Michael

Starter Spotlight: Nick At Night

5-19-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X With both teams surging in drastically different directions, the Pirates welcome the Reds and former Pirate draft pick in lefty Nick Lodolo, who will be making his tenth start on the year as he comes into today with a 3.42 ERA through his first 52.2 innings pitched. LodoloContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Nick At Night”

Series Preview: Cincinnati Reds (24-24) at Pittsburgh Pirates (15-32)

5-19-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X While each team was part of a weekend rivalry sweep, things were certainly sunnier in Ohio for the Reds than in Philly for the Pirates. The Reds are riding a 4-game winning streak while the Bucs lost 5 of 6 in their road trip this past week and hopeContinue reading “Series Preview: Cincinnati Reds (24-24) at Pittsburgh Pirates (15-32)”

Starter Spotlight: Hit ‘Em If You’re Abel

5-18-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X It’s been a windy road to the bigs for Phillies pitcher Mick Abel, who was a first round pick and surged through the Phils system before stagnating due to injuries and inconsistency as he spent parts of the past three seasons at the top minor league affiliate beforeContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Hit ‘Em If You’re Abel”

Starter Spotlight: Pop A Wheeler

5-17-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X The 2024 Cy Young runner-up, Zack Wheeler is looking to claim the crown this season as he enters with a 2.95 ERA, an NL-best 0.91 WHIP and a sharp 4-1 record over his first 58 innings pitched. The Bucs and Wheeler matched up multiple times over the years,Continue reading “Starter Spotlight: Pop A Wheeler”

Series Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates (15-29) at Philadelphia Phillies (25-18)

5-16-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X While most fans of the team don’t feel there is much of a rivalry between the two Keystone state squads, it’ll be an east-versus-west weekend between the Battlin’ Bucs and the Phightin’ Phils in the City of Brotherly Love. The Pirates face an NL East team for the thirdContinue reading “Series Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates (15-29) at Philadelphia Phillies (25-18)”

Starter Spotlight: Southpaw Suarez

5-16-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Following a string season where Phillies starter Ranger Suarez posted a 3.46 ERA through 150.2 innings pitched, the limber lefty is looking to leap to another level. A recurring lower back strain delayed his start to the season but after a rough first outing, Suarez displayed some ofContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Southpaw Suarez”

Starter Spotlight: Mold Some Clay

5-14-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X It was only a few short years ago that Clay Holmes was a top pitching prospect in the Pirates system. After struggling to find success in Pittsburgh, he has found his niche in New York first as a shutdown reliever for the Yankees and now as one ofContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Mold Some Clay”

Starter Spotlight: Seize A Kodai(k) Moment

5-13-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Following a close game last night that had a number of photo finishes, Pittsburgh will pivot to their next matchup. Unfortunately for them, it’s not an easy one with Kodai Senga taking the ball for the Mets, following up on his picture-perfect 2023 rookie campaign and entering theContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Seize A Kodai(k) Moment”

Starter Spotlight: Don’t Peter Out, Son!

5-12-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X With the Pirates on the road again, heading to Queens to face the NL East-leading Mets, they’ll see starting pitcher David Peterson, who is off to a strong start to his 2025 campaign. After breaking out last year with a 2.90 ERA over 121 innings of work –Continue reading “Starter Spotlight: Don’t Peter Out, Son!”

Starter Spotlight: Strikeouts For Sale

5-11-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Following an extra-innings loss where just about everything could go wrong for the team and they still barely fumbled the game away, they will head into the rubber match of the series today against defending Cy Young winner, Chris Sale. While his base numbers early on this seasonContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Strikeouts For Sale”