After every Pittsburgh Pirates victory, broadcaster Greg Brown says, "Raise the Jolly Roger!" This year, not only was the record of the Pirates raised but so to were their ratings on Root Sports. According to information from Nielsen in THIS Forbes.com article on the 29 Major League Baseball teams in the United States, the Pirates ratings on Root Sports were up 8 percent with a 9.15 ratings average compared to an 8.49 ratings average in 2014. The 9.15 rating was good for third in all of ... Read More
Faces may change, but expectations remain
Almost a week has passed since the Pittsburgh Pirates’ season came to an abrupt halt, forcing players to clear out their lockers and fans to pack up their. After all seeing a team win 98 games, only to lose one and get the boot is a tough pill to swallow. If anything, it is a sign that expectations have changed for the Pirates, and they'll remain at a high level for the foreseeable future In the Dugout: Manager Clint Hurdle will be going into his fifth year as manager of the Pittsburgh ... Read More
Pirates prospects prep for 2016 in Arizona Fall League
Each fall, top prospects from Major League Baseball's 30 teams convene in the Arizona for the Arizona Fall League in hopes of honing their skills in order to continue pursuing their Major League dreams. Six teams make up the league which kicked off action earlier today. The AFL serves as a proving ground for these prospects as they compete with and against prospects from other organizations. Each team is made up of prospects from five teams. This year prospects from the Pittsburgh ... Read More
Pirates will have tough decisions to make in arbitration
Last week, we took a look at the Pittsburgh Pirates who are set to be free agents. Now, it's time to check in on their players that are arbitration eligible this off-season. The Pirates have 12 players that are eligible for arbitration, however first baseman Pedro Alvarez, second baseman Neil Walkand closer Mark Melancon’s situations will be broken down in greater detail later due to their significance. That leaves nine players the Pirates can tender a contract to. These players can accept ... Read More
AM Joe: The greatest home run, ever
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Monday, October 12, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Penguins (0-2-0) will start their 2015-16 home slate by hosting the undefeated Montreal Canadiens (3-0-0) at Consol Energy Center. Head coach Mike Johnston's team, which has struggled to overcome two hot goaltenders in its opening-week losses, will face another stern test in Habs goalie Carey Price. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ... Read More
AM Joe: Steelers look to get a jump on San Diego
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Monday, October 12, 2015. What's on tap for today: At noon, Pitt (4-1. 2-0) head coach Pat Narduzzi will discuss his team's homecoming victory over Virginia and look forward to next week's foe, Georgia Tech, in his weekly press conference. PittsburghPanthers.com The Steelers (2-2) need a win over the San Diego Chargers (2-2) tonight to stay two games back of the 5-0 Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North. Kickoff is at 8:30 p.m. ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitching staff anaylsis
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
Reviewing the Pirates impending free agents
With the 2015 season coming to an abrupt end for the Pittsburgh Pirates, they have plenty of time to evaluate their crop of impending free agents before they are set to hit the market. None of them are players they would have to break the bank to keep, though there are a few that the club will likely let find a new team for 2016. Also keep in mind that this list does not include pitcher A.J. Burnett or third baseman Aramis Ramirez, since both said they plan to retire at the end of the ... Read More
2015 Pirates review: Position players
As the Pirates season comes to an abrupt end after 98 win, we take a look at what the players did to get them there and what is next for them. Today, we take a look at the starting lineup for most of the season: The Starters Francisco Cervelli (C): The Season: Acquired in the offseason from the New York Yankees, Cervelli was a rock behind the plate for the Pirates this season. The backstop hit .295 in 130 games slugging .401 with an on-base percentage of .370. Defensively speaking, ... Read More
AM Joe: Focus turns to hockey
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Thursday, October 8, 2015. What's on tap for today: With the city in mourning over the Pirates playoff loss last night, hockey season couldn't come at a better time. The Penguins will get their season started with a visit to Dallas to take on the Stars tonight at 8:30 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh Pittsburgh headlines: The Pirates 4-0 loss to Jake Arrieta and the Chicago Cubs last night ended their season at home in the Wild ... Read More