Four of the Pittsburgh Pirates' seven farm teams have advanced to the minor-league playoffs, which began on Wednesday. The Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, Double-A Altoona Curve, and High-A West Virginia Power got playoff action underway last night as the Low-A West Virginia Black Bears were rained out, and instead will start their road to the championship tonight against the Williamsport Crosscutters. Here's a look at the current playoff matchups for the aforementioned farm ... Read More
Opinion: the Pirates can still win the NL Central
Are you really surprised? The Pirates are headed for another season on the back burner of the NL Central; another season headed for a wildcard berth, and another season in which the St. Louis Cardinals give Pirates fans extra gray hairs that they (and I) could seriously live without. Despite playing in the toughest division in baseball, the Pirates would have a multi-game lead over the current leader in four of the five other divisions. Let that just sink in for a moment. A team cursed by ... Read More
AM Joe: Deebo or Batman?
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Thursday, September 10, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Pirates (83-55) are back at PNC Park after a 4-5 road trip to Milwaukee, St. Louis and Cincinnati. A.J. Burnett (above) will make his return to the starting rotation after missing six weeks with a forearm injury. The Bucs are hosting the Brewers for four games this weekend. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh The Steelers will kick off the 2015 National ... Read More
Kang’s grand slam leads Pirates over Reds
The Pittsburgh Pirates game into Wednesday night's game, the 138th of the regular season, without a grand slam. One swing of Jung Ho Kang's bat in the sixth inning changed that, and his first career grand slam led the Pirates to victory over the Cincinnati Reds. On the mound, J.A. Happ also continued his string of success, allowing two runs over six innings while striking out a season-high 10 batters. It was the first time he struck out 10 or more batters since Aug. 7, 2014. Despite all of ... Read More
AM Joe: Bucs get 82, still chasing Cardinals
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Wednesday, September 10, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Pirates (82-55) will try for a series win in Cincinnati tonight. The Bucs are now just 4.5 games back of the Cardinals in the NL Central. The Cardinals play the Cubs this afternoon. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh Pittsburgh headlines: The Bucs beat the Reds 7-3 as starter Francisco Liriano struck out 10 over six innings and went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double. While ... Read More
Then versus now: The significance of win No. 82
The Pittsburgh Pirates celebrated their 7-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday with their usual line of high-fives. There was no fanfare, no parade planned or champagne popping. It was just another win. Much like their 1-0 victory over the Texas Rangers on September 9, 2013 was just another win, as was their 3-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox on September 18, 2014. All three of the aforementioned wins secured the Pirates a winning season. Did you know they did? Did you care? If you ... Read More
Liriano dominates Reds; Pirates secure winning season
Francisco Liriano picked up his first ever regular season victory against the Cincinnati Reds as the Pittsburgh Pirates emerged victorious in a 7-3 contest Tuesday night. Liriano [10-7] threw six innings and struck out 10 batters, the first time he has punched out a double-digit total of hitters since July 23 against the Washington Nationals. This is also Liriano's fourth 10-win season of his career. According to Pirates PR with Liriano's 10 strikeouts he has 178 on the season. He joins ... Read More
Pirates release 2016 schedule
The fireworks won't take long to get going in 2016 for the Pirates, as they'll kick off their season at home against their bitter rival St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, April 4. It will be the first time since 2007 that the Pirates will host the Cardinals for the Home Opener. It's one of the marquee match ups for the Pirates, as the team released their 2016 regular season schedule. The Pirates will get interleague action in early, as after a quick road trip after the home opener to ... Read More
Players traded from Pirates at deadline have yet to show much
You have to give to get. And in baseball, sometimes what a team gives up is worth more than what they got in return. But that has not been the case for the Pittsburgh Pirates this season. Prior to the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, the Pirates acquired Aramis Ramirez, Joakim Soria, J.A. Happ, Joe Blanton and Michael Morse. Given up were prospects Yhonathan Barrios, Adrian Sampson and JaCoby Jones, veteran Jose Tabata and cash. It is easy to declare which team wins a certain trade ... Read More
AM Joe: Short week begins for Steelers
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Tuesday, September 8, 2015. What's on tap for today: Penn State head coach James Franklin and WVU head coach Dana Holgorson will have their weekly press conferences this afternoon. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh The Pirates (81-55) will have another shot at the last-place Reds (57-79) in Cincinnati this evening. The Bucs remain 5.5 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh National headlines: ESPN.com ... Read More