Follow @TBerardi_OVA The Pirates (87 - 63) look to bounce back after yesterdays one-hitter against the Padres (69 - 80). Jeff Locke (10 - 5, 3.14 ERA) will take on Eric Stults (8 - 13, 4.03 ERA). Leading Off Starling Marte is starting in left field and batting first. It's the first time since Marte has gone on the DL that he's started. "We're a much more dynamic team with him in left field," Hurdle said. Hurdle's Quotes On if there's a competition for playoff roster spots -- "There ... Read More
Cashner Near-Perfect In Blanking of Pirates
For the second day in-a-role, there was a gem pitched at PNC. This time, it was from the visiting side as Andrew Cashner went the distance with a one-hit shutout of the Pirates on Monday night. "He's a good, good young pitcher," said manager, Clint Hurdle. "I mean, it's a power arm. He had a three-pitch mix tonight. The breaking ball, changeup, the fastball command. Not only was the stuff sharp, but he was very efficient throwing strikes all night long." Cashner actually had a perfect game ... Read More
Lambo, Glasnow Named Pirates’ MiLB Player / Pitcher-of-the-Year
The Pittsburgh Pirates today named outfielder Andrew Lambo their minor league Player-of-the-Year and Tyler Glasnow their minor league Pitcher-of-the-Year for the 2013 season. The announcement was made by Larry Broadway, Pirates’ Director of Minor League Operations. Lambo hit a combined .282 (125-for-444) with 24 doubles, five triples, 32 home runs, 99 RBI, and a .574 slugging percent- age in 120 games between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis. He led all Pirates minor leaguers with ... Read More
Pirates Postseason Pressure
The Pittsburgh Pirates will make the playoffs. Yes, this is going to be a reality in the steel city this year. Not only will this be a new experience for the younger generation fan, it will be one for some of the young players as well. Only a handful of players on the Pirates active roster have experienced the postseason, but manager, Clint Hurdle said he's had the team prepared for this race all season. "We've had a check-and-balance system that we put in on opening day and it's continued to ... Read More
Liriano Throws 6 Innings Of No-Hit Ball, Pirates Win 3 – 2
Francisco Liriano took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before allowing three straight hits, one being a game-tying homer to Wellington Castillo, but Justin Morneau backed him up with a RBI single in the 8th, propelling the Pirates to a 3 - 2 series-clinching victory on Sunday afternoon. Liriano dominated the Cubs offense through six innings while walking four. He did encounter a jam in the sixth without surrendering a hit. He walked Cubs pitcher, Travis Wood to lead off the inning. Wood ... Read More
Byrd’s Homer Lifts Pirates Back Into 1st
Marlon Byrd hit a solo home run in the seventh inning propelling Gerrit Cole and the Pirates to a 2 - 1 victory on Saturday night pulling them aside of the Cardinals, yet again, for the NL Central lead. Byrd's home run came minutes after Sister Sledge's "We Are Family" played on the loud speaker during the inning break as he and Jose Tabata took fans back to 1979 with their version of The Lumber Company with solo shots each giving the Pirates their only runs of the game. It would be enough ... Read More
NFL Fantasy Waiver Wire: Week 2
As most football seasons begin, there come some pleasant surprises in the first few weeks that help your fantasy team reach the promised land. Here are some week 2 players that could be that guy for you in a PPR league. 1) Julius Thomas: TE (Den) - 5 catches, 110 yds., 2 TD. Thomas was one of many targeted by Peyton Manning in the week one thumping of the defending Super Bowl champs. He could pan out to be the Dallas Clark of the Broncos. 2) Brian Heartline: WR (Mia) - 9 catches, 114 yds., ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: Wandy Shut Down, Hurdle Talks Grilli Bounceback
The Pirates (85 - 62) look to rebound after last night's tough loss against the Cubs (63 - 84) in the third game of this four-game set. Gerrit Cole (7 - 7, 3.48 ERA) opposes Scott Baker (0 - 0, 0.00 ERA). Leading Off Wandy Rodriguez has been shut down for the remainder of the 2013 season by the Pirates. Rodriguez hasn't pitched since June 5th when he left in the first inning in Atlanta. He had a 6 - 4 record with a 2.59 ERA in 12 starts while striking out 46 and walking 12. The Pirates look to ... Read More
Fantasy Football Week 2 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em
Week 2 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 1 Recap: Best calls: Carson Palmer 327 yards, 2 TDs, 1 int or Sit Ben Roethlisberger Shane Vereen 101 Rush yards, 7 Rec 53 yards or Sit Montee Ball Michael Floyd 4 Rec, 82 yards or Sit Greg Jennings Julius Thomas 5 Rec, 110 yards, 2 TDs or Sit Kyle Rudolph Worst calls: Sit Eli Manning Start Lamar Miller (Still a believer though) Sit DeSean Jackson Start Zach Sudfeld (Started him in 4 of my own leagues, ... Read More
Pirates Go Back-To-Back-To-Back, But Fall 5-4
The Pirates led late, but Jason Grilli gave up a two-out, two-run homer to Anthony Rizzo to give the Cubs a 5 - 4 victory in Pittsburgh on Friday night. The Cubs jumped out to an early lead against Charlie Morton when Nate Schierholtz turned a lead-off walk in the second into the games first run, a fielders choice by Darwin Barney as he beat out a double play. They would add two more in the fourth inning when Brian Bogusevic hit a two-out, two-run homer into the bushes to push the Cubs ... Read More