Follow @TBerardi_OVA The September NL Rookie of the Month, Gerrit Cole continued his outstanding string of starts with another six inning gem on Friday afternoon in St. Louis as the Pirates evened the NLDS at one with a 7 - 1 victory over the Cardinals. Cole experienced some trouble in the first when Carlos Beltran laced a one out double into the right-center gap. He would settle, though and retire the next eleven batters he faced until giving up a lead-off homer by Yadier Molina to start ... Read More
Three Keys to the Pirates Staying in the Playoffs
It may have come as a surprise to those who watch the Pirates from afar, but they are a pretty good team. The Reds certainly underestimated them, and now they are out of the playoffs, one and done. If the Pirates want to stay in the playoffs and make the longest run in the post season for a generation, they are going to have to show up in a few areas to make the magic last. The Pirates are in an enviable position right now. No matter what, they’ve already won. Not only did they break .500 and ... Read More
Cup of Joe: Would you trust Burnett in Game 5?
The fans and the Pirates were riding high after an emotional win over the Reds on Tuesday. It was their year. It was "Buctober." Not a thing in the world could stop them going into the series against the Cardinals. They had their de facto "ace" taking the hill in A.J. Burnett, and the world would once again see how mighty these Pirates are. Well, that sounds all well and good, but that's not how it went. The Cardinals took it to the Pirates and Burnett on Thursday afternoon, to take a 1-0 ... Read More
Burnett Struggles, Cardinals Capitalize in 9 – 1 Rout
Follow @TBerardi_OVA A.J. Burnett didn't have his stuff, today as he allowed the Cardinals to break out in a seven run third inning in route to a 9 - 1 victory in game one of the NLDS on Thursday afternoon. No one was able to break the scoreboard through the first two innings. The Cardinals came close in the second, when they had first and second with no out. Burnett then would get two groundouts, the second being a double play to end the inning without damage. He wouldn't be as ... Read More
Pirates release NLDS roster
After a monumental win over the Reds on Tuesday night, the Pirates packed their bags for St. Louis. With a five-game series ahead, the Pirates have officially announced their NLDS 25-man roster. Pitchers — A.J. Burnett Francisco Liriano Gerrit Cole Charlie Morton Jason Grilli Mark Melancon Bryan Morris Tony Watson Vin Mazzaro Jeanmar Gomez Justin Wilson Infielders — Justin Morneau Neil Walker Clint Barmes Pedro Alvarez Jordy Mercer Josh ... Read More
Cup of Joe: I guess the fans can make a difference
There are a lot of things out there that I don't believe in when it comes to sports. First off, I don't believe that being "clutch" is a real thing. There are athletes who won't perform in the key situations or will crumble, but by looking at the numbers, no one raises their performance in the situations. Then there's being injury plagued. It's a label given to an athlete who seems to always be hurt. Think Matt Forte or Darren McFadden. Is this athlete really destined to get injured or are ... Read More
The Pirates…and Their Fans Beat the Reds 6 – 2
Follow @TBerardi_OVA Pittsburgh has waited 21 years for a game like this to occur and they made sure their voices were heard as they rattled Johnny Cueto, leading to an early lead which enough for Francisco Liriano, who threw another gem against the Reds in a 6 - 2 NL Wild Card victory on Tuesday night. The momentum started to swing in the top of the second when Marlon Byrd, who was making his first postseason plate appearance, homered to left sending the already loud crowd at PNC into a ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: The Playoffs Are Finally Back in Pittsburgh
Follow @TBerardi_OVA The Pittsburgh Pirates (94 - 68) are back in the postseason for the first time since 1992 as they will take on the Cincinnati Reds (90 - 72). Francisco Liriano (16 - 8, 3.02 ERA) will take on Pirate killer, Johnny Cueto (5 - 2, 2.82 ERA). This will be the first time PNC Park has seen postseason action and the first time Pittsburgh has seen a postseason game since October 11, 1992. Hurdle's Quotes On emotions for tonight's game last night-- "I had a very trying evening. ... Read More
Pirate of the Year: Andrew McCutchen
For the better part of the MLB season, we've been choosing our "Pirate of the Week" each week. Now, as the regular season is over and the Pittsburgh Pirates head into the postseason and get set to host the Wild Card playoff game, we want to bring you our Pirate of the Year. Without further hesitation, your Pirate of the Year is ... Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen has been heralded as the team's MVP all season. Just about every at-bat he has the chants of "MVP" ring out through PNC Park and even on ... Read More
Pirates release wild card roster
Here is the Pirates wild card roster: 9 pitchers - Gerrit Cole Jeanmar Gomez Jason Grilli Francisco Liriano Vin Mazzaro Mark Melancon Bryan Morris Tony Watson Justin Wilson 3 catchers: Russell Martin Tony Sanchez John Buck 8 infielders: Pedro Alvarez Clint Barmes Josh Harrison Garrett Jones Jordy Mercer Justin Morneau Gaby Sanchez Neil Walker 5 outfielders: Marlon Byrd Starling ... Read More