Starter Spotlight: Julian Aguiar 

8-23-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X After taking the first two games of the series, the Pirates are poised for their first winning streak since July 28-30. They’ll be facing off against Julian Aguiar, the MLB Pipeline’s 11th ranked prospect for the Reds making his second MLB start after going 4 innings of 4-hit,Continue reading “Starter Spotlight: Julian Aguiar “

Starter Spotlight: Abbott Time For Some Wins

8-23-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X The Pirates managed to get to Nick Lodolo in their rematch with him yesterday. Can they repeat the feat against his fellow rotation southpaw, Andrew Abbott? While this is Abbott’s first start against the Pirates this season, he saw them twice last year, allowing 4 runs off 8Continue reading “Starter Spotlight: Abbott Time For Some Wins”

Starter Spotlight: Unload On Lodolo

8-22-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Short road trip and back at PNC, the Pirates will host the Reds and southpaw Nick Lodolo, who tossed 7 frames of 1-run ball during Cincinnati’s last trek to Pittsburgh but has struggled since that strong outing. In Lodolo’s last 9 games, he is 1-3 with a 7.15Continue reading “Starter Spotlight: Unload On Lodolo”

Starter Spotlight: Rubber Match With Hean Dog

8-21-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X With a dominant performance from Mitch Keller in game 2, the series-decider falls to Domingo German facing the Rangers and veteran southpaw starter, Andrew Heaney. The journeyman lefty has a 4.20 ERA through 124.1 innings this season, a serviceable mark but hasn’t stood up in his starts asContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Rubber Match With Hean Dog”

Starter Spotlight: Cody’s Showdy

8-20-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Pittsburgh wasn’t quite able to complete the comeback in game one but will try again tonight against the Rangers and starting pitcher, Cody Bradford. Bradford enters play tonight with a perfect 4-0 record with a 3.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 33 strikeouts to just 6 walks in hisContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Cody’s Showdy”

Starter Spotlight: Dun Dun Dunning

8-19-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Heading west hoping for better results than their last road trip as the Pirates will try building on their weekend series win against the host Texas Rangers and starting pitcher Dane Dunning. A former first round pick, Dunning has struggled to live up to the first round hype,Continue reading “Starter Spotlight: Dun Dun Dunning”

Starter Spotlight: Kirb Your Enthusiasm 

8-18-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Looking for a sweep in the other direction from their previous three series, the Pirates will face the final Mariners pitching boss in George Kirby. Kirby is a control freak! Not in the OCD kind of way (I don’t think) but in the refusal to walk batters asContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Kirb Your Enthusiasm “

Starter Spotlight: The Cask of Luis Castillo

8-16-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X The thousand injuries of Castillo I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge. – Edgar Allen Poe (paraphrased from ‘The Cask of Amontillado’) After FINALLY breaking the losing streak last night, the Buccos will look to start a winning one inContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: The Cask of Luis Castillo”

Starter Spotlight: The Great Gilded Gilbert

8-16-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Heading back home after a horrendous road trip, the Pirates will host the Seattle Mariners, who themselves were just swept by the Detroit Tigers. Their offense is inconsistent but their starting pitching has been the best in baseball, posting a rotational ERA of 3.23 and fWAR of 13.7Continue reading “Starter Spotlight: The Great Gilded Gilbert”

Starter Spotlight: A Piratey Reunion

8-14-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X In the midst of a historically awful slump, the Pirates will face a familiar foe in opposing starting pitcher, Martín Pérez – who spent the first four months of this season as their teammate before a deadline deal shipped him out to San Diego. Perez had a solidContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: A Piratey Reunion”