Tag Archives: Pittsburgh

Ten Pirates Player Observations Before We Finish 2024

This season has shown insights on returning players. Cruz’s batting, Davis’s catching, Reynolds’s offense, Hayes’s injury, Bednar’s challenges, Gonzales’s promise, Bart’s performance, Skenes’s potential, Keller’s reliability, and Joe’s role are key points.

Starter Spotlight: Looking To Cobb-le A Series Win

9-1-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Looking for a chance at a series win against a strong Guardians team, the Pirates will square off against Alex Cobb, who has spent much of the 2024 season the injured list between the San Francisco Giants and a trade deadline deal which sent him to Cleveland. TheContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Looking To Cobb-le A Series Win”

Starter Spotlight: The Boyd is Back in Town

8-31-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Looking to even the series, the Pirates face veteran lefty, Matthew Boyd, who joined the Guardians on a mid-season free agent contract after spending most of his career with division rival, Detroit Tigers. Boyd struggled to find a contract entering 2024 after posting a 5.45 ERA in 15Continue reading “Starter Spotlight: The Boyd is Back in Town”

David Bednar Finally Removed from Closer Role; I’d Prefer the Role Itself be Removed

David Bednar’s struggles as a closer for the Pirates raise questions about management’s handling of the situation and the role of closers in baseball. Calls for a change are finally being heard.

Series Preview: Pirates (62-71) at Guardians (76-58)

8-30-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X The last time the Pirates visited Cleveland, the team was in the throes of the first year of the current rebuild under Cherington, finishing off the 19-41, 2020 Covid-shortened season going 1-2 against host Cleveland squad – who were still known as the [name redacted] back then. WhileContinue reading “Series Preview: Pirates (62-71) at Guardians (76-58)”

Starter Spotlight: Looking For A Lively Game

8-30-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Eager to move past a dreadful series at home against the Cubs, the Pirates head 130 miles northwest to face the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians and surprising success story in Ben Lively. Lively bounced around several MLB organizations since debuting in 2017, even spending a few years inContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Looking For A Lively Game”

If Change for this Pirates Club is Coming, Where?

In 2024, Pittsburgh’s team faces the challenge of upgrading its roster despite few obvious areas for improvement. The manager’s role is discussed as crucial for development and deployment of players.

Starter Spotlight: Gin Up On Hendricks

8-28-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X The Pirates will look to avoid being swept by the Cubs against the veteran, soft-tossing Kyle Hendricks, who is in the twilight of his career but still somehow can get the best of the Bucs. Jameson Taillon and Justin Steele both entered this series with poor career marksContinue reading “Starter Spotlight: Gin Up On Hendricks”

Where To Point The Finger

8-28-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X The Pirates finally pulled the trigger and fired someone. Granted, it was not anyone in the Pirates coaching staff or the front office – but the Director of International Scouting, Junior Vizcaino – who had been in the role since replacing Rene Gayo, famously associated with the MiguelContinue reading “Where To Point The Finger”