Today, we take a look at how the Pittsburgh Pirates pitching staff, in particular the starters, performed and what is to be expected of them next year. Overall, the Pirates pitching staff finished with a 3.21 ERA as a unit. Eight starting pitchers were used throughout the 162-game season combining for a 3.51 ERA. Let's take an individual look at the pitching staff and the six starters who appeared in the rotation down the stretch: The Starters Gerrit Cole The Season: The ace of ... 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 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
Pirates dominated by Arrieta again in loss
The Pittsburgh Pirates saw Jake Arrieta for the third time in as many weeks, and the results were not favorable. Arrieta had a perfect game through six innings and the Chicago Cubs avoided a sweep winning 4-0 Sunday night. Arrieta [21-6], entered play with a 2-1 record to go with a 0.93 ERA in four starts against the Pirates. In Sunday's contest, Arrieta pitched seven scoreless innings striking out nine batters and allowing one hit, the leadoff single from Gregory Polanco in the seventh ... Read More
Pirates best Rockies to open four-game series
Starling Marte fell a triple short of hitting for the cycle as the Pittsburgh Pirates won 9-3 Monday night against the Colorado Rockies. Marte started with a first inning home run, his second in as many games. The ball left the bat at 106 miles-per-hour and quickly departed into the left field seats. The homer, hit off Jon Gray [0-2], was his 18th of the season. Jordy Mercer came into the contest hitting .185 in the month of September but after Andrew McCutchen caught the 27th and final ... Read More
Pirates pregame 9/17: Former reliever gives Watson valuable advice
The Pittsburgh Pirates will look to win its afternoon contest Thursday afternoon against the Chicago Cubs. If the Pirates do win it will avoid losing its first four-game series of the season. This afternoon, Charlie Morton will face Kyle Hendricks. Morton is 3-5 with a 4.71 ERA in 13 career starts against the Cubs. Morton won his last start, snapping a three-game losing streak. In the start, Morton allowed two runs on three hits over six innings of work against the Milwaukee ... Read More
Pirates battle against Arrieta, but lose to Cubs in extas
Anthony Rizzo's 12th-inning sacrifice fly was enough to lift the Chicago Cubs past the Pittsburgh Pirates by a 3-2 score Wednesday night. Cubs ace Jake Arrieta was attempting to become the first Cubs pitcher since Jon Lieber in 2001 to record 20 wins. He has thrown 17 straight quality starts and has thrown at least eight innings in his last four starts. His eight-game winning streak, however, was snapped as he had a no-decision. Pirates starter A.J. Burnett went 5.1 innings and escaped ... Read More
Pirates pregame 9/16: Arrieta faces Pirates on Clemente Day
Following a split of the day/night doubleheader, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs will face off once again, this time in the third game of a four-game series. The Pirates have the unenviable task of facing Jake Arrieta tonight on Roberto Clemente Day. Arrieta is looking to be the first Cubs starting pitcher with 20 wins since Jon Lieber accomplished the feat in 2001. “When you’re connected to the game to win 20 games is still impressive," manager Clint Hurdle said. "It’s just so ... Read More
Pittsburgh welcomes back Burnett
A.J. Burnett has thrown a no-hitter, has won a World Series ring and by all accounts has had an established major league career, however a moment from Wednesday's Pittsburgh Pirates game caught his eye. The downtown Pittsburgh buildings were prepared for A.J. Burnett's return as three separate Batman signals were lit up on downtown buildings from a bank of lasers stationed near the riverwalk in PNC Park. “That’s by far the coolest thing that’s happened to me in my career," Burnett said. "I ... Read More
AM Joe: What went wrong?
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Friday, September 11, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Pirates (83-56) were lucky to not lose any ground in the NL Central after their loss to the Brewers last night. The Cardinals also lost, keeping the Bucs 4.5 games back of the Redbirds. Charlie Morton will toe the rubber for the Pirates tonight. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh The votes are in! We asked and you answered in yesterday's reader poll, in ... Read More