130 Comments
User's avatar
HeyFred's avatar

16 ks out of 27 outs. Counting hits and errors, they put the ball in play, what, 17 or 18 times over 9 innings? Woof.

Expand full comment
Cobra 39's avatar

They just put on the screen 18 whiffs against the curveball alone. Knew it was coming and still couldn’t make contact. Just a blah performance all around tonight.

Expand full comment
WTM's avatar

16 Ks for the Cheringtons. And Valdez isn't a huge strikeout pitcher.

Expand full comment
MB 21's avatar

How about that Tucker trade? Paredes with a 122 OPS+ and young Cam Smith with a bright future. Smith played here in MB in low A ball for the Cubs briefly last year. His 97 OPS is seemingly better than just about all the Pirates prospects of the past few years put together! We can't imagine having a Kyle Tucker but to trade him seems inconceivable - yet the Astros turned one year of control into two solid players and a pitcher (albeit injured). Imagine getting actual hitters back!

Expand full comment
HeyFred's avatar

Pirates not putting up much of a fight, giving away every at bat in the 7th and 8th. Awful.

Better get their heads right for tomorrow's game.

Expand full comment
MB 21's avatar

Why? Oops, there's my cynicism again!

I was happy with the west coast trip but this series hasn't been good. Looking at the "trade deadline" debates has been totally demoralizing. I can't help but think about the mess of trading BC has been. How anyone can get such drivel back in trades year after year is just awful - unless maybe he's trying to ruin the organization? I don't care about how it might affect the draft or anything - please fire the guy ASAP!

Expand full comment
bucsws2024's avatar

Cutch/Reynolds/Gonzalez: 11 ABs, 11 Ks (and a walk from BRey).

That's fugly from your 2/3/4 hitters.

Expand full comment
MB 21's avatar

I can understand the 'Stros being upset at playing a game starting after 10 PM when they have a game in another city the next day. I'm surprised the union permits that nonsense. Give them credit for hitting, though. Their hits with RISP just tonight would take about a month for the Battlin' Bucs. Pitiful! Unlike most of the year, Keller deserved the loss in this one.

Expand full comment
StatsCbl's avatar

This is one of the negatives of the balanced schedule. The Astros don't come back to Pittsburgh again. I think we will see a lot more of this craziness as so many series teams only travel to once.

Expand full comment
MB 21's avatar

I've never understood giving Nicolas chance after chance. The guy simply can't throw strikes. MLB - 43 BB in 68 IP (before tonight); MiLB - 167 BB in 313 IP; college - 102 BB in 135 IP. Behind in the count, batters then feast on his pitches down the middle. No improvement in control just doesn't cut it. Just release him next time and bring Moreta up.

Expand full comment
theobserver's avatar

Tune out at 4-2. Check Gameday a bit later. 6-2. I once more don't feel like less of a fan for tuning out. 2025 Pirates baseball, baby.

Expand full comment
Aurorus Borealus's avatar

It is impossible to take this team seriously or watch them regularly when they have Jared Triolo starting a game at 1B, Ke Bryan Hayes an immovable fixture at 3B, and Tommy Pham getting the majority of the starts in LF.

I pretty much checked out about a week ago and just check in once in a while on gameday. I just can't justify wasting my time any more with this pathetic organization, these garbage players, this idiot GM, and this cheapskate, do-nothing owner. They are one of the most pathetic organizations in professional sports, and that is never going to change.

Expand full comment
theobserver's avatar

Sometimes I just really, really, really want to avoid doing work. That's usually when the Pirates end up on my screen.

And yes, it's impressive that they're so bad now that sometimes I'm like, "I think I'd rather do work."

Expand full comment
Aurorus Borealus's avatar

Well.. I have been really busy with work lately as my business is really taking off, so I had the game on in the background while working for most of May, but not any more. I have the Royals or Rangers games on in the background now.

It's sad. I haven't missed more than a handful of games per season (except the Covid year) for 15 years. I stayed with them through the cocaine scandals of the 80s, the 90s, the bankruptcy, through the Littlefield years. Ben Cherington's complete incompetence and Nutting's refusal to fire him finally broke me. It feels strange, not having that 2 hours or so every day of Pirates time, but I can't take it any more.

