Tonight, the Pirates begin a stretch of six games in which they play NL Central playoff contenders and it starts in Milwaukee for a three-game set against the first place Brewers, who lead the Bucs by six games in the division. While most have counted the Pirates out of the division race, manager Clint Hurdle and Co. remain confident they can still contend with the Brewers and NL Wild Card leading Cardinals. "I know this, you win your division and you’re in and that’s where I’m going to ... Read More
Face Off Friday: Bench Pedro?
Andrew Barlow -- Here is what we know about the man they call El Toro. The Pirates drafted Pedro Alvarez with the second pick in 2008 and he was in the majors by 2010, in the midst of a 105 loss season. In 95 games that rookie season, he hit a respectable .256 and smashed 16 home runs, providing a small glimmer of hope on a roster that included he, Andrew McCutchen and little else. The next year, Pedro spent much of the summer injured or at AAA Indianapolis, hitting a miserable .191 and ... Read More
Pirates score late to break losing skid
The Pirates used two runs in the eighth and one in the ninth to comeback and defeat the Braves 3-2 to snap their seven-game losing skid on Wednesday night. The Pirates (65-62) were only able to record three hits through seven innings against Braves starter Alex Wood. Josh Harrison led the bottom of the first off with a double, but was picked off. Gaby Sanchez and Travis Snider recorded singles in the second and fifth innings for the other offense. It would be Sanchez and Snider that gave ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 8/20: Morton diagnosed with a “sports hernia”, Hurdle discusses Travis Snider
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (64-62) look to salvage a game from the Braves (66-60). Gerrit Cole (7-4, 3.78 ERA) will be making his first start since early July as he faces Alex Wood (9-9, 3.07 ERA). The Pirates begin the day 7 games behind the Brewers (71-55) for first in the NL Central, 4 1/2 games behind the Cardinals (68-57) for the first NL Wild Card spot and 2 games behind the Giants (65-59) and Braves (66-60) for the second NL Wild Card spot. Injury Update Charlie ... Read More
Pirates woes continue in 11-3 loss to Braves
Francisco Liriano was unable to play stopper as he allowed nine runs --seven earned-- over four-plus innings of work as the Braves extended the Pirates losing streak to seven with a 11-3 victory over the Bucs on Tuesday night. The Braves (66-60) jumped on Liriano early and often as they scattered five runs against him over 4 innings of work. Justin Upton provided most of the damage with a three run home run to left in the third. Aaron Harang and Jason Hayward also provided RBI. The Braves ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 8/19: Cutch/Mercer return, Hurdle discusses Alvarez’s positioning
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (64-61) desperately need a victory over the Braves (65-60) to snap their current six-game losing skid. Francisco Liriano (3-9, 3.78 ERA) will look to play stopper against Aaron Harang (9-7, 3.51 ERA). -- Andrew McCutchen and Jordy Mercer are in the Pirates lineup tonight. McCutchen has been activated off of the 15-Day DL. To make room for him on the active roster, Michael Martinez has been optioned to AAA Indianapolis. Mercer had been out of the ... Read More
Cutch ready to return to action
Andrew McCutchen completed what looks like the final step in his rehab as he successfully participated in live batting practice without any setbacks on Monday afternoon at PNC Park. "I feel good, good to go," said McCutchen. "It was basically a reassurance there going out and facing live pitching and getting my swing ready for the games. I felt pretty good out there. I made some good contact on some balls and even with some swing and misses. I pretty much did everything. I swung and missed, ... Read More
Braves get to Worley early in Pirates 7-3 defeat
The Braves scored six times in the first inning off of Vance Worley as they cruised past the Pirates 7-3 on Monday night. Worley experienced pitch issues at the start allowing lead-off back-to-back home runs from Jason Heyward and Andrelton Simmons. Worley then allowed a walk and three singles to put the Braves quickly up 4-0. The Braves (65-60) added two more in the inning when Neil Walker threw wide of first base on an inning-ending double play attempt. "The first inning, my pitches ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 8/18: Hurdle discusses staying the course
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (64-60) look to break a five-game slump as they begin a three-game series against the Braves (64-60). Vance Worley (5-2, 2.51 ERA) will take the hill and oppose Ervin Santana (12-6, 3.66 ERA). Player Updates Andrew McCutchen took live batting practice today and "expects" to be in the lineup tomorrow when he's eligible to come off the DL. Jordy Mercer took fielding practice today without throwing and took swings in the cage. "He's got some more ... Read More
Steelers win, Pirates choke podcast
Join in on the discussion LIVE for today's abbreviated 30-minute show. Michael Waterloo and Jon Pennline will discuss any and every topic on the table, including the Pirates loss to the Nationals and the Steelers win over the Buffalo Bills. ... Read More