Pirates Insider Podcast

Tempers flared and benches emptied. Rookies contributed. Another bullpen day worked. And Jared Triolo worked some defensive magic. So many storylines to unpack in this one. What went right for the pitching staff? How did Esmerlyn Valdez, Konnor Griffin and Rafael Flores Jr. contribute? What set off the benches-clearing ... argument? Jason Mackey breaks down all of that and more.

The Pirates scored three runs over the weekend and five in the first inning Tuesday. What sparked the Pirates? Furthermore, what was it about their approach that led to success? Bubba Chandler started and was outstanding. What pitch was key for him in this one? Jason Mackey dives into all of that and a bunch of crazy numbers on this edition of the Pirates Insider Podcast.

With the off-day, plenty of listener questions to address. Who goes when Ryan O'Hearn returns? What will the outfield mix look like? How will the Pirates look at Ben Cherington's future? Where do the Pirates spend in free agency this winter? Jason Mackey addresses all of those and more on today's episode.

Paul Skenes started against his childhood team, but the takeaway was bigger than that. He delivered 5 1/3 shutout innings, dropping the ERA for Pirates starters over the past 12 games to 2.95. Not surprisingly, they're 8-4 in that span. What to make of Skenes' outing? What did Henry Davis adjust? Also, where does another series victory put the Pirates in the playoff hunt? Jason Mackey breaks all of that down and more.

The Pirates stayed on schedule by wrapping up a series victory over the Giants. What was unique about the way the Pirates scored? Also, Khristian Curtis was recalled and made another positive impression. Jack Mangum was  a "spark plug" for the Pirates, and is Friday a realistic return date for Konnor Griffin? Speaking of that, what can we expect from Griffin when he does return? Jason Mackey discusses all of that, plus this year's Pirates Hall of Fame class on today's podcast.

The Pirates suffered a 5-4 loss in 10 inning to the Giants on Wednesday. It was a game they absolutely had to have. What happened in the fifth inning? The bigger story was Carmen Mlodzinski and why the Pirates took him out after three innings and just 30 pitches. Jason Mackey breaks down that, as well as a few other things that contributed to the loss.

The Pirates' win over the Giants on Tuesday was not a Mozart. However, they did what they needed to do to keep hope alive during this homestand. What mattered about the Pirates' big third inning? Are there concerns for the bullpen? What about Paul Skenes' start? And are they missing Ryan O'Hearn? Jason Mackey breaks all of that down here.

Mason Montgomery was one of the best relievers in baseball in August. What has led to that? Furthermore, how did the Pirates become one of the best bullpens since the MLB Trade Deadline? With rosters expanding Tuesday, who are the candidates on the pitching and hitting sides? Jason Mackey tackles all of that on the off day.

The Pirates finished their road trip at 4-5, but they've won four of five series. What does that mean for this homestand? And, is there still a chance? One thing that has become a weapon: their bullpen. What sort of get-right performances did the Pirates get over the weekend in St. Louis, and what might have Paul Skenes found in his last start? Jason Mackey breaks it all down right here.

What did Paul Skenes find in his last start, and what does that mean moving forward? Will the lockout have anything to do with Bob Nutting's after-the-season decision-making on Ben Cherington? What future does Endy Rodriguez have with the Pirates? A bunch of great questions this week. Jason Mackey digs into them here.

The Pirates couldn't pull off a sweep of the Padres. The culprit wasn't hard to identify: They struggled hitting with runners in scoring position. What was the damage and how can they fix it? Also, the starting pitching was very good in this series. What led to it? And is it sustainable? Lastly, Endy Rodriguez is lost for the season. What does that mean for the Pirates? Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

Paul Skenes had his best start in some time against the Padres. What led to it and why should Pirates feel encouraged moving forward? Oneil Cruz homered in the ninth off Mason Miller. What did that say about his maturity? Lastly, the bullpen has been outstanding recently. What has led to it? Jason Mackey breaks all of that down and more.

