When A.J. Burnett came to the Pirates via a trade with the New York Yankees in February 2012, Pirates fans and those around Major League Baseball weren't sure what to expect. Would the Pirates be getting the Burnett who went 34-35 with a 4.79 ERA in three very tumultuous seasons with the Yankees, or would they get the pitcher who once led the National League in shutouts (2002) and once lead the American League in strikeouts (2008)? Things got off to a rocky start as Burnett hurt his cheek bone ... Read More
Cup of Joe: The Pens are 2-0. Does anyone care?
Now, that's not trying to be disrespectful at all. A good, powerful, controversial headline draws the reader to the article. Welcome aboard. Last week, it was a hockey night in Pittsburgh on two different occasions, as the Penguins kicked off its season with two wins over the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres. Sidney Crosby, Chuck Kobasew and Craig Adams — yes, that Craig Adams — are all on pace to score 82 goals this year. Marc-Andre Fleury has looked great between the pipes, as he's ... Read More
Pirates win Game 3 of NLDS, can win series tomorrow
Pedro Alvarez and the Pirates kept that Jolly Roger flapping high above Pittsburgh. Alvarez hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning and the Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3 on Sunday to take a 2-1 lead in best-of-five NL division series. Alvarez pulled a grounder into right field that scored pinch-runner Josh Harrison from second base. Russell Martin followed with a sharp RBI single against reliever Kevin Siegrist, who took over after Carlos Martinez (0-1) faltered. The ... Read More
Bucs look to carry momentum to Pittsburgh
As the Pittsburgh Pirates head into a Game 3 showdown with the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park today, they find themselves in a very rare position indeed. While many would still call the Bucs the underdogs against one of the most hallowed franchises in the history of baseball, they have the momentum going forward in this series, and could conceivably win the next two games to play for the NL pennant. The offense seems to be coming together at just the right time, as the team followed up the ... Read More
Pirate Players Encourage Blackout Part 2
Follow @TBerardi_OVA The Pirates did their part by splitting the first two games of the NLDS in St. Louis. Now it's the fans turn to do their part on Sunday when the Pirates return to PNC Park for Game 3 against the Cardinals. Some of the Pirate players took to twitter shortly after Friday's 7 - 1 victory to encourage fans to participate in the second PNC Blackout of the postseason. Sunday... BLACK IT OUT! #PNCBLACKOUT Lets gooooo! — andrew mccutchen (@TheCUTCH22) October 4, ... Read More
Pirates Even Series With Offensive Barrage
Follow @TBerardi_OVA The September NL Rookie of the Month, Gerrit Cole continued his outstanding string of starts with another six inning gem on Friday afternoon in St. Louis as the Pirates evened the NLDS at one with a 7 - 1 victory over the Cardinals. Cole experienced some trouble in the first when Carlos Beltran laced a one out double into the right-center gap. He would settle, though and retire the next eleven batters he faced until giving up a lead-off homer by Yadier Molina to start ... Read More
Three Keys to the Pirates Staying in the Playoffs
It may have come as a surprise to those who watch the Pirates from afar, but they are a pretty good team. The Reds certainly underestimated them, and now they are out of the playoffs, one and done. If the Pirates want to stay in the playoffs and make the longest run in the post season for a generation, they are going to have to show up in a few areas to make the magic last. The Pirates are in an enviable position right now. No matter what, they’ve already won. Not only did they break .500 and ... Read More
Cup of Joe: Would you trust Burnett in Game 5?
The fans and the Pirates were riding high after an emotional win over the Reds on Tuesday. It was their year. It was "Buctober." Not a thing in the world could stop them going into the series against the Cardinals. They had their de facto "ace" taking the hill in A.J. Burnett, and the world would once again see how mighty these Pirates are. Well, that sounds all well and good, but that's not how it went. The Cardinals took it to the Pirates and Burnett on Thursday afternoon, to take a 1-0 ... Read More
Burnett Struggles, Cardinals Capitalize in 9 – 1 Rout
Follow @TBerardi_OVA A.J. Burnett didn't have his stuff, today as he allowed the Cardinals to break out in a seven run third inning in route to a 9 - 1 victory in game one of the NLDS on Thursday afternoon. No one was able to break the scoreboard through the first two innings. The Cardinals came close in the second, when they had first and second with no out. Burnett then would get two groundouts, the second being a double play to end the inning without damage. He wouldn't be as ... Read More
Pirates release NLDS roster
After a monumental win over the Reds on Tuesday night, the Pirates packed their bags for St. Louis. With a five-game series ahead, the Pirates have officially announced their NLDS 25-man roster. Pitchers — A.J. Burnett Francisco Liriano Gerrit Cole Charlie Morton Jason Grilli Mark Melancon Bryan Morris Tony Watson Vin Mazzaro Jeanmar Gomez Justin Wilson Infielders — Justin Morneau Neil Walker Clint Barmes Pedro Alvarez Jordy Mercer Josh ... Read More