3–29-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Securing win #1 on the season wasn’t easy as the luck went the Pirates way this time around but their opponent today has proven in his short MLB career that it’s better to be lucky than good. Taking the ball for the Marlins today, Vallente Bellozo was initiallyContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Lucky Vallente”
Category Archives: Series
Starter Spotlight: Fishy Gil-lispie
3–28-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Following a dramatic walkoff that Pirates fans are all too familiar with, there’s always another game. Another chance for your team to show they aren’t completely hopeless, and the Pirates get that chance today as they’ll face Connor Gillispie. Drafted in the 9th round in 2019 by theContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Fishy Gil-lispie”
Starter Spotlight: Starting Off Walking Sandy Beaches
3–27-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X It’s officially baseball season (I mean, if you don’t count that silly Dodgers/Cubs thing last week) and we are BACK underway evaluating and discussing opposing starting pitchers. Today, the Pirates head to South Beach and will open the season with Cy Young finalist, Paul Skenes, facing off againstContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Starting Off Walking Sandy Beaches”
2025 Opening Series Preview: Pirates (0-0) at Marlins (0-0)
3-27-25 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X The Pittsburgh Pirates open the 2025 season in Miami for a second consecutive year, looking to start strong and find consistency after two false-starts in 2023 and 2024. Neither of these teams have been lighting it up offensively, ranking 24th (Pirates, 665) and 27th (Marlins, 637) in runs scored lastContinue reading “2025 Opening Series Preview: Pirates (0-0) at Marlins (0-0)”
2025 NL Central Futures, Predictions & Superlatives
3-25-25 – By Corey Shrader – @CoreyShrader on X; Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X As the season gets ready to ramp up, we peer once more into our crystal ball to make some predictions for the division. We had some hits and some misses when we tried this last year but we are 100% confident that we will DEFINITELY getContinue reading “2025 NL Central Futures, Predictions & Superlatives”
Hit Your Best Bat Leadoff
3-21-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X With the season starting in less than a week, let’s get REALLY radical with my last pre-season article topic: Lineup Construction. Hold on, I know what you’re thinking. “Shelton tinkers with the lineup too much. He never stays consistent with a batting order. Yadda, yadda, yadda.” I can’tContinue reading “Hit Your Best Bat Leadoff”
Oh, Henry!
2-28-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X As the rebuild has progressed for the Pirates, there have been less and less real “battles” in Spring Training. Sure, a utility role or a 4th outfielder consistently has competition but the team, despite however you may feel about it, have started nailing down specific players at specificContinue reading “Oh, Henry!”
Starter Spotlight: Flushing Schmidt
9-29-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Final game of the season as the Pirates vie for a potential sweep of the Yankees in the Bronx with the opposing starter pitcher, Clarke Schmidt, facing off in game 162. Despite spending more than three months on the injured list due to a right lat strain, SchmidtContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Flushing Schmidt “
Starter Spotlight: Rookie Rumble
9-28-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Showdown today between front-runners for Rookie of the Year in both leagues as Paul Skenes and the Pirates face the Yankees and their rookie starter, Luis Gil. Gil has posted a strong first full season in the big leagues with a 15-6 record and 3.27 ERA over 146Continue reading “Starter Spotlight: Rookie Rumble”
Series Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates (74-85) at New York Yankees (93-66)
The Pirates conclude their 2024 season against the Yankees, focusing on personal records despite playoff implications being minimal for both teams. Key players and injuries noted.
Steel City Pirates 