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Pirate 2026 season thread

Sarge said:
Ryan O’Hearn set a Pirates franchise record with 10 RBI’s last night against the Braves. A grand slam and two three run homers. His 3rd HR was his 100th career home run. Also in doing what he did, became the 2nd player in MLB history to hit a grand slam and two three run HR in a game.

Oh and Skenes won for the first time in forever. Pretty good night.
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Don't look now but Skenes won another game. Also that rookie Valdez has been a hitting machine since they recalled him back up.
 
Steeltime said:
Don Kelly treats a 7-1 lead like it's 2-1, and then treats a 3-0 lead like it's 7-1. Just bizarre at times.

Don, Mlodzinski is probably your best reliever. Don't burn him out with 3 innings!! Give him one inning in high leverage and use him again the next day or 2 of the next 3! Stop using him to protect 5-1 leads!
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I read somewhere they want him in long relief outings in case they have to insert him back into the rotation at some point.
 
stillwright said:
I read somewhere they want him in long relief outings in case they have to insert him back into the rotation at some point.
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Ashcraft and Bubba are major league starters for the first time in their careers and are going to need a break at some point, so yeah, I get it.

But throwing away games today for a potential win tomorrow is a fool's game. Kelly has three relievers he can trust - Mlodzinski, Mattson and Montgomery. When Sisk returns from injury, he may be a 4th. Use them wisely.
 
Is it time for an old fan who remembers the 79 World Series and was a rabid fan in the Bonds, Bonilla, Van Slyke days to start paying attention again?
 
stillerfaninfl said:
No. They're interesting, but that's about it. Middle relief is limited. No closer. That's all.
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Yeah, unfortunately, your statement pretty much sums it up….

They definitely have to do something about closing out games… there have been some recent bright spots in the middle relief roles. However, the closer situation cannot continue the way it is and expect pirate fans to be excited about a potential wildcard spot this season….

I know they probably won’t do this because they like him in the long relief role, but I believe they ought to give Carmen Modelinski I shot at it…
He’d be great as a two inning closer… if they’re starting pitcher can consistently give them six solid innings that only leaves the seventh inning as a spot open for another person out of the pen..

What the hell it might work you never know!
 
Mason Montgomery is the team's best relief pitcher, Mlodzinski is second. Montgomery owns left-handed batters, has a filthy slider and deals 100 mph. Mlodzinski throws four pitches for strikes, does indeed throw strikes and keeps the ball in the yard.

Jared Jones is freaking legit. Nobody has mentioned this but Bubba has had four very good starts in his last six outings, including the game against the Phillies where he gave up just 2 runs in the first 6 before the bullpen allowed his runners in the 7th to score. Skenes has been good up until the Cubs game, Ashcraft finding his way back. Rotation is going to be good the last 60 games.

They are going to make the playoffs. Their rotation and hitting make them competitive in the postseason.
 
stillerfaninfl said:
It's over. See ya in the 2027 thread when it starts.
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2027? Might not be a pitch thrown in 27. Looks like the 2026 Pirates are going to end up disappointing us just like the last 30+years have.

And the sad thing is, if this train wreck pitching fiasco was even close to being average, they would be in a commanding lead for a WC spot, if not competing for the division, in spite of the injuries. Like last night. They get Skenes the lead in the first. There was a day when you could almost call it over. Nope! He proceeds to give it all back in the second.

This team could have been great, but it seems like half the pitchers on the team can't get 3 outs even if their lives depend on it.
 
Well they got a lot better in the relief pitching dept lets hope, and the pen did the job last night.

So you're telling me there's a chance? :LOL:
 
Well they got rid of the 12 million dollar man. No more screaming at the TV when he hits into a double play or strikes out at least....:LOL:
 
Bummer result last night men..

This squad when healthy is wild card playoff capable..especially offensively..

Injuries on offense have hurt and cost them probably 8-12 wins..

Need Konner and O’Neil back asap!
 
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steel dino said:
Bummer result last night men..

This squad when healthy is wild card playoff capable..especially offensively..

Injuries on offense have hurt and cost them probably 8-12 wins..

Need Konner and O’Neil back asap!
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And poor pitching as cost them 20-25.......I agree if they can get decent pitching and they start hitting the ball again they might be dangerous.

If.
 
Well I think the If part is answered. What a disappointment after they supposedly got better at the deadline.

2026 Pirates. Same as all the other Pirates teams.

Thank god football is here.
 
str8liner said:
2027? Might not be a pitch thrown in 27. Looks like the 2026 Pirates are going to end up disappointing us just like the last 30+years have.

And the sad thing is, if this train wreck pitching fiasco was even close to being average, they would be in a commanding lead for a WC spot, if not competing for the division, in spite of the injuries. Like last night. They get Skenes the lead in the first. There was a day when you could almost call it over. Nope! He proceeds to give it all back in the second.

This team could have been great, but it seems like half the pitchers on the team can't get 3 outs even if their lives depend on it.
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Maybe if they didn’t fire the pitching coach after last season. Pitching wasn’t bad last year. Had a cy young winner.
 
And something is wrong with Skenes. Guy didn’t even hit 97 on the gun last night.
 
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