We’re switching to a new server today, so no lead article. I’ll update this section later when we’re on the new server, and will have some details later on the process. If you see the update, it means you’re accessing the new site.
Update: You’re currently on the new server. I’ll have more updates later after I finish working on a few things on the back end of the site. The site will be free for a few days while we transition to the new server, and set up and transfer over to new membership software.
PLAYOFF PUSH
The Pirates are in fourth place in their division, trailing by 12 games with 32 games left on the schedule. They trail the second wild card team by 7.5 games.
Indianapolis is tied for first place with nine games left in their schedule. They do not own the tiebreaker.
Altoona is tied for first place with nine games left in their schedule. They also lead the race for the second playoff spot by 8.5 games.
Bradenton has been eliminated from the playoff race.
West Virginia is out of the division race with nine games left in their schedule. They trail the second place team in the overall standings by two games and could make the playoffs if the finish second because Lakewood won both half titles. The team they are chasing owns the tiebreaker, so West Virginia needs to finish ahead of them.
Morgantown has been eliminated from the playoff race.
Bristol can not win their division anymore. They are three games out of second place with four games left, though the team they are chasing owns the tiebreaker. The second place team also gets a playoff spot. Pirates need to win all four games and Kingsport needs to lose all four.
The GCL Pirates season ended.
The DSL Pirates1 season ended.
The DSL Pirates2 season ended.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
Today’s Starter and Notes: The Pittsburgh Pirates won 9-1 over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night. Chris Archer will get the start, coming off of his outing on August 20th when he gave up one run over four innings against the Atlanta Braves. The Brewers will counter with right-hander Chase Anderson, who has a 3.92 ERA in 135.1 innings, with 110 strikeouts and a 1.16 WHIP. He has faced the Pirates twice this season, allowing a total of seven earned runs over 10.2 innings.
The minor league schedule includes Mitch Keller, trying to continue his recent string of success with Indianapolis. In his last three starts combined, he has allowed three runs over 17 innings. Altoona’s Eduardo Vera gave up one run over seven innings in his last start. He has not allowed more than three runs in any of his last ten starts. The Curve can clinch a playoff spot tonight. Max Kranick tossed six shutout innings on three hits and no walks earlier this week. Bradenton has a doubleheader today after two straight rain outs. Mike Wallace was supposed to pitch Friday, while Evan Piechota had Saturday and Domingo Robles Sunday. Expect some combo of those three starters. Brad Case goes for Bristol, trying to build on his 5.2 shutout innings on one hit in his debut. The GCL/DSL seasons are over.
MLB: Pittsburgh (64-66) vs Brewers (72-59) 2:10 PM
Probable starter: Chris Archer (4.91 ERA, 19:7 SO/BB, 18.1 IP)
AAA: Indianapolis (69-62) @ Louisville (57-71) 1:35 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Mitch Keller (5.31 ERA, 45:19 SO/BB, 40.2 IP)
AA: Altoona (73-56) vs Richmond (61-69) 6:00 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Eduardo Vera (4.21 ERA, 53:19 SO/BB, 83.1 IP)
High-A: Bradenton (54-67) vs Dunedin (64-64) 12:00 PM DH (season preview)
Probable starter: Mike Wallace (4.85 ERA, 70:18 SO/BB, 102.0 IP) and TBD
Low-A: West Virginia (65-59) @ Rome (66-61) 2:00 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Max Kranick (3.96 ERA, 74:17 SO/BB, 75.0 IP)
Short-Season A: Morgantown (26-41) vs Auburn (36-31) 4:05 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: TBD (0.00 ERA, 0:0 SO/BB, 0.0 IP)
Rookie: Bristol (29-35) vs Elizabethton (35-27) 6:00 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Brad Case (0.00 ERA, 4:1 SO/BB, 5.2 IP)
GCL: Pirates (27-25) (season preview)
DSL: Pirates1 (32-40) (season preview)
DSL: Pirates2 (27-45) (season preview)
HIGHLIGHTS
From the last two days, home runs from Hunter Owen first…
and Rafelin Lorenzo
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
8/25: Pirates recall Nick Kingham. Clay Holmes optioned to Indianapolis. AJ Schugel sent outright to Indianapolis.
8/25: Dylan Busby placed on West Virginia disabled list. Ryan Valdes promoted from Morgantown.
8/25: Pirates release Pedro Castillo, Ronaldo Paulino, Ruben Gonzalez, Ivan Rosario and Matthew Mercedes.
8/24: Pirates sign Nick Mears.
8/24: Pirates activate Sean Rodriguez from disabled list.
8/24: Montana DuRapau placed on disabled list.
8/23: Michael Feliz optioned to Indianapolis.
8/23: Casey Sadler placed on Indianapolis disabled list. Montana DuRapau activated from DL.
8/21: Pirates recall Clay Holmes. Jordan Luplow optioned to Indianapolis.
8/21: Casey Sadler sent outright to Indianapolis.
8/20: Mariano Dotel, Braham Rosario and Jose Maldonado promoted from DSL to GCL Pirates. Yerry De Los Santos and Lizardy Dicent promoted from the GCL to Bristol.
8/20: Travis MacGregor placed on disabled list. Logan Stoelke promoted to West Virginia.
8/20: Pirates recall Steven Brault. Option Buddy Boshers to Indianapolis.
8/19: Bligh Madris activated from Bradenton disabled list. Justin Harrer returned to GCL Pirates
8/18: Stephen Alemais activated from the disabled list. Logan Ratledge placed on Altoona disabled list.
8/18: Manny Bejerano promoted to Morgantown.
8/18: Pat Dorrian promoted to Bristol.
8/17: Pirates sign Carlos Canache.
8/17: Sherten Apostel sent to Texas Rangers as the PTBNL in the Keone Kela trade.
8/16: Pirates recall Kevin Newman and Jordan Luplow. Jacob Stallings optioned to Indianapolis.
8/16: Jordy Mercer placed on disabled list.
8/16: Casey Sadler designated for assignment.
8/16: Brad Case promoted to Bristol.
THIS DATE IN PIRATES HISTORY
Three former Pittsburgh Pirates players born on this date, and one of them is a two-time former player, plus a trade of note. Exactly 15 years ago, the Pirates traded Brian Giles to the San Diego Padres for Jason Bay, Oliver Perez and Corey Stewart. While Giles put up huge numbers in Pittsburgh, the Pirates made out great in this deal, getting strong production out of Jason Bay in place of Giles. Perez also had one huge season on the mound for the Pirates before his numbers really fell off and he was eventually traded. Stewart never made the major.
Players born on this date include:
Jeff Richardson, 1991 infielder. Played six games for Pirates, filling in for an injured Jeff King. Richardson came to Pirates from the Reds in the Billy Hatcher trade.
Sparky Adams, 1928-29 infielder. Was part of the return in the unpopular, but necessary Kiki Cuyler trade. Pirates sold him to the Cardinals after two seasons.
Eric Fryer, 2011-12 catcher. Pirates acquired him from Yankees for Eric Hinske. Played 16 games over two seasons for Pirates during his first stint with the team. Played for Twins for three seasons, before signing with the Cardinals as a free agent during the 2016 off-season. Pirates picked him up off waivers in July, 2016 and he played 36 games for them in his second stint.
