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Starter Spotlight: Miles Markers

7-3-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X After falling short in game one, the Pirates will have to face off against Miles Mikolas, who had his best start of the season last time he faced the Bucs on June 11 with 7 innings of 1-hit shutout ball in his 2nd near no-hitter facing the Bucs.Continue reading “Starter Spotlight: Miles Markers”

Starter Spotlight: Not Your Grandfather’s Gibson

7-2-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X It’s been nearly 50 years since the Cardinals had a starting pitcher with the surname Gibson – and while today’s starter doesn’t have the hall of fame trajectory of his predecessor, the Pirates will still have barriers to beating their opponent in tonight’s match: Kyle Gibson. Signed thisContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Not Your Grandfather’s Gibson”

Starter Spotlight: Getting Schwellen-bach To Business

6-30-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Looking to avoid being swept to close out June, the Pirates will face Braves #3 prospect per MLB Pipline, Spencer Schwellenbach. Schwellenbach was a 2nd round pick by the Braves in 2021 and was aggressively promoted through the system. After needing Tommy John surgery following being drafted, SchwellenbachContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Getting Schwellen-bach To Business”

Starter Spotlight: Max Effort Versus Fried

6-29-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X After getting trounced by Charlie Morton in last night’s game, the Pirates will try to rebound against a pitcher who is having an even better season: Max Fried. Fried currently sports a 7-3 record with a 3.00 ERA and 1.07 WHIP through 90 innings pitched this season withContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Max Effort Versus Fried”

Starter Spotlight: Old Man Morton

As the Bucs look to build on their recent winning ways, they will have to spar with a former ally in Charlie Morton – who is still providing production even at age 40, entering play tonight with a 4-4 record and 4.20 ERA in 79.1 innings. The 2019 3rd-place finisher in AL Cy Young votingContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Old Man Morton”

Series Preview: Diamondbacks (58-51) at Pirates (55-53)

8-1-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X lll 8/2Pirates – Martín Pérez (L) 1-3, 57.1 IP, 4.71 ERA, 46 Ks/19 walks, 1.55 WHIPBraves – Charlie Morton (R) 4-4, 79.1 IP, 4.20 ERA, 80 Ks/35 walks, 1.30 WHIP 8/3Pirates – Paul Skenes (R) 4-0, 46.1 IP, 2.14 ERA, 61 Ks/8 walks, 0.99 WHIPBraves – Max FriedContinue reading “Series Preview: Diamondbacks (58-51) at Pirates (55-53)”

Mid-Season Review

6-27-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Following their win on Wednesday, the Pirates are just shy of the halfway mark of the season – having eclipsed 80 of the 162 game slate and currently sit with a 39-41 record. As of this morning, their .488 winning percentage sits them at 9th in the NationalContinue reading “Mid-Season Review”

Starter Spotlight: Looking To Kick Some Ashcraft

6-26-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Final game in this Reds series will see Luis Ortiz receive his first regular start of the season and his opponent Graham Ashcraft returns to toe the rubber for Cincinnati. Ashcraft is 1-0 with an ERA of 2.89 and 18 strikeouts to 5 walks in 3 career appearancesContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Looking To Kick Some Ashcraft”

Starter Spotlight: Hunting Heat With Greene

6-25-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Another day, another repeated Reds matchup as Pirates send out Mitch Keller to once again face off against Cincinnati flamethrower in Hunter Greene. Last week, Greene tossed 6.1 scoreless innings of 2-hit ball against the Bucs with zero walks and 9 strikeouts over his 106 pitches thrown. ItContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Hunting Heat With Greene”

Starter Spotlight: Feeling In-Spiers-ed Again

6-24-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X A week after his first start of the season, Carson Spiers and the Reds will run it back against the Bucs – this time on their home turf. After the Pirates hitters were able to get to him for 4 runs off 7 hits in 6 innings lastContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Feeling In-Spiers-ed Again”