Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the Pirates (34-35) begin a three-game set with the Reds (33-35). Brandon Cumpton (2-2, 6.06 ERA) will take the hill for the home team and will oppose Johnny Cueto (6-5, 1.85 ERA). DL Update -- Neil Walker will take BP and fielding practice prior to today's game. He will also simulate getting prepared to pinch-hit during the game. -- Francisco Liriano will maybe play catch on Thursday. -- Gerrit Cole played catch today. He had a 34-pitch side-session ... Read More
Should the Pirates look to trade Pedro Alvarez?
As Pedro Alvarez gets closer to becoming a high priced free agent after the 2016 season, the reality seems to be that Alvarez's days in Pittsburgh are numbered. This is especially the case if you ask the average Pirates fan. They seem increasingly frustrated with Alvarez's inability to hit for a higher average, his at times frustrating defense and his lack of production over long stretches. For all the criticism Alvarez has received in the past few seasons, especially of late, few hitters ... Read More
Polanco is Already Making His Mark in Pittsburgh
Gregory Polanco wasn't on many people's radars at this time last year. The right fielder was just making the jump from high-A Bradenton to AA Altoona. What he has done since then has possibly changed the course of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for at least the next four years. Polanco is currently posting a .387 (12-for-31)/.484/.890 line in his six games as a Pirate with seven runs and 5 RBI. He also has one home run, which proved to be the difference maker in a 13-inning victory over ... Read More
Can Pirates fix Leaky Shark Tank?
Throughout his tenure as the Pittsburgh Pirates general manager, one thing Neal Huntington has always been able to do is assemble a quality bullpen. Last season during the Pirates playoff run, the "Shark Tank," was a weapon that Pirates manager Clint Hurdle could turn to at any time and would get quality results. That hasn't been the case so far this season, even though almost the entire bullpen is back from a season ago. The Pirates bullpen was shaky at best in winning two of three ... Read More
Pirates Player of the Week: Gregory Polanco
Its been quite a start for Pirate of the Week, Gregory Polanco. After months of speculation, Pirates super prospect Polanco received the news everyone was waiting for on Monday. Polanco would officially be a Pittsburgh Pirate. After some ups and downs in his debut Tuesday night against the Chicago Cubs, its fair to say Polanco is finding the stroke that had him rated as not only the top prospect in the Pirates system, but in all of baseball. Going into Sunday's series finale against the ... Read More
Marlins Walk-Off Pirates 3-2
After finally reaching the .500 mark for the first time since April 8th, the Pittsburgh Pirates looked for another accomplishment that had not happened since 1993, go into south Florida and sweep the Miami Marlins. Unfortunately, former Pirate Casey McGehee had other ideas. The Marlins (35-33) were led by McGehee's three hit, three RBI performance as the Marlins came back to thwart the Pirates attempt at the sweep in 10 innings, 3-2. Starter Vance Worley was exceptional making his debut for ... Read More
Pirates call up Vance Worley to start Sunday vs. Marlins
Needing to call up a starting pitcher to take Francisco Liriano's spot in the rotation on Sunday, the Pittsburgh Pirates have listed right-hander Vance Worley from Triple-A Indianapolis prior to Saturday's game against the Miami Marlins. The promotion of Worley wasn't much of a secret as he was the most logical candidate, especially after his Triple-A start was skipped on Friday night. Worley will be making his debut with the Pirates, who acquired him on March 25 from the Minnesota ... Read More
Jeff Locke giving Pirates a much needed boost
At this time last season, Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke was sitting with a 7-1 record and a 2.06 ERA on his way to making his first All-Star appearance of his young career. Needless to say things didn't go very well for Locke after that but the southpaw has made the long road back to being a contributor in the Pirates' rotation. After an eight inning performance Friday night in which Locke allowed only seven hits and a pair of runs while striking out seven, he's making a ... Read More
Polanco, Gomez Pick Up Pirates Bullpen
Four games into his Major League Baseball career, Gregory Polanco has already made quite the impact. On Friday night in Miami, the Pittsburgh Pirates (33-34) needed every one of his five hits, the fifth being a game-winning two-run home run in the top of the 13th inning. Jeanmar Gomez (1-2) pitched four scoreless innings of relief to earn the victory over the Marlins (34-32). Pittsburgh jumped out to a 6-2 lead, knocking Marlins starter Nathan Eovaldi out of the game before he completed five ... Read More
Pirates coming through in a ‘pinch’
One thing about baseball is that it takes 25 guys to win most of the time and not just the nine guys who take the field for the first pitch. That is something that has been especially true about the Pittsburgh Pirates under Clint Hurdle as during his tenure in as the Pirates manager, he has proven that he is willing to go deep into his bench on almost a nightly basis. This season the Pirates bench is rewarding their managers’ faith in them. Just a couple years ago the Bucs had one of ... Read More