The Pirates were 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position and had stranded 12 before Nick Gonzales came through in the clutch. What about big innings for Kirby Yates and Yohan Ramirez? Also, the Pirates got a few more big performances from relievers. Could Esmerlyn Valdez's home run spark him? Lastly, Braxton Ashcraft delivered another solid performance and had some thoughts on a silly rule. Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

The Pirates lost three games to the Dodgers over the weekend. What was the difference? Ben Cherington believes this team is still capable of making a run. What would have to happen for that to be the case? Lastly, Khristian Curtis was a bright spot Sunday. Could he stick around? Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

The Pirates are starting what could be a season-defining road trip. In this episode of the Pirates Inside Podcast, Jason Mackey dives into nine storylines to follow. They range from the quality of the opponents to Paul Skenes, the fifth start spot, Esmerlyn Valdez and how Konnor Griffin and Ryan O'Hearn factor in to all of this.

Brandon Lowe walked it off, and Rafael Flores Jr. hit two home runs despite not being in the starting lineup. Why do both of those individual stories matter so much? And why was this potentially the biggest win of the year for the Pirates? Also, what to make of Paul Skenes' latest outing? Jason Mackey breaks it all down right here.

We've seen this movie before. Oneil Cruz hit a key home run in his first game back. Meanwhile, Braxton Ashcraft nearly replicated his career-best start. What went into both of those? And what do they mean for the Pirates' chances moving forward? Why was Tuesday's game especially important? Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

Carmen Mlodzinski struggled during the Pirates' 8-5 loss to the Tigers on Monday night at PNC Park. What gave him trouble? And what should the Pirates do about his role? Before the game, the Pirates got some good news on Oneil Cruz, Konnor Griffin and Ryan O'Hearn. Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

The Pirates beat the Red Sox, 8-3, on Sunday at PNC Park to win the series. What did the bullpen show us? Also, what is there to take out of the offensive side, especially as it relates to Esmerlyn Valdez, Bryan Reynolds and Brandon Lowe? Ben Cherington also talked about the Paul Skenes decision and Oneil Cruz's timeline. Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

Braxton Ashcraft was outstanding Thursday against the Marlins. What led to it? And what about that relationship with Rafael Flores Jr.? Speaking of Flores, with Endy Rodriguez going on the IL again, what does that mean for his situation. The Pirates also got some production from unlikely sources. Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

The Pirates lost again to the Marlins, this time by an 8-2 score at loanDepot Park. Carmen Mlodzinski struggled, the offense was once again quiet, and mistakes cost the Pirates. But the bigger story might've been postgame, when Don Kelly said he wasn't happy with the amount of fight shown. What else has bothered Kelly? How did players take his comments? And what's been happening with Mlodzinski? Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

The Pirates suffered a 2-0 loss to the Marlins at loanDepot Park on Tuesday. Why did the Pirates pull Paul Skenes after just innings and 65 pitches? And, is there any greater concern moving forward? Jason Mackey discusses that, as well as a few catching storylines on the podcast.

The Pirates finished a stretch of 17 games in 17 days at 5-12, obviously not good enough. Jared Jones allowed eight earned runs over three-plus innings. Same deal. Something has to change. The Pirates are 5.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot in the NL and trending in the wrong direction. Jason Mackey breaks down the starting pitching, the offense and much more.

Brandon Lowe offered some important perspective after the Pirates' 5-2 loss to the Brewers on Thursday. What needs to happen for them against the Mets? Also, let's talk about playing better baseball, the offense and Braxton Ashcraft's start. What should we look for out of Carmen Mlodzinski's start on Friday? Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

Both the Pirates and Paul Skenes could use some positive momentum. They didn't get it Wednesday against the Brewers. What frustrated Skenes? Why did the Pirates have problems with Milwaukee starter Kyle Harrison? Before the game, the Pirates released Marcell Ozuna, and we found out Endy Rodriguez would catch Skenes rather than Henry Davis. Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

The Pirates lost, 4-2, to the Brewers on Tuesday. What's going on with the offense? Jared Jones was also frustrated with himself. Why? We breakdown that, as well as some individual performances that need to change soon. Jason Mackey also talks about the new guys and what they think of joining the Pirates.

