality in the steel city this year. Not only will this be a new experience for the younger generation fan, it will be one for some of the young players as well. Only a handful of players on the Pirates active roster have experienced the postseason, but manager, Clint Hurdle said he's had the team prepared for this race all season. "We've had a check-and-balance system that we put in on opening day and it's continued to ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: Wandy Shut Down, Hurdle Talks Grilli Bounceback
The Pirates (85 - 62) look to rebound after last night's tough loss against the Cubs (63 - 84) in the third game of this four-game set. Gerrit Cole (7 - 7, 3.48 ERA) opposes Scott Baker (0 - 0, 0.00 ERA). Leading Off Wandy Rodriguez has been shut down for the remainder of the 2013 season by the Pirates. Rodriguez hasn't pitched since June 5th when he left in the first inning in Atlanta. He had a 6 - 4 record with a 2.59 ERA in 12 starts while striking out 46 and walking 12. The Pirates look to ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: Hurdle Applauds Fans, Gives Marte Update
The Pirates (85 - 61) are back in a tie for first in the NL Central and looking for sole possession as they take on the Cubs (62 - 84). Charlie Morton (7 - 4, 3.44 ERA) will oppose Jake Arrieta (2 - 2, 4.28 ERA). Leading Off The Pirates established a new PNC Park record with 46 wins at home this season, eclipsing the 45 - 36 record from 2012. The last three years in which the Pirates won more than 46 home games, they won the division title (1990-1992). Hurdle's Quotes On the multiple ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: Burnett “Addresses” The Media, Hurdle Talks Wandy
The Pirates (84 - 61) take to the home field for the first time tonight since breaking "the streak" as they begin a 4-game series with the Chicago Cubs (62 - 83). Jeff Locke (9 - 5, 3.23 ERA) will face Chris Rusin (2 -3, 2.89 ERA). Leading Off Tonight begins the final homestand of the season for the Pirates, an 11-game set with the Cubs, Padres and Reds. The Pirates will finish the season with three games in Chicago and three in Cincinnati. Burnett Addresses The Media Following Hurdle's ... Read More
Pirates Game Day: Hurdle Talks Cutch, Cardinals Series
The Pirates (77 -56) look to get back into a tie for first place in the NL Central as they take on the Cardinals (78 - 55) to start a 3-game series tonight. Francisco Liriano (14 - 6, 2.74 ERA) will face Shelby Miller (12 - 8, 2.90 ERA). Leading Off Rob Biertempfel of the Trib is reporting that Casey Sadler, promoted to Class AAA Indy today, will start in Kris Johnson's place tonight. This means Johnson could be the spot-starter on Sunday in the series finale against the Cardinals. Hurdle's ... Read More
Pirates Game Day: Hurdle Discusses Cole, Marte Update
The Pirates (77 - 55) look to get back into a tie for first as they face the Brewers (58 - 74) in the rubber match of the three game set. Gerrit Cole (6 - 6, 3.81 ERA) will oppose Yovani Gallardo (9 - 9, 4.61 ERA). Leading off John Buck will make his Pirates debut tonight as he will catch Cole and bat seventh. Hurdle's Quotes On the amount of players that will be brought up post-Sept. 1st -- "I think we're going to have a progression in place that we're going to have some guys added on ... Read More
Pirates Game Day: Grilli Talks Rehab, Locke Optioned to AA
The Pirates (76 - 55) look to bounce back after last nights disappointing loss to the Brewers (58 - 73) in game two of this 3-game set. Charlie Morton (5 - 3, 3.42 ERA) will oppose former Pirate, Tom Gorzelanny (3 - 5, 3.60 ERA) Leading Off Marlon Byrd will make his first start as a Pirate tonight as he will bat in the cleanup spot and play right field. John Buck will be available off of the bench. To make room for these two on the 25-man roster, Tony Sanchez and Jeff Locke have been sent to ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: NH, Hurdle Talk Locke, Trade, Marte Update
The Pirates (76 - 54) return to PNC to begin the second-to-last homestand of the season as they take on the Milwaukee Brewers (57 - 73). Jeff Locke (9 - 4, 3.01 ERA) will look to get back to pre-all-star break form as he faces Kyle Lohse (9 - 8, 3.22 ERA). Leading off Today, the Pirates traded Dilson Herrera and a player to be named later to the Mets for Marlon Byrd and John Buck, the two should be in Pittsburgh for tomorrow's game. Neal Huntington's Quotes On the Trade -- "We've been ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: Wandy DL Update, Hurdle Talks Contribution
PNC Park -- The Pirates (68 - 44) look to take yet another series as they take on the Marlins (43 - 68) in game two of their three game set. Charlie Morton (3 - 3, 4.07 ERA) will face Tom Koehler (3 - 6, 4.34 ERA). Leading Off Last night's pinch-hit, walkoff home run by Josh Harrison was the first by a Pittsburgh player since Craig Wilson took Milwaukee's Chad Fox deep in the second game of a doubleheader on 9/3/2001 for a 3 - 2 victory. Hurdle's Quotes On the contributions of everyone in ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: Liriano Named N.L. POTW, Hurdle Talks Closers
(Photo Credit: Matt Freed/Post-Gazette) PNC Park -- The Pirates (67 - 44) look to enact revenge on the Marlins (43 - 67) after dropping 2-of-3 in Miami a week and a half ago. Jeff Locke (9 - 3, 2.36 ERA) will face Henderson Alvarez (2 - 1, 2.61 ERA). Leading Off Francisco Liriano was named NL Player of the Week after going 2 - 0 in two starts last week, ranking among the league leaders with 14 innings pitched (2nd) and 14 strikeouts (T-4th). His 0.64 ERA (1 ER / 14 IN) was the lowest among ... Read More