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• 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 & Superlat...2025
• 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...2025
• Run It Back, Jack!

3–14-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X There were a number of offensive pieces in the Pirates system who underperformed expectations in 2024 but one who fell off perhaps harder and faster than any other was Jack Suwinski. Jack has notably drawn the ire of many fans over the years. His tepid approach both atContinue reading "Run It Back, Jack!"...2025
Visit the page Jack Suwinski news today
• 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!"...2025
Visit the page Spring Training breaking news today
• Outlook Hayesy

2-21-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X One of the players for whom fans have had the most up-and-down expectations and results over the past few years, Ke’Bryan Hayes has had some high highs and some low lows in his first five seasons in black and gold. He surged to a stellar Covid-abbreviated 2020 beforeContinue reading "Outlook Hayesy"...2025
Visit the page Bryan Hayes breaking news today
• Can David Put His Struggles to Bed-nar?

2-14-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Pitchers and catchers reported this week and while there are a number of young arms catching looks down in Bradenton, another one enters this spring with a lot to prove as David Bednar hopes to overcome the issues that plagued his underwhelming 2024 after a stretch where heContinue reading "Can David Put His Struggles to Bed-n...2025
See also David Bednar headline news

• Starter Spotlight: Walker Buehler

6-6-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X As the Pirates look for a sweep of the visiting Dodgers, they will face off against Walker Buehler – who is looking to make up for lost time after missing most of 2022 and all of 2023 due to injury and an eventual second Tommy JohnContinue reading "Starter Spotlight: Walker Buehler"...2024
Visit the page Walker Buehler injuries
• Cutch Hits 2K and Keller has 7 Ks as Bucs Best Mets 2-1 (34-30)
6/11/23- By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on Twitter 14 years and 7 days. Five different teams. Overcoming injuries and moving primarily into a DH-role. Now, Andrew McCutchen joins the 2,000 hit club as its 290th member. McCutchen notched his 1,999th hit on Friday night on a third inning, infield-single to shortstop. He wasn’t able toContinue reading "Cutch Hits 2K and Keller ha...2023
Read about Andrew McCutchen injury update
• Cedric Mullins Hits for Cycle as Orioles Down Pirates 6-3 (21-18)

5/12/23- By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on Twitter A game which seemed to be very winnable throughout the night came crashing down when Mullins hit a 3-run home run in the 8th inning to finish off the cycle on the night. He had previously singled in the third, tripled in the fifth and doubled inContinue reading "Cedric Mullins Hits for Cycle as Orioles Down Pirates 6-3 (21-18)"...2023
See also Cedric Mullins injuries
• Defending Champion Houston Astros Trounce Bucs in Series Opener: (6-4)

4/10/23- By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on Twitter Reeling from losing Oneil Cruz on Sunday, the Pirates scuffled on Monday night, dropping the opening game of the Astros series 8-2. It was announced earlier in the day that Cruz had surgery to repair his fractured left ankle and would be out for 4 months. RoansyContinue reading "Defending Champion Houston Astros Trounce Bucs in Seri...2023
Check it out Oneil Cruz injury
• Assessing the Southpaw Situation

3-10-23 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on Twitter The old adage of “never having enough arms” is never more true than when your only proven left-handed relief pitcher goes down with an injury in spring training. Jarlin Garcia, signed this past off-season, appears slated to start the season on the injured list. In recentContinue reading "Assessing the Southpaw Situation"...2023
Continue with Jarlin Garcia

2025
"1-10-25 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Ok, I took a couple months off and am able to start settling in for the Pirates off-season with a little over a month before pitchers and catchers report."

2024
"1-10-23 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Last week, I looked at the outfield, breaking down the myriad of options and illustrating the options and difficulties at filling the three positions (four, counting bench player) on the grass."

2023
"2-22-23 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on Twitter With Spring Training off and running, I decided to dive into the roster and try to determine who could be a breakout player in 2023."

• At Hor-witz End: Why Spencer Horwitz Might Be The Pirates MVP in 2025

2-7-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X It’s been a fairly tepid off-season for the Pirates. After spending $33.2M on free agents last year and entering the season pledging that the goal was to win the division, they limped down the stretch en route to another 5th place finish. This off-season, they have been lessContinue reading "At Hor-witz End: Why Spencer Horwitz Migh...2025
• Starter Spotlight: Nick LodoLOL

6-18-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X With a chance to earn a series win, the Bucs bats will have to face-off against a former Pirates draft pick in Nick Lodolo. Entering today’s game, the southpaw has a 7-2 record, 2.93 ERA, 1.06 WHIP with 62 Ks to 15 walks. He’s won each of hisContinue reading "Starter Spotlight: Nick LodoLOL"...2024
See more articles Nick Lodolo contract rumors
• Starter Spotlight: Shades of Gray

6-12-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Signed to a free agent contract for 3 years, $75M this past off-season, Sonny Gray was an AL Cy Young runner up in 2023, finishing with a 2.79 ERA, 3.64 xFIP and 2.83 FIP. This year, the 34-year old has seen a small spike in his ERA to 3.29 butContinue reading "Starter Spotlight: Shades of Gray"...2024
Visit the page Sonny Gray trade rumors
• Starter Spotlight: James Paxton
6-5-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Following a win in the opening game last night against the flame-throwing right-handed pitcher, Tyler Glasnow, the Pirates will look to keep rolling against contact-oriented southpaw in James Paxton. The veteran Paxton joined the Dodgers as a free agent this past offseason, providing a steadying presence despite notContinue reading "S...2024
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• Series Preview: Cubs (22-16) at Pirates (17-21)

