Skepticism would be a good way to describe how fans feel about Jeff Locke projecting to be a part of this season's Pittsburgh Pirates pitching rotation. Locke did himself no favors allowing four runs in his two innings of a 10-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers. Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage has worked with Locke to try to correct things which could allow him to find more consistent success and this could very well be a byproduct of making the adjustment. It also could be the same old ... Read More
Pirates offseason analyzed: New additions
It has been a busy time all around baseball as the 2015 season is over and teams are trying to find the right pieces to make a run toward the 2016 World Series. The Pittsburgh Pirates are no different and have welcomed some faces, while saying goodbye to other ones. Hellos: Oct. 24 Pirates acquire Trevor Williams - This was a bizarre acquisition as this was later revealed to be compensation for the Pirates losing their "pitching guru" in Jim Benedict, someone whose opinion had high ... Read More
Pirates lose opener to Dodgers; lead over Cubs down to one game
The Los Angeles Dodgers have defended Dodgers Stadium well all season and did so once again on Friday night, winning 6-2 over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The loss snapped a six-game winning streak that the Pirates had over L.A. and dropped them to 21-6 against National League West opponents this season. Early inning woes again reared their head again as the Dodgers scored single runs in both the first and second inning of the contest. Pirates catchers have had trouble getting runners out ... Read More
Pirates pregame 9/17: Former reliever gives Watson valuable advice
The Pittsburgh Pirates will look to win its afternoon contest Thursday afternoon against the Chicago Cubs. If the Pirates do win it will avoid losing its first four-game series of the season. This afternoon, Charlie Morton will face Kyle Hendricks. Morton is 3-5 with a 4.71 ERA in 13 career starts against the Cubs. Morton won his last start, snapping a three-game losing streak. In the start, Morton allowed two runs on three hits over six innings of work against the Milwaukee ... Read More
Pirates put up 10 runs against the Brewers
Jeff Locke made it through 6.1 innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates won 10-2 Saturday night against the Milwaukee Brewers. The difference-maker for the Pirates in this game was a five-run third inning. Gregory Polanco led off with a walk to reach base for the 48 of his past 59 games. Josh Harrison then added a single and Andrew McCutchen did the same, recording his 91st RBI in the process. This placed the Pirates in front by a 1-0 score. Aramis Ramirez then hit a double, which brought home ... Read More
Pirates pregame 9/12: Marte scratched, Hurdle sets rotation for Cubs
The Pittsburgh Pirates ended a seven-game losing streak with a 6-3 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers. The last time the Pirates won before last night's game was June 10. “We got the monkey off our back, now but it’s two teams that know each other very well now," Jordy Mercer said. "It’s the beauty of this game, anybody can beat anyone on any given day regardless of their record.” Chris Stewart came away with three RBI, his highest total since Aug. 20, 2013 when he also had three ... Read More
Burnett makes return to Pirates rotation Thursday
Following Monday afternoon's loss to the Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle announced that A.J. Burnett will return to pitch for the team Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers. Hurdle laid out the rotation for assembled media and this was later confirmed by the Pirates. Francisco Liriano and J.A. Happ will throw as scheduled in the remaining two games against the Reds and Burnett will follow along with Charlie Morton and Jeff Locke. This news means a few ... Read More
Pirates miscues give Reds win
The Pittsburgh Pirates defense betrayed Jeff Locke, as the team fell by a 3-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds Monday afternoon. Locke [7-10] only allowed four hits in his five-plus innings of work, however the Pirates defense did him no favors committing four errors in this game. Two of those errors were committed by Sean Rodriguez who made his first start this season at shortstop. Though Rodriguez takes ground balls at the position every day there is on-field batting practice, he committed ... Read More
Locke, Pirates continue struggles versus NL Central
Coming into Wednesday night's start against the Milwaukee Brewers, Jeff Locke had made two quality starts since June 17. After departing the start, Locke still had two quality starts since June 17 as the Pittsburgh Pirates lost 9-4 to the Brewers. Locke pitched 3.2 innings, matching his shortest outing of the season, which previously came April 28 against the Chicago Cubs. Additionally, relievers Joe Blanton and Arquimedes Caminero saw their scoreless streaks come to an end. Blanton ... Read More
Pirates mailbag: Glasnow, who starts at third, and Happ or Locke
The MLB Playoffs are just around the corner and the Pirates are in good position to make a run at the National League Central. If that does not pan out, they do hold the top spot in the NL Wild Card race. With that in mind, PSN readers submitted their questions and for the first time, I will take them on in this mailbox. Does Tyler Glasnow get called in before season's end and if not does he see PNC Park before Jameson Taillon? - Chris Carter At the end of the day, calling up Tyler ... Read More