Locked On Pirates - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates fall to the Cubs 3-2 in 10 innings after falling to record an extra base hit all game. Dansby Swanson laced an RBI single into center field where Ian Happ just beat the tag at the plate to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead in the top of the 10th inning. Jared Jones and Matthew Boyd were entrenched in a pitcher’s duel as Jones went six strong innings with just two hits allowed, one walk and five strikeouts. Henry Davis went 2-for-3 with an RBI infield single to score the Bucs first run. Pete-Crow Armstrong tied the game at one with his 22nd home run in the 6th inning.

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Pittsburgh Pirates eye playoff push as Esmerlyn Valdez emerges as a force and key lineup changes loom. Will rising stars and bold trade rumors propel the Bucs past the competition?

Gary Morgan answers a barrage of fan questions on Valdez’s plate discipline, concerns over Braxton Ashcraft’s innings management, and the slumping Brandon Lowe. The show tackles bullpen usage issues with Carmen Mlodzinski, the future of veterans like Marcel Ozuna, and the club’s trade deadline strategy—highlighting names like Mason Miller, Tarik Skubal, and A.J. Minter. Inside insights abound on the amateur draft haul, the loss of reliever Evan Sisk, and late-inning options for Justin Montgomery. Can the Pirates outmaneuver the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card race and find the right formula to stay competitive in the NL Central?

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Pittsburgh Pirates' playoff hopes hang in the balance as overmanagement overshadows stellar starts from Mitch Keller and Bubba Chandler. Why are aces being pulled early when the bullpen wobbles, and is the reliance on pregame plans costing vital wins? Gary Morgan questions the team's mentality and challenges Don Kelly’s approach, asking whether it’s time to trust talent instead of the spreadsheet.

The conversation dives into Keller and Chandler's standout outings against MLB powerhouses like the New York Yankees, emphasizing the need for the Pirates to shed their underdog mindset and compete as playoff contenders. Player fatigue, lineup adjustments, and the impact of injuries highlight the urgency for strategic changes as the Wild Card race intensifies. Can the Pirates stop leaving wins on the table and start managing for today, not tomorrow?

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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Nathan breaks down today's double header that wrapped up the series between the Pirates and Yankees. Bubba Chandler shined in game two, however the offense and Brandon Eisert not so much. In game one today, Mitch Keller had his best start in a while with 5 shutout innings, as the Pirates won in extras. The Bucs split the double header and drop the series to the Yankees. They will take a .500 road trip and will head back home to PNC Park to face the Cubs.

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Pittsburgh Pirates eye a playoff surge as the MLB trade deadline approaches—will Ben Cherington make the aggressive moves needed to fortify the roster? Gary Morgan spotlights pitching as the true x-factor, exploring targets like Robbie Ray, Kevin Gausman, Jose Soriano, and Freddy Peralta to boost October depth. He breaks down why outfield, first base, and third base aren’t urgent needs after recent additions, shifting the spotlight to the rotation and bullpen.

Key segments feature analysis of Luke Weaver, Andrew Kittredge, Daniel Lynch, Adrian Morejón, and AJ Minter as potential bullpen reinforcements. With injury risks looming and playoff ambitions rising, the Pirates’ margin for error tightens—can the front office secure the arms needed before August 3rd? Gary answers listener questions on Henry Davis’s defensive metrics, Esmerlyn Valdez’s breakout, and the polarizing roles of Billy Cook and Jake Mangum as the postseason chase heats up in Pittsburgh.

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Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft hits a rough patch as major league hitters figure him out—can he make the crucial adjustments before the season slips away? Meanwhile, rookie Esmerlyn Valdez launches a historic power surge, blasting 14 home runs in just 32 games and rapidly emerging as a top contender for National League Rookie of the Year.

Gary Morgan breaks down Ashcraft’s mechanical struggles, fatigue issues, and the league’s counterattack, raising critical questions about the Pirates’ pitching depth and the front office’s trade deadline strategy. The discussion spotlights Valdez’s game-changing at-bats, how his presence is reshaping Pittsburgh’s lineup, and evaluates whether Ben Cherington’s biggest mistake would be ignoring the pressing need for a veteran starter. Mailbag questions tackle bullpen roles, the impact of potential roster moves, and what it will take for the Pirates to turn this season’s promise into a postseason run.

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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Nathan breaks down game one of the series between the Pirates and Yankees. Bad defense, a bad Braxton Ashcraft start and a quiet offense after a quick comeback led to tonight's 8-5 loss at Yankee stadium. The Pirates will look to bounce back tomorrow night with Bubba Chandler on the hill.

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season. 

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season. 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Pittsburgh Pirates surge into the NL Wild Card race after a statement series win over the Cleveland Guardians—can Paul Skenes and Esmerlyn Valdez fuel a true playoff push? Gary Morgan breaks down how elite starting pitching, big bats from Valdez and Nick Gonzales, and a resilient mindset put the Bucs directly into postseason position.

Key questions swirl around a struggling bullpen—will Gregory Soto and Dennis Santana be enough, or is it time to overhaul the relief strategy? With the MLB trade deadline looming, Gary Morgan covers which prospects are truly untouchable, clarifies the reality of the Pirates' payroll stance, and explores realistic trade targets who could solidify the club’s playoff credentials. Don’t miss this bold, honest analysis of the Pirates’ playoff charge and what must happen to keep October baseball in sight.

Everydayer Club

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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Billy Cook went 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs and Paul Skenes goes 7 innings as the Pirates win 7-1 and take the series over the Guardians in Cleveland. Cook did it with the defense and offense today as he had an outfield assist to nail the runner at home and had a triple, scored two runs and drove in two. Skenes scattered seven hits across seven innings and struck out eight in the win. Esmerlyn Valdez belted his 12th home run late in the game to put the Pirates up 7-1.

Everydayer Club

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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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The Pirates had a chance at a doubleheader sweep, but the bullpen blew a 3-0 lead to lose game two 5-3 and end up splitting the twin bill with the Guardians. The Pirates won game 1 earlier on Saturday afternoon 7-1 as Jared Jones struck out 9 in five innings and Esmerlyn Valdez, Nick Gonzales and Jacob Gonzalez all belted home runs for the Bucs. The Pirates move to 51-48 and will have a rubber match with the Guardians Sunday afternoon.

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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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