Michael

Southpaw Strategy

4-4-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Out of the gate this season, the Pirates have faced 7 straight right handed starting pitchers. Given that the 13-man position player pool consists of 6 who can hit left-handed, one would presume a fairly equal split on both sides of the plate. Much of those lefties includeContinue reading “Southpaw Strategy”

Starter Spotlight: Pepiot Pep Talk

4-2-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X The Pirates desperately need some pop in their offense as the bats have gone completely cold. After scoring just one run so far this series and only mustering a single extra base hit, can they break through against the final starter, Ryan Pepiot? Pepiot, part of the returnContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Pepiot Pep Talk”

Starter Spotlight: Walk of Shane

4-1-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X March was not a good start for the Pirates but as the calendar turns, could their luck turn as well? They’ll have to hope so as they face off against former Pirates first round draft pick, Shane Baz. The 12th overall pick in the 2017 draft, Baz wasContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Walk of Shane”

Starter Spotlight: Just Like You Drew It Up

3–31-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X You can’t win every game but you can’t lose every game either, hopefully. Sometimes, things don’t go as you plan and today’s opposing starter knows that all too well. The Pirates head to the west side of the state to face the Tampa Bay Rays and Drew Rasmussen,Continue reading “Starter Spotlight: Just Like You Drew It Up”

Starter Spotlight: Max Effort

3–30-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X After a pair of walk-off losses this series, the Pirates will need a bit extra if they want to avoid dropping 3 of 4 to the Marlins. On the other side of the bump, Miami’s starting pitcher will be looking for a much different outcome than the lastContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Max Effort”

Starter Spotlight: Lucky Vallente

3–29-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Securing win #1 on the season wasn’t easy as the luck went the Pirates way this time around but their opponent today has proven in his short MLB career that it’s better to be lucky than good. Taking the ball for the Marlins today, Vallente Bellozo was initiallyContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Lucky Vallente”

Starter Spotlight: Fishy Gil-lispie

3–28-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Following a dramatic walkoff that Pirates fans are all too familiar with, there’s always another game. Another chance for your team to show they aren’t completely hopeless, and the Pirates get that chance today as they’ll face Connor Gillispie. Drafted in the 9th round in 2019 by theContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Fishy Gil-lispie”

Starter Spotlight: Starting Off Walking Sandy Beaches

3–27-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X It’s officially baseball season (I mean, if you don’t count that silly Dodgers/Cubs thing last week) and we are BACK underway evaluating and discussing opposing starting pitchers. Today, the Pirates head to South Beach and will open the season with Cy Young finalist, Paul Skenes, facing off againstContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Starting Off Walking Sandy Beaches”

2025 Opening Series Preview: Pirates (0-0) at Marlins (0-0)

3-27-25 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X The Pittsburgh Pirates open the 2025 season in Miami for a second consecutive year, looking to start strong and find consistency after two false-starts in 2023 and 2024. Neither of these teams have been lighting it up offensively, ranking 24th (Pirates, 665) and 27th (Marlins, 637) in runs scored lastContinue reading “2025 Opening Series Preview: Pirates (0-0) at Marlins (0-0)”

Hit Your Best Bat Leadoff

3-21-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X With the season starting in less than a week, let’s get REALLY radical with my last pre-season article topic: Lineup Construction. Hold on, I know what you’re thinking. “Shelton tinkers with the lineup too much. He never stays consistent with a batting order. Yadda, yadda, yadda.” I can’tContinue reading “Hit Your Best Bat Leadoff”