Author Archives: Michael

Starter Spotlight: Shades of Gray

6-12-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Signed to a free agent contract for 3 years, $75M this past off-season, Sonny Gray was an AL Cy Young runner up in 2023, finishing with a 2.79 ERA, 3.64 xFIP and 2.83 FIP. This year, the 34-year old has seen a small spike in his ERA to 3.29 butContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Shades of Gray”

Starter Spotlight: Meetup with Mikolas

6-11-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Following a successful home stand, the Pirates head west for their first series against division rival St. Lous Cardinals. Starting for the Red Birds will be veteran Miles Mikolas, who is currently mired in the worst start of his major league career. The two-time All Star Mikolas is currently 4-6Continue reading “Starter Spotlight: Meetup with Mikolas”

Series Preview: Pirates (31-34) at Cardinals (31-33)

6-11-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X With the new schedule format, this is the first time that the Pirates and Cardinals will face off this season. Both teams may be at the bottom of the division looking up but each have been battling as of late with the Pirates notching critical series wins againstContinue reading “Series Preview: Pirates (31-34) at Cardinals (31-33)”

Starter Spotlight: Bailey Ober

6-9-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X The Pirates are riding high this home-stand, winning 4 of the first 5 games and looking for a chance at a series sweep today – a feat the Bucs have been unable to achieve since the opening series in Miami. Taking the bump for the Twins and tryingContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Bailey Ober”

Starter Spotlight: Simeon Woods Richardson

6-8-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Bullpen game on the Pirates side today facing the Twins and their young righty in Simeon Woods Richardson. Woods Richardson made a spot start for Minnesota in each of the previous two seasons before finally breaking in as part of the big league club’s rotation. He’sContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Simeon Woods Richardson”

Starter Spotlight: Joe Ryan

6-7-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Despite the loss in the loss yesterday, the Pirates overall have been hitting RHP better of late – a wRC+ since June 1 – and they’ll be facing another challenge in today’s starter for the visiting Minnesota Twins: Joe Ryan. Ryan had an ELITE start toContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Joe Ryan”

Starter Spotlight: Walker Buehler

6-6-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X As the Pirates look for a sweep of the visiting Dodgers, they will face off against Walker Buehler – who is looking to make up for lost time after missing most of 2022 and all of 2023 due to injury and an eventual second Tommy JohnContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Walker Buehler”

Starter Spotlight: James Paxton

6-5-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Following a win in the opening game last night against the flame-throwing right-handed pitcher, Tyler Glasnow, the Pirates will look to keep rolling against contact-oriented southpaw in James Paxton. The veteran Paxton joined the Dodgers as a free agent this past offseason, providing a steadying presence despite notContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: James Paxton”

Tyler Glasnow: Revenge Game

6-4-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X New series! If you follow me on X, you have likely seen my near daily posts breaking down the opposing starting pitcher. We’re going to move that over to Steel City Pirates going forward to provide a more easily accessible format for everyone. Starting off withContinue reading “Tyler Glasnow: Revenge Game”