Chad Kuhl's first career at-bat Sunday probably won't be memorable. He struck out, as pitchers often do at the plate. But it wasn't a typical strikeout. The Pittsburgh Pirates rookie fouled off five pitches and took another two for balls before he failed to connect with the eighth pitch he saw. In doing so, Kuhl drove Los Angeles Dodgers' ace Clayton Kershaw's pitch count up to 37 on the night and 21 in the second inning. Kuhl then helped set the stage for fellow rookie Adam ... Read More
No Pirates on NL All-Star final ballot update
On the final NL All-Star ballot update, there are a lot of familiar faces in the top-5 at their position. It's just that none of them happen to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates. In fact, only two Pirates are even close to the top-5: outfielders Starling Marte (No. 8) and Andrew McCutchen (No. 9). And both players are more than a million votes away from being one of the All-Star Game's three starting outfielders — with only a few days before ballots close. McCutchen, who has been an All-Star ... Read More
Pirates could benefit from National League adopting DH
Light your torches. Grab your pitch forks. Call Bob Walk. Because I'm going to make a statement that might shake baseball's purists to their core: The Pittsburgh Pirates would benefit from the National League adding the designated hitter. I can hear the screams from where I am in Missouri. Now, keep in mind this isn't an avocation for the NL to adopt a DH. Pitchers hitting adds another layer of depth and strategy to the game, which would disappear if everyone had a DH. Not to mention it ... Read More
Liriano’s inconsistencies continue in Pirates’ loss
Up 4-0 in Monday's game, it appeared the Pittsburgh Pirates were well on their way to a sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. But before anyone could say, “Get out the brooms,” the Pirates gave up the lead and lost the game 5-4. The Pirates got the Dodgers on the ropes early when Los Angeles pitcher Scott Kazmir struggled through a 40-pitch first inning. Pittsburgh left fielder Starling Marte started the scoring with an RBI single. Right fielder Sean Rodriguez added to the tally by drawing a ... Read More
Is it too early to write off the Pittsburgh Pirates?
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 76 games into the 2016 season, and they aren't exactly in an ideal position. The Pirates, who are 37-39 this year, sit 12 games behind the Chicago Cubs for first place and three games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for second place in the NL Central. The team has endured an abundance of issues; however, it's not time to completely write off the Pirates just yet. Young rotation help arriving When it comes to the starting rotation, it's no secret they've struggled this ... Read More
Huntington: Glasnow, Bell will remain in Triple-A for time being
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington met with reporters Sunday. Here's what he had to say. On prized prospect Josh Bell: “Defensively, he continues to be a work in progress and is getting better, but there is still work to do. With Josh, we are talking about an outfielder moving into the infield, and that takes more time. It's more game situation and awareness and where he needs to be and what he needs to do. Offensively, the power is beginning to show. He'll learn how to work ... Read More
Pirates’ key to success? Having fun
Forgive the Pirates for having a rather somber clubhouse more often than not this month. That's why the last three days have been special for the Pirates. Not only have they been getting wins, but they've been doing so in spectacular fashion. “Our starters gave us quality starts, and our offense came through with big hits and scoring runs,” said catcher Chris Stewart. “That’s our typical type of baseball we like to play. The goal is to keep that momentum going and play (like that) the rest of ... Read More
In MLB debut, Chad Kuhl bests Clayton Kershaw, 4-3
In the fifth inning, a pitch skipped off Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Chris Stewart's glove, and he immediately went into panic mode. “‘Oh no,’ that was my first thought,” Stewart said. If Stewart couldn't react quickly, Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner would score. Immediately, Stewart scrambled to the wall, correctly read the bounce and dove. As this was going on, Pirates starting pitcher Chad Kuhl made a beeline for home plate, and Stewart threw a ball right at his ... Read More
Kuhl, Pirates prepared for big test against Dodgers
Tonight, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Pittsburgh Pirates are attempting to win a series after dropping four straight. Pitcher Chad Kuhl will make his Major League debut, and on the other side of the mound will be none other than one of the best pitchers in the game, Clayton Kershaw (11-1, 1.57 ERA). Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said he thinks Kuhl will do well tonight on the biggest stage of the 23-year-old's career. “(Kuhl's) electric early, and we’re trying to fine-tune ... Read More
Patience is key for Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are just 7-20 since May 27. But losses are one thing; how a team reacts to those losses tells the story. “When you’re not getting the results you want, I think maybe it leads to trying harder than you need to,” Pirates pitcher Kyle Lobstein offered. ”I guess when you’re talking about patience when things aren’t going well, it’s more of a mindset of finding yourself. When things are going well, it’s easy to be patient and things fall into place, so you don’t really have ... Read More