Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Friday, September 25, 2015. What's on tap for today: Since losing three-of-four to the Chicago Cubs (89-63) in Pittsburgh, last week, the Pirates (93-60) have won six of their last seven games. Despite their recent success, they haven't gained much ground on their NL Central rivals. They remain four games behind the St. Louis Cardinals and just three games ahead of the Cubs, who the Pirates will visit at Wrigley Field for a three-game ... Read More
Pens announce schedule for ‘Pittsburgh Gold’ alternates
“Pittsburgh Gold” is back. The Penguins hugely popular throwback alternate jerseys that were introduced last season will make a return appearance for the 2015-16 campaign, the team announced on Thursday. The Penguins will wear their third sweaters 11 times at Consol Energy Center this season: Thurs. Oct. 29 vs. Buffalo Wed. Nov. 11 vs. Montreal Tue. Nov. 17 vs. Minnesota Sat. Nov. 28 vs. Edmonton Fri. Dec. 18 vs. Boston Sat. Jan. 2 vs. New York Islanders Thurs. Jan. 21 vs. ... Read More
AM Joe: Bucs clinch; go for four-game sweep today
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Thursday, September 24, 2015. What's on tap for today: Pirates (92-60) will have an afternoon contest against against the Colorado Rockies (63-80). Despite earning a playoff berth last night, the Bucs still have work to do, as they trail the St. Louis Cardinals by four games in the NL Central. Jeff Locke will make what could be his final start of his season against Chad Bettis at 3:10 p.m. ROOT Sports ... Read More
Penguins make two roster moves
The Penguins made a pair of minor cuts on Wednesday morning after their second preseason game. General manager Jim Rutherford announced that right-wingers Tom Kostopoulos and Jaden Lindo have been cut from the training camp roster. Kostopoulos, 36, is the captain of the Penguins American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and will report to their training camp, which begins later this week. He is under an AHL contract for the 2015-16 season, and as a result, will not have to clear ... Read More
AM Joe: Kessel sparkles in Pens debut
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Wednesday, September 22, 2015. What's on tap for today: Pirates (91-60) couldn't get the help they needed to clinch a playoff spot last night, but they can do it on their own accord tonight. The Colorado Rockies (63-88) again stand in the way. Charlie Morton will face Christian Bergman at 8:40 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh headlines: The Pirates staked J.A. Happ to an early lead, and he and the bullpen cruised to a 6-3 ... Read More
Beau Bennett off to strong start in crucial season
Sidney Crosby skated with newly acquired right winger Phil Kessel at the Pittsburgh Penguins training camp over the weekend, forming a combination expected to dominate the NHL in the upcoming season, but another roster fixture paired with new member of the team stuck out during the drills at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township. Beau Bennett, a fragile, underperforming forward, gelled with Nick Bonino, the probable third line center acquired via trade in the offseason. Bennett ... Read More
AM Joe: Pens host Canes in preseason home opener
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Tuesday, September 21, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Penguins (1-0-0) will skate at Consol Energy Center for the first time in the 2015-16 season. The Pens will host the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at 7:00 p.m. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury, Kris Letang and Phil Kessel (above) are all expected to play for the Pens. 105.9 WXDX-FM Pirates (90-60) lefty J.A. Happ will continue his audition for a spot in the postseason ... Read More
AM Joe: Bucs in Denver as manager Hurdle faces former squad
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Sunday, September 20, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Penguins (0-0-0) will open their preseason with a 7:00 p.m. face-off against the Blue Jackets in Columbus, Ohio. 105.9 WXDX-FM The Pirates (89-60) are in Denver for the first of a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies (63-86). Pirates manager Clint Hurlde was the manager of the Rockies from 2002 to 2009 and took them all the way to the World Series in 2007 (right). A.J. ... Read More
AM Joe: ‘Ground Chuck’ on the lunch menu for Bucs/Cubs
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Thursday, September 17, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Penguins will open training camp at their new Cranberry Twp. practice facility. General manager Jim Rutherford and head coach Mike Johnston will speak to the media around 11:00 a.m. The Pirates (87-58) will try to salvage a split of their four-game series with the Chicago Cubs (84-61) this afternoon. Charlie Morton will do the heavy lifting for the Bucs. First pitch is at ... Read More
Mike Johnston fared well in debut season as Penguins coach
Mike Johnston fared about as well as expected as a rookie coach in the 2014–15 season. The numbers stack up well against other coaches debuts, while Johnston arguably faced greater challenges and adversity throughout the season, namely injury and salary cap woes. Of 12 NHL coaches, only five finished debut seasons with higher win percentages compared to a 0.598 win percentage by Johnston. Five of the 12, including Johnston, lost in the first round of the postseason, while only two advanced ... Read More