5-10-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X We waited for not even 9 months but the day has nearly arrived: Skenes Day! That’s right, 2023 first overall draft pick, Paul Skenes, will make his MLB debut on Saturday to a likely PACKED PNC Park and face division rival Chicago Cubs. This is a matchup ofContinue reading "Series Preview: Cubs (22-16) at Pirates (17-21)"...2024
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• Spring Breakout Preview

3-13-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X When it was announced this past off-season that MLB would be holding spring scrimmages strictly involving prospects, it seemed inevitable that the Pirates and Orioles would be two of the teams playing in spotlight games. Both teams have built up their farm system through trades and draft over the pastContinue reading "Spring Breakout Preview"...2024
• Mets Offense Explodes As Bucs Bats Snooze, Losing 7-2 (53-66)
8/14/23- By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on Twitter Heading to Queens to face the Mets, pre-ordained World Series contenders in the spring with their bloated payroll and lofty contracts, looking at an identical 53-65 record as the Pirates prior to the game. While Pittsburgh’s season has been a bit of a let-down for fans followingContinue reading "Mets Offense Explodes As Bucs Bats Sn...2023
Continue with World Series salary

• Outlook Hayesy
2025

See also Bryan Hayes
• Bullpen Struggles Continue As Bucs Swept, Lose 8-4 (41-52)
7/16/23- By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on Twitter The old quote of “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results” really seems to hit home when a scuffling offense with clear areas of struggle sees no change after the All Star Break. Austin Hedges caught two gamesContinue reading "Bullpen Struggles Continue As Bucs Swept, Lose 8-4...2023
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• 2025 NL Central Futures, Predictions & Superlatives
2025
• Hit Your Best Bat Leadoff
2025
• Run It Back, Jack!
2025

See more articles Jack Suwinski
• Oh, Henry!
2025

See also Spring Training
• Outlook Hayesy
2025

Visit the page Bryan Hayes
• Can David Put His Struggles to Bed-nar?
2025

Read about David Bednar
• At Hor-witz End: Why Spencer Horwitz Might Be The Pirates MVP in 2025
2025
• Helter Skelter, Derek Shelton

1-31-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X ‘Helter skelter,’ a phrase meaning “in undue haste, confusion, or disorder,” feels a fairly appropriate way to describe how this rebuild has unfolded. Messy trades, confusing signings and inability to properly develop impact bats within the system are just a few issues plaguing this squad. And now, headingCo...2025
Visit the page Derek Shelton

1. White Sox

2. World Series

3. Red Sox

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2511. Michael Castrignano

• Hit Your Best Bat Leadoff
2025
• Starter Spotlight: Hunting Heat With Greene

6-25-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Another day, another repeated Reds matchup as Pirates send out Mitch Keller to once again face off against Cincinnati flamethrower in Hunter Greene. Last week, Greene tossed 6.1 scoreless innings of 2-hit ball against the Bucs with zero walks and 9 strikeouts over his 106 pitches thrown. ItContinue reading "Starter Spotlight: Hunting...2024
Continue with Mitch Keller
• Series Preview: Reds (34-37) at Pirates (34-37)

6-17-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Pirates head home to face divisional foe Cincinnati Reds with both teams having their eyes on October baseball and reigniting the fires of rivalry in their first series of the season. This is also a first matchup of the tallest shortstops in baseball as MLB’s stolen base leaderContinue reading "Series Preview: Reds (34-37) at Pirates...2024
Continue with Cincinnati Reds
• Series Preview: Pirates (31-34) at Cardinals (31-33)

6-11-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X With the new schedule format, this is the first time that the Pirates and Cardinals will face off this season. Both teams may be at the bottom of the division looking up but each have been battling as of late with the Pirates notching critical series wins againstContinue reading "Series Preview: Pirates (31-34) at Cardinals (31-...2024
• Tyler Glasnow: Revenge Game
6-4-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X New series! If you follow me on X, you have likely seen my near daily posts breaking down the opposing starting pitcher. We’re going to move that over to Steel City Pirates going forward to provide a more easily accessible format for everyone. Starting off withContinue reading "Tyler Glasnow: Revenge Game"...2024
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• Series Preview: Dodgers (38-23) at Pirates (27-32)

6-4-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X If there is a David vs. Goliath in MLB, it’s whenever the Pirates and Dodgers face off as the Pirates have won 8 of the last 13 games against LA. Adding the reigning AL MVP in Shohei Ohtani to a lineup that includes former MVPs in Mookie BettsContinue reading "Series Preview: Dodgers (38-23) at Pirates (27-32)"...2024
See more articles Shohei Ohtani
• Series Preview: Cubs (22-16) at Pirates (17-21)
2024

Read about Paul Skenes
• Series Preview: Pirates (9-3) at Phillies (6-6)

4-11-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Before the divisional shake-up three decades ago, matchups with the cross-state Phillies were a regular occurrence with heated rivalry pitting the teams and fans alike against each other. While its been a long time since both teams were truly competitive at the same time, stakes are raised headingContinue reading "Series Preview: Pir...2024
• Bullpen Full of Bullets

1-25-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X Relievers are a “dime a dozen.” You’ve heard it. We’ve heard it. It’s a volatile role which has a lot of turnover. That said, strong bullpens have led the winning charge for Pirates teams during the 2013-15 playoff runs. Recent losing years have included some rough namesContinue reading "Bullpen Full of Bullets"...2024
• Keller Struggles Again as Pirates Lose 7-5 (43-56)
7/23/23- By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on Twitter With a chance to win their first series in over 3 weeks, sending All-Star Mitch Keller to face former Pirate and struggling southpaw, Tyler Anderson, seemed like a favorable matchup for Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, there have been very few favorable days for the Bucs this season – though,Continue reading "Keller Struggles Again ...2023
See more articles Mitch Keller