In a bit of news straight out of center field, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Starling Marte has been suspended by MLB for 80 games after testing positive for PEDs (nandrolone) and violating the league's drug policy. He will begin serving his suspension immediately. In a statement, Marte called the suspension a “difficult moment.” His full statement reads: “I have been informed that I have tested in one of the tests that are regularly done in my job. In this very difficult moment, I ... Read More
Starling Marte’s 11th-inning homer leads Pirates in sweep over Braves
Get out the brooms, because the Pittsburgh Pirates just swept the Atlanta Braves. Sunday at PNC Park, the Pirates beat the Braves 6-5 in 10 innings after winning 6-4 on Saturday and 5-4 on Friday. Pittsburgh starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (6.55 ERA, 1.64 WHIP) turned in a pretty mediocre second start of the season, giving up three runs on eight hits in six innings. Two of those runs came as a result of home runs — Dansby Swanson launched a 390-foot one-run homer in the first inning and ... Read More
Pirates raise Jolly Roger for first time this season with win over Braves
Raise it! For the first time this season, the Pittsburgh Pirates have something in the win column after Friday's 5-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park in the home opener. Pittsburgh (1-2) lost its first two games of the season to the Boston Red Sox, and a scheduled third game was rained out. Ivan Nova got the start for the Pirates and allowed just one run on six hits in six innings. It was his first Opening Day start of any sort, and he struck out four and gave up no walks. Mike ... Read More
Fifth inning derails strong Opening Day start for Gerrit Cole, Pirates
In the first four innings of Monday's season opener against the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates starter Gerrit Cole gave up one hit and one walk on 50 pitches. But all that was derailed in one frame. In the fifth inning, Cole faced all nine of Boston's batters and gave up five runs on six hits. Those five runs were all the Red Sox would need to take home the “W” on opening day at Fenway Park, beating the Pirates by a final score of 5-3. That fifth inning started innocuously enough when ... Read More
Starling Marte says he’s moving to center field next season
All offseason, there's been talk of moves regarding Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen. Now, it appears McCutchen is indeed being moved — just to a different position. Pirates outfielder Starling Marte told MLB Dominicana that he would be playing center field next season, moving over from left field. This means McCutchen and Gregory Polanco will be Pittsburgh's corner outfielders for the 2017 season. El OF @Starlingmart confirma que jugará en la pradera central para la próxima ... Read More
Five best Pittsburgh sports moments from 2016
Farewell, 2016. You won’t be missed. (But we will miss you, The King.) But as much as 2016 sucked, there were some great sports moments in the Steel City. Here, we look at the top-5 Pittsburgh sports moments from 2016. 5. Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco come into their own Andrew McCutchen had a pretty bad season — there’s really no way to sugar coat it. But fellow outfielders Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco both came into their own this season, which promises big things for ... Read More
Pirates’ Marte cruises to 2nd Gold Glove Award
“And there was noooooo doubt about it,” former Pittsburgh Pirates broadcaster Lanny Frattare used to exclaim following a victory. With the season Starling Marte had in left field for the Pirates, there was no doubt about the 2015 Gold Glove winner taking home the award for the second year in a row. Once again, Marte used both his arm and glove to position himself among the league leaders in the outfield by leading all of Major League Baseball in outfield assists with 17. The 17 assists ... Read More
Starling Marte wins 2nd consecutive Gold Glove award
Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte won his second-straight Gold Glove Award, awarded to the best defensive positional player in each league, it was announced Tuesday. He beat out finalists Christian Yelich of the Miami Marlins and Adam Duvall of the Cincinnati Reds for the honor. The Gold Glove winners are voted on by MLB managers and coaches, and a sabermetric component is also factored into the decision. And apparently the voters, too, found it hard to ignore the fact that Marte ... Read More
Column: No clear answer for team MVP
In many respects, it's hard to name an MVP for this year's Pittsburgh Pirates team. There isn't one name that truly sticks out — for once, center fielder Andrew McCutchen won't be topping this list. So, where does that leave us? The following had good seasons, but they still weren't the team MVP, so apologies to: David Freese: On the surface, this appeared to be a desperation signing by Pittsburgh. At the very least, it was a concession that third baseman Jung Ho Kang wouldn't be able ... Read More
Column: Great, now what?
Mercifully, the Pittsburgh Pirates' season (78-83) ended Sunday afternoon after a 10-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Let's be honest for a second, what reason is there for you to waste your time with another recap about how the bullpen didn't hold up their end of the bargain? None? That's what I thought, too. So, let's take a look at what needs to change for next season. This season has been over for some time now, arguably when the offseason ended and both Jeff Locke and Jon ... Read More