Disclaimer: Obviously the Pirates are not done playing baseball yet in 2015, and their focus should be on winning the World Series. But it doesn’t hurt for us to take a peek at what may happen with Happ once the season is over while we wait for the Wild Card game. J.A. Happ discovered in early August skipping a start can be a good thing. After getting roughed up by the Chicago Cubs in his first Pirates start on August 4 to the tune of nine hits and four runs given up over 4.1 innings, Happ was ... Read More
Pirates feel Huntington deserving of award
Baltimore Orioles general manager Dan Duquette has started a campaign to get his Pittsburgh Pirates counterpart Neal Huntington to be named 2015 MLB Executive of the Year. The Pirates players are on board, too. “What he’s done this year is really what he’s put together the past seven years he’s been here," Jared Hughes said. "He’s changed the mentality of our squad and organization. He finds guys with character and hires them both on and off the field.” Hughes almost referred to honoring ... Read More
AM Joe: And now, we wait
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Monday, October 5, 2015. What's on tap for today: At the craziest part of the year's sports calendar, there will be two days of nothing but anticipation, as the Pirates, Steelers, Penguins and local college teams are all off until Wednesday's Wild Card game between the Bucs and the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. At noon, Pitt (3-1. 1-0) head coach Pat Narduzzi will discuss his team's big road win over Virginia Tech and look forward to ... Read More
Pirates win to secure home field for wild card game
The Pittsburgh Pirates had a chance to control their fate in regards to determining the location of the National League Wild Card game and with a 4-0 win against the Cincinnati Reds Sunday afternoon, will ensure that it is played at PNC Park. “I’m proud of our team regardless of anything else that has gone on," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We won 98 ballgames, we’ve got a home field game in the wild card, everybody in that clubhouse contributed something this season and we’ll look forward to ... Read More
Pirates, Huntington look towards playoffs
Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington handled a variety of topics in his final regular season press conference, mostly playoff related. Below is a sampling of his remarks. Commentary of being in division with three best records: “Thank goodness the Astros aren’t in the division. The Cardinals are the model franchise for basically anybody in baseball and Cubs have been acquiring a vast amount of talent for the last four years. They’ve had the luxury to add payroll this year. The ... Read More
Pirates pregame 10/4: Game 162 has meaning
The Pittsburgh Pirates have been in the driver's seat all week when it comes to hosting the National League Wild Card game, and will be once again this afternoon in Sunday afternoon's contest, the final one of the regular season. With all of today's games being started at or close to the same time, no team has an early advantage of resting players if there is a race for a playoff spot. The Pirates fall in this spot as they lead the Chicago Cubs by one game for the right to host the NL Wild ... Read More
AM Joe: ‘Batman’ finishes regular-season career
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Sunday, October 4, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Pirates (97-64) need a win over the Reds (64-97) today or a Cubs loss to ensure home-field advantage for the Wild Card game. J.A. Happ will take the hill for the Bucs, who have won seven of his nine starts. First pitch is at 3:05 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh Pittsburgh headlines: Veteran Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett made his final start of the regular season last night, ... Read More
Pirates’ Burnett loses final regular season start
Even the Cincinnati Reds were among those standing for A.J. Burnett as he made his final regular season start. Unfortunately for him, the Pittsburgh Pirates offered little run support in a 3-1 losing effort Saturday night. Burnett's [9-7] ovation came from 34,180 fans, a mark which allowed the Pirates to set a new single-season attendance record. Fans waved Batman flags and begged Burnett for a curtain call which he did. Burnett also acknowledged the Reds dugout as he came off the field. “It ... Read More
Pirates select Cole to start Wild Card Game
In a move that will not surprise many Pittsburgh Pirates fans, manager Clint Hurdle announced Saturday afternoon that Gerrit Cole will be the team's starting pitcher for Wednesday's Wild Card game against the Chicago Cubs. “We pretty much scripted it out when we scripted the entire rotation three weeks ago," Hurdle said. For Cole this will be his first time starting game one of a wild card game, an opportunity he is looking forward to. “It’s special," Cole said. "[Hurdle] continues to ... Read More
Pirates seek to secure home field advantage; Burnett makes final regular season start
A 12 inning 6-4 victory for the Pittsburgh Pirates that a win today or a Chicago Cubs loss, would secure home field advantage for the NL Wild Card Game. With manager Clint Hurdle's announcement that Gerrit Cole will get the Pirates and the Cubs equally slam dunk decision in starting Jake Arrieta for Wednesday's game, the location is one of the few things left to determine. A.J. Burnett hopes to be able to solve the puzzle with his 10th win of the season when he faces Brandon ... Read More