The crack off Kyle Schwarber's bat made it perfectly clear that the Chicago Cubs meant business in their 4-0 Wednesday night Wild Card game victory the Pirates. His 449-foot home run sailed over the right field seats, completing a dramatic turnaround for Schwarber. A year ago, the Cubs sent Schwarber to the Instructional League. Schwarber and Dexter Fowler, the top two hitters in Wednesday's Cubs lineup had five of the team's six hits with the remainder of the team batting 2-for-32, good ... Read More
Rodriguez to start, Alvarez on bench for Bucs in Wild Card
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle has announced his lineup for tonight’s Wild Card matchup against the Chicago Cubs and it comes with a big surprise towards the end. Batting eight and starting at first base will not be Pedro Alvarez, who played 124 games at first the Pirates this season, but utilityman Sean Rodriguez. Rodriguez saw extensive action as a defensive replacement, but started only 12 games at first base on the year. On the season, Alvarez hit .243/.318./.469 with 27 home ... Read More
Pirates announce roster for Wild Card Game vs. Cubs
With just hours remaining until the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs meet in the 2015 National League Wild Card Game at PNC Park, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle announced the 25-man roster he will use for the game. The roster includes nine pitchers and three catchers. The roster for tonight's game looks as follows: Catchers: Francisco Cervelli, Chris Stewart, Elias Diaz Infielders: Pedro Alvarez, Neil Walker, Jordy Mercer, Josh Harrison, Aramis Ramirez, Pedro Florimon, Michael ... Read More
Arrieta matchup similar to 2013 Wild Card game
Life just isn’t fair for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They had a terrific season in which they won over 90 games; but just by sheer geographical coincidence they were stuck in the division with the team with the best record in baseball. And what is their reward? They get to play in a winner-take-all Wild Card game against another National League Central opponent. Oh, and they have to face a pitcher that dominated them all season. Sounds like the situation the Pirates will be in against ... Read More
Pirates have big decision to make with Happ
Disclaimer: Obviously the Pirates are not done playing baseball yet in 2015, and their focus should be on winning the World Series. But it doesn’t hurt for us to take a peek at what may happen with Happ once the season is over while we wait for the Wild Card game. J.A. Happ discovered in early August skipping a start can be a good thing. After getting roughed up by the Chicago Cubs in his first Pirates start on August 4 to the tune of nine hits and four runs given up over 4.1 innings, Happ was ... Read More
Pirates feel Huntington deserving of award
Baltimore Orioles general manager Dan Duquette has started a campaign to get his Pittsburgh Pirates counterpart Neal Huntington to be named 2015 MLB Executive of the Year. The Pirates players are on board, too. “What he’s done this year is really what he’s put together the past seven years he’s been here," Jared Hughes said. "He’s changed the mentality of our squad and organization. He finds guys with character and hires them both on and off the field.” Hughes almost referred to honoring ... Read More
AM Joe: And now, we wait
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Monday, October 5, 2015. What's on tap for today: At the craziest part of the year's sports calendar, there will be two days of nothing but anticipation, as the Pirates, Steelers, Penguins and local college teams are all off until Wednesday's Wild Card game between the Bucs and the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. At noon, Pitt (3-1. 1-0) head coach Pat Narduzzi will discuss his team's big road win over Virginia Tech and look forward to ... Read More
Pirates win to secure home field for wild card game
The Pittsburgh Pirates had a chance to control their fate in regards to determining the location of the National League Wild Card game and with a 4-0 win against the Cincinnati Reds Sunday afternoon, will ensure that it is played at PNC Park. “I’m proud of our team regardless of anything else that has gone on," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We won 98 ballgames, we’ve got a home field game in the wild card, everybody in that clubhouse contributed something this season and we’ll look forward to ... Read More
Pirates, Huntington look towards playoffs
Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington handled a variety of topics in his final regular season press conference, mostly playoff related. Below is a sampling of his remarks. Commentary of being in division with three best records: “Thank goodness the Astros aren’t in the division. The Cardinals are the model franchise for basically anybody in baseball and Cubs have been acquiring a vast amount of talent for the last four years. They’ve had the luxury to add payroll this year. The ... Read More
Pirates pregame 10/4: Game 162 has meaning
The Pittsburgh Pirates have been in the driver's seat all week when it comes to hosting the National League Wild Card game, and will be once again this afternoon in Sunday afternoon's contest, the final one of the regular season. With all of today's games being started at or close to the same time, no team has an early advantage of resting players if there is a race for a playoff spot. The Pirates fall in this spot as they lead the Chicago Cubs by one game for the right to host the NL Wild ... Read More