In our daily Wake-Up Call, we get you ready for the day with a complete look at all things Pittsburgh Pirates.
19 and Counting
After allowing yet another home run last night, Pittsburgh Pirates SP Jon Niese has now given up 19 round-trippers on the season.
Never mistaken for a strikeout pitcher, Niese has not shown any form of deception over his time with the club. He has had single-digit swinging strikes in 13 straight starts; three in yesterday’s game.
We’ve previously wondered out loud if Niese will be back with the team in 2017. Even considering the market rate for left-handed starting pitching, the former New York Met is hurting the team with his inability to keep the ball in the ballpark. This version of the Pittsburgh Pirates cannot withstand epic swings in scoring that home runs bring about.
Taillon Faces Tough Test
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie SP Jameson Taillon will face his first American League team tonight, thus facing a Designated Hitter for the first time as a pro.
The Mariners rank third in all of baseball with 113 home runs. They have a strikeout rate of 19.7 percent, good for eighth best in baseball overall. After coming off of two straight four inning outings, Taillon will need to embrace the pitch-to-contact philosophy and trust the defense behind him.
If he doesn’t, well, we saw last night how this Mariners team can change the game with one swing.
The Pirates Breakdown Podcast Rides Again
Yesterday the gang got together and recorded a lively episode of our podcast. Give it a listen here:
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/271389007″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]We recommend subscribing to our show to receive the latest episode automatically. This is the preferred method to listen to our madness. Here’s how:
On an iPhone or iPad: Reading this on an IOS device? Then simply open up the Podcasts app that Apple pushes by default to all iOS devices, search for us, and click subscribe. It truly is that easy! Oh, you want it to be easier? Okay – just CLICK HERE.
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On a desktop: You can listen a la carte over at our Soundcloud page or subscribe in iTunes. Just click that link or go to the iTunes store and search for us and hit subscribe. While there, why not leave us a review?
Yesterday’s Player of the Game
Because yesterday’s game ran late, we put out our customary twitter POTG poll this morning. Feel free to follow us on twitter and vote!
Who is your Player of the Game from last night's 5-2 loss?
— Jason Rollison (@jrollisonpgh) June 29, 2016
Baseball Talk from Around the Web
- Jerry Crasnick of ESPN listed five young players who have gone through growing pains but are finally blossoming. Hint: one Pirate makes the list.
- The CBS Sports team lists eight players that they believe should be in the home run derby. Do any Pirates make their list…?
- Widely regarded as the #1 prospect in all of baseball, Washington Nationals pitcher Lucas Giolito made his debut last night. The WaPo is all over it.
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