The Pirates added right-handed relievers Luke Weaver, Kirby Yates and Lake Bachar at the trade deadline. What do they like about those guys and how do they fit? Also, Mitch Keller was lost for the season with a teres major muscle injury. Who takes his spot in the starting rotation? Lastly, the Pirates won a game over the Brewers in impressive fashion. Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

The Pirates dropped three of four in Cincinnati. On Sunday, Mitch Keller struggled a bunch. What went wrong? And what needs to change for the Pirates to snap out of this funk? They also made a trade Saturday, acquiring Camilo Doval from the Yankees for two prospects. Jason Mackey breaks all of that down in Monday's edition of the podcast.

The Reds were one run better than the Pirates on Thursday. There were mistakes, sure. But reality is that they've lost three in a row and eight of 13. This can't continue. Yohan Ramirez, Hunter Barco and Noah Murdock bent but didn't break. Brandon Lowe homered, and Nick Gonzales had two hits. Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

Jared Jones was once again very good, but the Pirates couldn't get the bats going against Eduardo Rodriguez. What has plagued them against left-handed starters? Plus, what's up with Seth Hernandez and Oneil Cruz? What about this stretch against teams .500 or better. Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

The Pirates lost to the Diamondbacks, 8-7, in 12 innings on Tuesday. However, if you take a big-picture view, there was actually more good than bad. They erased a six-run deficit. They did some damage to Arizona's bullpen, their big three are producing again, and the bullpen had a sneaky good performance. Jason Mackey works through the many storylines from a wild game.

Brandon Lowe delivered a walkoff single to help the Pirates beat the Diamondbacks on Monday at PNC Park. But the victory included much more than that. What stood out about Mitch Keller's start? Did the bullpen provide some sort of template? And what's the concern over Esmerlyn Valdez's injury? Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

The Pirates won an important game against the Cubs. How meaningful were home runs hit by Ryan O'Hearn and Shawn Ross? And what do they say about the team culture? Jason Mackey also breaks down the Derek Curiel signing and the Pirates' LSU connection before delving into general manager Ben Cherington's comments about the trade deadline.

In this Friday mailbag edition, readers ask whether the Pirates will add rentals, what goes into making pitching decisions, how the lineup looks when Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz come back and more. Jason Mackey also tackles questions on a Brandon Lowe extension and whether we'll see Khristian Curtis again.

Why did Pirates manager Don Kelly pull Bubba Chandler after 6 1/3 innings and 84 pitches on Wednesday? Also, what did we learn about the pitching staff during this most recent road trip? We examine those storylines, as well as some offensive trends on this episode of the Pirates Insider Podcast.

Mitch Keller makes his first start of the second half. What must change with him? And how can the rest of the starters lead the Pirates? We also look to the bullpen and some recent trends involving Wilber Dotel, Yohan Ramirez and Isaac Mattson. Bottom line, the Pirates need their pitchers to be what everyone thought they would be before the season. Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

Dennis Santana wasn't happy with Jose Caballero, but what about his season in a larger context? The Pirates need him to figure it out now. Why did Braxton Ashcraft struggle and are there concerns there? Esmerlyn Valdez also keeps homering, and Wilber Dotel had another promising outing in relief. Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

Paul Skenes continued to look like Paul Skenes. Meanwhile, should we just call this the Billy Cook Game? Esmerlyn Valdez homered again amid his breakout rookie campaign, while Ben Cherington addressed what could happen with the bullpen on the Pirates Insider Show. Jason Mackey breaks it all down right here.

The turnaround enjoyed by the Pirates offense has been impressive. What has keyed it? And how stark have the differences been? Jason Mackey breaks down that, as well as some incredible individual player changes that we've seen.

Will the Pirates add at the trade deadline? Does Seth Hernandez have a chance of making a September cameo? What happens when Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz return? Jason Mackey answers fans' questions in this edition of the Pirates Insider Podcast.