Grandal walk-off seals Pirates series win over Reds: Takeaways from a crucial NL Central series win

The 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates have shown a knack for late game dramatics but struggled with a 10-game losing streak. Wins against division rivals are crucial for playoff contention, but some players are underperforming. The team’s pitching strength bodes well for the 2025 season.

Starter Spotlight: Carson Spiers Round Three (Updated to Nick Martinez)

8-24-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X UPDATE: Starting pitcher changed to Nick Martinez – who enters today with a 6-6 record and 3.64 ERA through 101.1 innings this season. He started the year in the rotation but pitched relief from May through July before returning to starting this month. He has a 2.72 ERAContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Carson Spiers Round Three (Updated to Nick Martinez)”

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”

Series Preview: Reds (62-65) at Pirates (59-67)

8-22-24 – By Ethan Smith – @mvp_EtHaN The Pittsburgh Pirates are back home after a short road trip to Texas that saw a series loss to the Texas Rangers as a result, and the North Shore welcomes the Cincinnati Reds for a four-game set this weekend at PNC Park. These two teams are in veryContinue reading “Series Preview: Reds (62-65) at Pirates (59-67)”

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”

Series Preview: Pirates (58-65) at Rangers (57-68)

8-19-24 – By Gary Morgan – @garymo2007 on Twitter Two teams that still have a winning record within reach, two teams that probably have lost the dream of making the playoffs in 2024. The Rangers have struggled with pitching, the Pirates have struggled with offense. Neither are exactly where they want to be. Let’s get in there…Continue reading “Series Preview: Pirates (58-65) at Rangers (57-68)”