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First Pitch: The Common, Yet Wrong Way to Manage a Bullpen
After today’s game, Clint Hurdle announced that he would only be using Jason Grilli and Mark Melancon when the team is ahead. Hurdle didn’t use either reliever in the ninth… Read more
First Pitch: The Road to Contending Goes Through Milwaukee
For the past two years I’ve had the same thought about the Milwaukee Brewers and what they say about the Pirates’ chances. The thought is always “if the Pirates can… Read more
First Pitch: Hanrahan a Recent Example of Why You Sell High on Relievers
Back when the Joel Hanrahan trade happened, there were a lot of complaints that the Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t get enough in return and should have held on to Hanrahan until… Read more
First Pitch: A Look at the Short-Term and Long-Term Pitching Moves
I was asked this morning on Twitter how the pitching staff would look on July 1st. The recent starts by Jeff Locke, the eventual returns of Francisco Liriano and Charlie… Read more
First Pitch: What to do About Jonathan Sanchez in the Short-Term?
Francisco Liriano had a great start on Thursday. He threw five innings for Indianapolis, allowing one run on four hits, with no walks and eight strikeouts. Jonathan Sanchez didn’t have… Read more
First Pitch: The Pirates Prospects Podcast
For the last few years I’ve debated whether to add a podcast to the site. There are already some good podcasts out there at Bucs Dugout and Rumbunter, and I… Read more
First Pitch: Thinking Back to Dylan Bundy
I happened to be thinking about Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Dylan Bundy this afternoon at McKechnie Field. I was watching Nick Kingham long tossing from about 300 feet, throwing from… Read more
First Pitch: Time to Start Looking at the Bullpen Depth
If there’s one thing the Pirates have been good at, it has been finding relievers. Jason Grilli, Mark Melancon, and even guys like Jeanmar Gomez and Vin Mazzaro have come… Read more
First Pitch: These Pirates Are Good, But…
In tonight’s game story, James Santelli broke down the great homestand the Pirates just had, and how impressive it was that they beat three teams who look like they’ll be… Read more
First Pitch: The New Wandy Rodriguez Making Last Summer’s Trade Look Good
When the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Wandy Rodriguez last year at the trade deadline, I wasn’t a fan of the move. For one, I really liked Robbie Grossman’s upside. I also… Read more
