Michael

Starter Spotlight: Bottle of Jameson

9-2-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X As the calendar turns to September, the struggle continues for the Pirates – who have now dropped 21 of their last 29 games, battling to avoid a last place finish instead of contending for a playoff berth. They’ll have the wrong kind of Jameson tonight in a rematchContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Bottle of Jameson”

Starter Spotlight: Looking To Cobb-le A Series Win

9-1-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Looking for a chance at a series win against a strong Guardians team, the Pirates will square off against Alex Cobb, who has spent much of the 2024 season the injured list between the San Francisco Giants and a trade deadline deal which sent him to Cleveland. TheContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Looking To Cobb-le A Series Win”

Starter Spotlight: The Boyd is Back in Town

8-31-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Looking to even the series, the Pirates face veteran lefty, Matthew Boyd, who joined the Guardians on a mid-season free agent contract after spending most of his career with division rival, Detroit Tigers. Boyd struggled to find a contract entering 2024 after posting a 5.45 ERA in 15Continue reading “Starter Spotlight: The Boyd is Back in Town”

Series Preview: Pirates (62-71) at Guardians (76-58)

8-30-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X The last time the Pirates visited Cleveland, the team was in the throes of the first year of the current rebuild under Cherington, finishing off the 19-41, 2020 Covid-shortened season going 1-2 against host Cleveland squad – who were still known as the [name redacted] back then. WhileContinue reading “Series Preview: Pirates (62-71) at Guardians (76-58)”

Starter Spotlight: Looking For A Lively Game

8-30-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Eager to move past a dreadful series at home against the Cubs, the Pirates head 130 miles northwest to face the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians and surprising success story in Ben Lively. Lively bounced around several MLB organizations since debuting in 2017, even spending a few years inContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Looking For A Lively Game”

Starter Spotlight: Gin Up On Hendricks

8-28-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X The Pirates will look to avoid being swept by the Cubs against the veteran, soft-tossing Kyle Hendricks, who is in the twilight of his career but still somehow can get the best of the Bucs. Jameson Taillon and Justin Steele both entered this series with poor career marksContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Gin Up On Hendricks”

Where To Point The Finger

8-28-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X The Pirates finally pulled the trigger and fired someone. Granted, it was not anyone in the Pirates coaching staff or the front office – but the Director of International Scouting, Junior Vizcaino – who had been in the role since replacing Rene Gayo, famously associated with the MiguelContinue reading “Where To Point The Finger”

Starter Spotlight: Real Steele

8-27-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X In last night’s game, steals were a HUGE part of the Cubs game plan. Tonight, a different kind of ‘Steele’ will be on display as Jared Jones makes his long-awaited return from the injured list to face 2023 Cy Young finalist and Chicago ace, Justin Steele. Steele isContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Real Steele”

Starter Spotlight: Tie One On Taillon

8-25-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X A rematch from earlier this season awaits the Pirates today with Mitch Keller facing off once more against former teammate, Jameson Taillon. In his second season in Chicago, Taillon has an even 8-8 record, 3.77 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 126.2 innings pitched. That said, his career lineContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Tie One On Taillon”

Starter Spotlight: Carson Spiers Round Three (Updated to Nick Martinez)

8-24-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X UPDATE: Starting pitcher changed to Nick Martinez – who enters today with a 6-6 record and 3.64 ERA through 101.1 innings this season. He started the year in the rotation but pitched relief from May through July before returning to starting this month. He has a 2.72 ERAContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Carson Spiers Round Three (Updated to Nick Martinez)”