Author Archives: Ethan Smith

Grandal walk-off seals Pirates series win over Reds: Takeaways from a crucial NL Central series win

The 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates have shown a knack for late game dramatics but struggled with a 10-game losing streak. Wins against division rivals are crucial for playoff contention, but some players are underperforming. The team’s pitching strength bodes well for the 2025 season.

Series Preview: Reds (62-65) at Pirates (59-67)

8-22-24 – By Ethan Smith – @mvp_EtHaN The Pittsburgh Pirates are back home after a short road trip to Texas that saw a series loss to the Texas Rangers as a result, and the North Shore welcomes the Cincinnati Reds for a four-game set this weekend at PNC Park. These two teams are in veryContinue reading “Series Preview: Reds (62-65) at Pirates (59-67)”

Takeaways from the Pittsburgh Pirates series loss to the Texas Rangers

Typing the words “series loss” have become almost copy paste with the Pittsburgh Pirates as of late, especially considering they’ve won two series since July 30, both against AL West opponents, but they didn’t have such luck versus the Texas Rangers. Pittsburgh lost two of three to the reigning World Series champions, who are anythingContinue reading “Takeaways from the Pittsburgh Pirates series loss to the Texas Rangers”

What Barry Bonds, Jim Leyland and Manny Sanguillen mean to the Pittsburgh Pirates

Saturday is going to be a special day for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, the players, the coaches and the fans. Barry Bonds, Jim Leyland and Manny Sanguillen will be immortalized in Pirates history as the representatives of the 2024 Pirates Hall of Fame class, and each had, and still have, their own unique impact onContinue reading “What Barry Bonds, Jim Leyland and Manny Sanguillen mean to the Pittsburgh Pirates”

Series Preview: Padres (61-52) at Pirates (56-55)

8-5-24 – By Ethan Smith – @mvp_EtHaN on X The race for October continues and, for the Pittsburgh Pirates, much like the past week, they have an opponent ahead of them in the race awaiting them for six games over the next nine days, this time in the form of the San Diego Padres. The Pirates areContinue reading “Series Preview: Padres (61-52) at Pirates (56-55)”

Analysis on Every Pittsburgh Pirates trade deadline move

7-31-24 – By Ethan Smith – @mvp_EtHaN on X The 2024 MLB Trade Deadline has come and gone, and honestly, it played out about how everyone expected. The sellers market was strongly outweighed by the buyers market, making for a intriguing deadline with plenty of teams adding and not as many subtracting. Miami traded prettyContinue reading “Analysis on Every Pittsburgh Pirates trade deadline move”

Series Preview: Pirates (52-50) at Diamondbacks (53-50)

The Pittsburgh Pirates head to Arizona for a crucial series, trailing the Diamondbacks by half a game in the NL Wild Card race. Both teams are in good form, with the Pirates facing real talent and the Diamondbacks boasting a strong offense. Key injuries will impact both teams, with the Pirates hoping for returns from left-handed reliever Ryan Borucki and left-handed starter Bailey Falter, and Arizona dealing with sidelined starting pitchers Merrill Kelly, Blake Walston, and Eduardo Rodriguez. The matchup to watch is the Pittsburgh pitching staff against the Arizona offense, as both teams vie for a place in the Wild Card race.

Bubba Chandler and Termarr Johnson participate in MLB Futures Game

7-13-24 – By Ethan Smith – @mvp_EtHaN on X With Paul Skenes dominating MLB and starting for the National League in the 2024 All-Star Game, much of the focus has been on the 22-year old phenom, but alongside Bryan Reynolds, the duo aren’t the only members of the Pirates organization getting recognition during the All-StarContinue reading “Bubba Chandler and Termarr Johnson participate in MLB Futures Game”

Paul Skenes to start 2024 All-Star Game for the National League

7-12-24 – By Ethan Smith – @mvp_EtHaN on X Paul Skenes has ripped through MLB and Pittsburgh Pirates franchise records in such a short time, and he’s adding to his list of accolades Tuesday, as Skenes will take the hill for the National League to start the 2024 All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas. The newsContinue reading “Paul Skenes to start 2024 All-Star Game for the National League”