Pirates/MLB category, Page 222
Here’s the pitch: Pirates set to begin unprecedented season amid coronavirus pandemic
For the first time in 293 days, a game between two Major League Baseball teams will be played at PNC Park. The Pirates host the Cleveland Indians in an exhibition game at 7:05 p.m. Saturday — with the game being carried on radio and television. It’s the first of three...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Discussing what Derek Shelton can’t, Pirates players with covid-19
One of the most uncomfortable interactions with coaches involves asking why a player didn’t participate in practice, attempting to clarify whether it’s for a disciplinary, illness, injury or personal matter. Derek Shelton won’t discuss it. Because he can’t discuss it. That’s the reality of the covid-19 sportsworld, when teams aren’t...
5 big 2020 Pirates questions: Will a short season help the Pirates?
Our “Breakfast With Benz” Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training 2.0 coverage has built all week to this. We’ve posed one crucial question per day about the Pirates as they prepare for the 2020 shortened season. We looked at the batting order and the starting rotation. We analyzed the bullpen and tried...
Pirates won’t be the only team using ‘piggyback’ tandem. How will it impact fantasy leagues?
If you’re already tired of hearing about the Pirates “piggyback” starting idea, too bad. They aren’t going to be the only team employing that type of tactic in this herky-jerky 2020 Major League Baseball season. That’s what Jeff Erickson tells us in this week’s “Breakfast With Benz” fantasy sports podcast....
Brothers Rick, David Eckstein lean on each other to prop up Pirates’ bats
David Eckstein was a 5-foot-7 shortstop who was drafted in the 19th round by the Boston Red Sox in 1997. Three years later, the Red Sox waived him. World Series and All-Star Games didn’t appear to be in his future. But big brother, Rick, never stopped believing, a stubborness that...
Chris Stratton aims to turn ‘elite-type’ stuff into results in Pirates bullpen
Justin Meccage’s reaction to the talents of relief pitcher Chris Stratton is encouraging. “This guy’s got pitch characteristics that not many people have in terms of spin on the fastball, spin on the curveball, spin on the slider,” the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen coach said. “Very elite-type pitches.” But can Stratton...
Five big 2020 Pirates questions: How does the bullpen come together?
This week at “Breakfast With Benz,” we have isolated one major question surrounding the Pirates per day as they ramp up for the start of this delayed 2020 season. So far we have looked at the lineup, the starting rotation, and the future of first-round draft choice Cole Tucker. Thursday’s...
First Call: ‘Dave Parker Day’ is Friday. Celebrating the day The Cobra uncoiled.
You’re calling off sick on Friday, right? What? You’re not? How come? Did you forget it’s “Dave Parker Day”? Yup! Tomorrow is the 41st anniversary of “The Cobra’s” MVP performance in the All-Star Game, July 17, 1979. That’s when the Pirates right fielder gunned down two American League runners with...
Pirates manager Derek Shelton’s office has HOF jerseys, Pittsburgh-themed vibesVideo
The Pittsburgh Pirates gave a glimpse of new manager Derek Shelton’s refurbished office at PNC Park through the lens of social media. On Wednesday night, Shelton gave a virtual tour. The office has a picture window, a new paint scheme and the stylistic touch of Shelton’s wife, Alyson, whom he...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates GM Ben Cherington ‘impressed’ by covid-19 testing
When it comes to covid-19 testing, Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington is impressed with how MLB has implemented the health and safety protocols in training camp. That’s especially true for those tested most frequently: Players and coaches. Cherington credited the league for being proactive with adjustments to the system...
GM Ben Cherington says Pirates don’t expect to add any players through free agency, trades
General manger Ben Cherington warned that the Pittsburgh Pirates probably won’t add any new players to their 30-man major league roster through free agency or trades before next week’s season opener at St. Louis, despite having the third-lowest payroll in the majors. “I would expect that the players who are...
Covid-19 shutdown gave Pirates pitcher Clay Holmes time to patiently recover from broken foot
Arm strength and athleticism matter for anyone trying to overcome adversity or even make it in the major leagues with a sound body. But there is something to be said for intelligence and patience, and Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Clay Holmes has shown evidence of both. He earned a 4.0...
5 big 2020 Pirates questions: Can the starting rotation keep team afloat?
