The 2016 Pittsburgh Pirates are a much different team from years past. For the first time since 2010 when they lost 52 games by the fourth of July, the Pirates (42-41) have questions regarding their role when it comes to the trade deadline. As always, the trade deadline (August 1 this year) is bound to be an exciting one. With the Pirates sitting just one game above the .500 mark, many think that it may be time to sell and bring younger talent into the organization. However, the time is now ... Read More
Pirates split series vs Mariners as Pittsburgh’s offense awakens
A day after the frustrated Pittsburgh Pirates could do no right, smiles were aplenty as they beat the Seattle Mariners 8-1 Wednesday night. The Pirates were able to capitalize off Mariners starter Wade Miley, who was making his first start since coming off the disabled list after recovering from a shoulder injury. Miley (6-4) didn't make it to the fifth inning as he had already allowed five runs on seven hits through four innings while also throwing 74 pitches. See also: Niese's miscues ... Read More
Backend relievers provide needed stability in Pirates’ 8-6 win over Dodgers
It's approaching five years since the infamous game that gave baseball fans the phrase, “Jerry Meals says it's safe.” The play happened in the 19th inning where it appeared that then-Pirates catcher Michael McKenry clearly tagged the Atlanta Braves' runner out. But Meals, the umpire, disagreed. Ever since, Meals hasn't been a welcome name to Pirates fans, who boo him each time public address announcer Tim DeBacco says Meals' name.But, Friday night, those same Pirates fans couldn't help but ... Read More
What can we learn from Jameson Taillon’s three major league starts?
Welcome to the Show, kid. Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher Jameson Taillon has only made three starts in his short MLB career, but he’s made an impression with each and every one of them — especially in his second start, where he had a no-hitter going into the seventh inning. So what kind of future does the 24-year-old prospect have in the big leagues? He’s had an up-and-down journey to this point. Highlights: second overall pick in the 2010 overall draft, striking out Ryan ... Read More
Pirates’ season hinges on next few weeks
In the eyes of many Pittsburgh sports fans, there's a bit of an empty feeling. The Penguins' season is over, and the Steelers' season hasn't started yet — so what now? Over the past three years, the strong play of the Pirates has tided fans over during the sports lull, but a stretch of poor play has some fans feeling blasé. Prior to Monday night's 1-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants, the Pirates had lost their last five games and 10 of their last 11. They are currently one ... Read More
Taillon’s gem against Mets one Pirates sorely needed
“Pressure is a privilege,” Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon said after Tuesday's game against the New York Mets. And, on the big stage of the majors for only the second time, he sure made quite the impression. The 24-year-old righty had a no-hitter going into the seventh inning against the reigning National League champions. The Pirates won, 4-0. “I said after my first start, ‘I don't think I could draw it up any better than to get a win,’ and I did,” Taillon told ... Read More
Pirates move Gerrit Cole to DL, Jameson Taillon recalled
The Pittsburgh Pirates officially put pitcher Gerrit Cole on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 11 with a right tricep strain. In his place, they called up pitcher Jameson Taillon. Taillon (0-0, 4.50 ERA) will start Tuesday night's game against the New York Mets and Jacob deGrom (3-2, 2.80 ERA). Cole was injured in the third inning of Friday night's game against the St. Louis Cardinals, and he was lifted from the game as a precaution. Over the weekend, Pirates general manager Neal ... Read More
Short bullpen costs Pirates extra-inning game vs. Mets
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitchers Mark Melancon and Neftali Feliz have had great seasons, but their success in Tuesday's doubleheader came at a cost: Neither was available for Wednesday's game against the New York Mets. The Pirates' short-handed bullpen flinched, resulting in a 6-5 Mets victory in 10 innings. Cory Luebke (0-1) came in for the 10th inning and needed 21 pitches to get through it, but he allowed the game-winning run. To start, he allowed Yoenis Cespedes and Neil Walker to ... Read More
Jameson Taillon ready for MLB debut with Pittsburgh
Francisco Liriano was scheduled to be Wednesday's starter, but his start was pushed back to Saturday. This meant that someone had to take his place and the Pirates decided that it would be on one of its top prospects, Jameson Taillon. Normally Indianapolis Indians manager Dean Treanor pranks promoted players in front of his teammates but the immediate situation meant that would not happen this time. “My heart was racing," Taillon said to reporters of the call-up. "I gave my parents a call ... Read More
Pirates sweep doubleheader against Mets
Doubleheaders always bring the potential of unique accomplishments, and Tuesday's contests between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Mets brought some of those into play. Both games ended the same, a 3-1 Pirates victory giving the home team nine consecutive wins over the Mets, the most in franchise history. Often times in doubleheaders, relief pitchers appear in one game, but both Mark Melancon and Neftali Feliz appeared in each of the victories. Feliz allowed the lone run in Game ... Read More