Expand full comment
bucsws2024's avatar

Sure, you want a better hitter than Triolo as your RH platoon 1b, but you're not playing Horwitz vs Flamber. And Triolo did get 2 hits and scored both runs.

Expand full comment
Anthony Murphy's avatar

Quick shoutout to my Pacers for another come-from-behind win that included a Haliburton game-winner.

Now I can focus on baseball the rest of the night.

Expand full comment
Cobra 39's avatar

Hali is money in the clutch. Amazing run of big shots all postseason. And just an easy guy to root for.

Expand full comment
bucsws2024's avatar

On my college board, someone posted a stat that he's 6-7 on shots in the final 90 seconds to take the lead.

Expand full comment
Anthony Murphy's avatar

He's 13 of 15 in the final two minutes with a chance to tie or take the lead this season (including playoffs). That's just absolutely insane

Expand full comment
Anthony Murphy's avatar

I used to watch him play for the Kings his rookie year at night while I was writing after watching the Pirates' minor league games. Become such a big fan. Added him in a fantasy basketball league I was in and ended up winning the whole thing.

He got traded to the Pacers, a more favorable time zone, and I was like 'You know what, I'm going to switch teams here'

Didn't really have an affiliation. Liked the Wizards because they were close to me. Liked Dame so rooted for the Blazers a bit.

Was just something about Haliburton that made me want to follow him. I guess we are seeing why.

Expand full comment
Cobra 39's avatar

Seem like a team of destiny this year. So many improbable comebacks. Great group of team first guys. I love Siakam too.

Expand full comment
Anthony Murphy's avatar

Getting Siakam without having to give up their young core was so huge. I love what he's added to this team. Haliburton needed that other guy.

Expand full comment
Cobra 39's avatar

And then Turner, Nesmith, and Nembhard defend like crazy, and have all had their moments in the postseason. Really fun team. OKC is too. Maybe not a great finals for ratings but I really like the matchup.

Expand full comment
Anthony Murphy's avatar

Obviously Haliburton is the reason I'm a Pacers fan BUT Andrew Nembhard is right up there with him now. I love his game. He played so well tonight.

OKC is fun too. SGA is such an amazing scorer.

I mean, if all the games are like that, ratings have to start trending up. Even if it don't, who cares, everyone elses loss

Expand full comment
Scott Kliesen's avatar

Was Chandler as bad as his line?

Expand full comment
StatsCbl's avatar

The field was wet when he was pitching and fielders were a step slow as hits were dropping. It was raining and it didn't look like he was trying to overpower anyone. I think he almost looked bored. I am pretty confident he is going to be ready whenever the Pirates bring him up.

Expand full comment
Anthony Murphy's avatar

Think all of that was in the first. Only pitched two innings because of a rain delay

Expand full comment
Melkel's avatar

Triolo with 2 hits in a game. Cruz hits a lefty. Are we colliding with an alternate universe?

Expand full comment
HeyFred's avatar

This universe is every bit as sub-mediocre as the last, apparently.

Can we find a universe that features some offense?

Expand full comment
Chris Chapman's avatar

RBI off a tough lefty. Way to go Cruz!

Expand full comment
AdministrativeSky236's avatar

2 out rally cooking!

Expand full comment
1979andCounting's avatar

No crooked numbers allowed!

Expand full comment
1979andCounting's avatar

Pham pounding another ball into the dirt. He's beyond being coachable at this point.....and we are subject to this daily BS.

Expand full comment
theobserver's avatar

At least Pham got one more decent paycheck before he aged out of MLB.

Expand full comment
1979andCounting's avatar

Checks that box for the Union......that's what matters for BC and Bob.

Expand full comment
Green Weenie's avatar

Wow! Gotta give Hayes his props. Hell of a play.

Expand full comment
Green Weenie's avatar

Watching this kind of baseball is what causes people to develop crushes on ballplayers' moms. I blame Nutting!

Expand full comment
AdministrativeSky236's avatar

I like that content though Weenie

Expand full comment
Phil's avatar

It’s games like this that lowers Kellers trade value below what the fans need it to be

Expand full comment