With the Pirates ramping up to their 60-game sprint of a season, each day this week at “Breakfast With Benz,” we will be examining the five most pressing questions facing the team. The Pirates open the season on Friday, July 24 in St. Louis. Tuesday’s question: What should the Pirates...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates CF Jarrod Dyson makes powerful, provocative statement
The Zoom interview with Jarrod Dyson wavered from candid to cliche as the Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder touched on a number of baseball-related topics and showed his jovial and jaded sides. A serious question to Dyson, however, received a serious response. And it was as powerful as it was provocative....
Pirates add first-round pick Nick Gonzales to their alternate training site in Altoona
The Pittsburgh Pirates are adding No. 1 draft pick Nick Gonzales to their alternate training site in Altoona, paving the way for the former New Mexico State shortstop to play professional baseball this summer. Gonzales is awaiting results from a covid-19 test before he can practice, his father Mike Gonzales...
Pirates counting on speedy Jarrod Dyson to solidify center field, provide veteran leadership
When Jarrod Dyson homered in Monday night’s intrasquad game, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton joked it was fun to watch the “fastest guy running around the bases in the big leagues.” After striking out in his first three at-bats, Dyson cracked that he was just trying to “get off the...
Pirates’ Colin Moran ‘locked in’ on bid to keep third base job
Colin Moran has plenty of important subjects on his mind, but pierogi races wouldn’t seem to be one of them. While chatting with reporters Monday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman was asked if he watches the races at PNC Park (after previously referring to them as “that race they...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Joe Musgrove states his case to be Pirates’ Opening Day starter
Another day of training camp saw another intrasquad scrimmage on Monday, but the Pittsburgh Pirates showed off some potential storylines for the start of the season. Josh Bell crushed a homer. Joe Musgrove was humming. The pitching piggyback made its debut. Jarrod Dyson rounded the bases, too. The best news...
5 big 2020 Pirates questions: What should be done with Cole Tucker?
The Pirates are ramping up to their 60-game sprint of a season at PNC Park’s “Spring Training 2.0.” The Major League Baseball schedule starts for the Pirates on Friday, July 24 in St. Louis. So each day this week at “Breakfast With Benz,” we will be examining the five most...
Pirates pitcher JT Brubaker making up for lost time
JT Brubaker called it a “hiccup.” No pain, just “tightness.” Yet the strain in his right forearm robbed the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 26-year-old right-hander of all but four starts in Triple-A Indianapolis last season. No doubt, he has some catching up to do in spring training 2.0. He was the Pirates...
Pirates, Indians schedule 3 exhibition games prior to start of season
The Pittsburgh Pirates will launch the competitive portion of their baseball season Saturday at PNC Park with the first of three exhibition games against the Cleveland Indians. The opener will be followed by a trip to Progressive Field in Cleveland on July 20 and a return to PNC Park on...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Weird as it was for Pirates to play in silence, it felt like baseball
As weird as it was to see baseball back last week with Pittsburgh Pirates in training camp at PNC Park, it’s even weirder to watch them play games without fans in the stands. Even if it’s only an intrasquad game. And we have baseball at PNC Park.Intrasquad baseball.But baseball nonetheless....
5 big 2020 Pirates questions: Can the Pirates hit their way to relevance?
The Pirates are ramping up to their 60-game sprint of a season at PNC Park’s “Spring Training 2.0.” The Major League Baseball schedule starts for the Pirates on Friday, July 24 in St. Louis. So each day this week at “Breakfast With Benz,” we will be examining the five most...
Pirates’ Luke Maile in a groove at the plate, out to shake reputation as defense-only catcherVideo
This coronavirus-affected 2020 MLB season can be described as a sprint and not a marathon. That works for Luke Maile. The new Pittsburgh Pirates catcher describes himself as “the anti-marathoner.” “That will never, ever happen,” Maile said of running a marathon. “People say, ‘You never say never,’ but I can...
Pirates’ Derek Shelton spends ‘awesome’ day at Steelers’ facility with Mike Tomlin
If during the news conference after his first game as Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton drops a well-delivered “obviously,” we’ll know why. Shelton and Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin have built a relationship over the seven months since Shelton was hired, and the two were joined by their respective general...
