Locked On Pirates - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Pirates

Atlanta Braves sweep Pittsburgh Pirates with relentless execution—can the Pirates ever close the gap? Gary Morgan breaks down how the Braves’ elite lineup punished every Pirates mistake, from Mitch Keller’s struggles to Michael Harris II’s decisive pinch-hit double, exposing Pittsburgh’s razor-thin margin for error against the National League’s best.

Roster shake-ups continue to impact the Pirates, with Brandon Lowe and Oneil Cruz battling injuries and Bubba Chandler’s performance proving both promising and perplexing. Morgan examines the rationale behind recent call-ups and demotions, discusses the financial constraints driving Ben Cherington’s moves, and answers fan questions on prospects like Antoine Kelly and Lonnie White Jr. As the playoff race heats up, can the Pirates develop the discipline and depth to compete with MLB’s powerhouses?

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Nathan breaks down the finale of the three-game series between the Pirates and Braves. Mason Montgomery opened the game and Bubba Chandler followed. However, the Braves were able to plate 3 in the 7th inning. The offense had multiple opportunities to score more but couldn't make things happen. The Pirates will head back to PNC Park to welcome the back-to-back World Series Champion Dodgers.

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Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft had his worst start of the season, allowing six runs as the Pirates lost their second consecutive game to the Braves 6-3. The Pirates trailed 3-0 early in this one, but the offense battled back to tie it at 3-3, but Ashcraft wasn’t able to hold the tie game as he gave up a 3-run home run to Dominic Smith. Nick Gonzales went 2-for-4 with a run scored and RBI. Brandon Lowe left the game in the 9th inning after fouling a pitch off his knee and needed help off the field. 

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Nathan breaks down game one of the series between the Pirates and Braves. Pirates starter Mitch Keller struggles in the game, only managing 4.2 innings of work while allowing 6 runs. The Pirates offense put up 3 runs in the 3rd inning but was quiet the rest of the game. The Pirates will look to bounce back in game two tomorrow.

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Pittsburgh Pirates answer a crushing bullpen collapse with a statement series win over the Houston Astros. Can this resilient squad transform power surges into playoff contention? Gary Morgan breaks down Jared Jones’ dominant return, Ryan O’Hearn’s clutch home run, and Bryan Reynolds’ consistent hitting, spotlighting how the Pirates’ layered offense and rotation depth are redefining expectations in the National League.

Key topics include the impact of 74 home runs before June 4th, comparisons to the 1999 "Bomba Squad," and the critical role of bullpen management with arms like Mason Montgomery and Gregory Soto. Gary Morgan discusses the evolving catcher situation between Endy Rodriguez and Henry Davis, recent cash-for-reliever trades, and how the franchise balances power and pitching to shake off past disappointments. Can the Pirates’ newfound balance withstand upcoming tests against contenders like the Atlanta Braves?

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The Pirates bounced back as Jared Jones tossed five scoreless innings and Ryan O’Hearn homered to defeat the Astros 5-1 and win the series in Houston. O’Hearn drove in the first run of the game in the 1st inning to give the Bucs an early 1-0 lead and he finished with two hits and three RBIs. Carmen Mlodzinski came in after Jones went five and shut the door down with four innings and one run allowed for the save.

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Nathan breaks down game two of the series between the Pirates and Astros. The Pirates bullpen blew it in Houston in the bottom of the 8th. Henry Davis and Nick Gonzales both homered in the loss. The Pirates will look to win the series tomorrow.

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Pittsburgh Pirates fans finally have a real reason to fill out their MLB All-Star ballots with pride. Could a new era of legit All-Star representation be dawning in Pittsburgh? Gary Morgan highlights Spencer Horwitz’s breakout season, Brandon Lowe’s dominance at second base, and Nick Gonzales’ case for third—each making a surprising push against big names like Freddie Freeman and Matt Olson.

The discussion breaks down the Pirates’ strongest All-Star contenders across the National League ballot, weighing the impact of stats, fan voting quirks, and name recognition. On the pitching side, Paul Skenes looks like a lock, while Braxton Ashcraft, Gregory Soto, and Evan Sisk quietly build their resumes. With multiple Pirates in the running—not just the token representative—this All-Star season feels different. Can Pittsburgh send a true squad to Philadelphia? Find out how this year’s ballot is all about legitimacy, not just loyalty.

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Pittsburgh Pirates crush Houston Astros with a 10-run outburst, but bullpen woes refuse to fade. Can the Bucs maintain their playoff momentum with an inconsistent relief corps? Gary Morgan spotlights Bubba Chandler’s growth, Wilbur Dotel’s breakout, and Dennis Santana’s struggles, questioning if this pitching mix can hold under pressure.

Key topics include the Pirates’ offensive upside with Bryan Reynolds and Spencer Horwitz, strategic concerns around trade deadline inactivity, Paul Skenes’ search for dominance, and the fierce NL Central race. Gary Morgan weighs the top five reasons for optimism and doubt in the Pirates’ playoff push, raising the stakes for the season ahead. Can the bullpen stabilize, or will internal growth and lineup depth power the Pirates into October?

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The Pirates rallied for two early deficits to come back and rip the Astros 10-4 in the first game of the series. Oneil Cruz hit a massive three-run homer in the 6th inning that flipped the script and gave the Pirates a lead  where they never looked back. Brandon Lowe and Endy Rodriguez also homered in this one. Bubba Chandler started and struggled at times, but got through five innings and took the win.

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