Michael

Where Has All The Offense Gone – And How Can We Get It Back?

4-29-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X This team stinks! The “shutdown bullpen” can’t hold leads, the defense keeps making mistakes and worst of all, the team can’t hit! I understand the fan rage right now. For the most part, I feel it too. David Bednar and Aroldis Chapman have a combined 19 earnedContinue reading “Where Has All The Offense Gone – And How Can We Get It Back?”

Series Preview: Pirates (13-13) at Giants (12-14)

4-26-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Following a series split against division-leading Brewers, the Pirates head west and will try to break over .500 against the underperforming San Francisco Giants. Both teams entered the 2024 season with post-season expectations but are each sitting 4th in their respective divisions. Both of these teams have struggledContinue reading “Series Preview: Pirates (13-13) at Giants (12-14)”

Series Preview: Pirates (9-3) at Phillies (6-6)

4-11-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Before the divisional shake-up three decades ago, matchups with the cross-state Phillies were a regular occurrence with heated rivalry pitting the teams and fans alike against each other. While its been a long time since both teams were truly competitive at the same time, stakes are raised headingContinue reading “Series Preview: Pirates (9-3) at Phillies (6-6)”

Happy Home Opener, Pittsburgh!

4-5-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X There’s a different *feel* in the air when it comes to Opening Day. Sure, we’ve all seen the MLB promo videos, current and former players talking about what it means to them but, man, it just hits different this year for Pirates fans. The hope of the rebuildContinue reading “Happy Home Opener, Pittsburgh!”

Series Preview: Pirates (0-0) at Marlins (0-0)

The Pirates open the season in Miami against the Marlins for the first time in 18 years. The Fish are coming off a playoff season after finishing 84-78 but their pitching staff, which was formerly a strength, has been decimated by injuries.

Spring Breakout Preview

3-13-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X When it was announced this past off-season that MLB would be holding spring scrimmages strictly involving prospects, it seemed inevitable that the Pirates and Orioles would be two of the teams playing in spotlight games. Both teams have built up their farm system through trades and draft over the pastContinue reading “Spring Breakout Preview”

Termarr, Or Not Termarr

3-13-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X It’s official. Termarr Johnson will NOT start the season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Most reasonable fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates had no expectations that Johnson would not just make the 40-man roster but also leapfrog himself right onto the 26-man with zero at-bats above A+ ball. He’s very talentedContinue reading “Termarr, Or Not Termarr”

5 Takeaways From Spring Training

3-12-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X We’ve seen some extreme highs and lows (mostly lows) for the Pirates over the years but, in Spring Training, anything is possible. The team currently LEADS all of MLB in home runs (31) after finishing 28th over the 2023 season (159). The old cliches and platitudes are present,Continue reading “5 Takeaways From Spring Training”

O Captain! My Captain!

3-1-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X There is a new “Pirate Generation” arriving soon in Pittsburgh. We’ve SEEN it now! Or, after yesterday’s game, at least heard it. Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler, Anthony Solometo and Jackson Wolf will soon join the ranks of Quinn Priester, Liover Peguero, Jared Triolo andContinue reading “O Captain! My Captain!”

Important Numbers For Pittsburgh Pirates

2-21-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X I just finished up the busiest time of the year for me (top 30 prospects episodes – check them out if you haven’t already) and now I’m ready to jump back into writing some articles on my beloved Buccos. Ahead of last season, I did preview piecesContinue reading “Important Numbers For Pittsburgh Pirates”