Locked On Pirates - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates walked it off in the bottom of the 9th inning on an error to defeat the Giants 13-12 in a wild affair for their third straight victory. The Bucs exploded for nine runs in the 3rd inning to take a commanding lead that the bullpen could not hold. Trailing 5-2, the Pirates sent 16 batters to the plate and scored nine times on nine singles. Brandon Lowe belted his 29th home run of the season late in the game. Paul Skenes started, but failed to go five innings for the win as he gave up five earned runs for another subpar start.

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Pittsburgh Pirates face a franchise-defining decision: will Brandon Lowe return after another standout season at second base? With Lowe crushing 28 home runs and posting elite defensive metrics in 2026, Gary Morgan explores why letting him walk could set the team back—and what it would take to fill the void. Can Nick Gonzales or anyone else step up, or must the Pirates break with tradition to lock in their power-hitting infielder for 2027 and beyond?

Gary Morgan scrutinizes the Pirates’ offensive struggles, challenging the narrative that strikeouts alone are their undoing. Power hitting from stars like Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds has masked deeper issues with situational hitting and run manufacturing. As crucial games against the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels loom, can the Pirates’ roster tweaks and a possible Konnor Griffin boost spark a late-season surge? The postseason hopes may hinge on answers this week.

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Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

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College football Saturdays are already packed with reasons to get excited, and this season, FanDuel is giving fans even more ways to get in on every matchup. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM 

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Pittsburgh Pirates’ playoff hopes hinge on the long ball—can their power-first identity carry them forward, or will offensive inconsistency hold them back? Gary Morgan breaks down the Pirates’ striking reliance on home runs, revealing how their win-loss record shifts dramatically depending on their slugging. Key analysis spotlights the struggles against left-handed pitching, why small-ball hasn’t emerged despite team speed, and how organizational hitting philosophy may be stifling situational offense.

The conversation shifts to Spencer Horwitz’s tough return from the IL, dissecting the impact of his hamstring injury on his swing mechanics and future role in the lineup. Fan questions fuel deeper discussion on Konnor Griffin’s recovery, Jared Triolo’s late-season surge, and the long-term outlook for prospects like Termarr Johnson. Can the Pirates transform patience and athleticism into a more dynamic offense, or will their power dependence define their 2027 trajectory?

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The Pirates’ power showed up in this one as Esmerlyn Valdez hit his 16th homer of the season and Jared Triolo also went deep to lead the Bucs to a 5-4 win over the Cardinals. With the win, the Pirates finish the road trip 4-5. Braxton Ashcraft goes five innings with two runs allowed to move to 14-5 this season. This was the Pirates second straight series win on the road after being swept by the Dodgers to start the roadtrip.

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Nathan breaks down game two of the series between the Pirates and Cardinals. Brnadon Lowe and Rafael Flores Jr would both hit homers. Lowe would hit a solo shot, and Flores Jr would add a 3-run shot to help power the Pirates offense today. In the 6th inning the defensive woes for the Pirates would continue. Jacob Gonzalez would commit errors on back-to-back plays, and then Oneil Cruz would follow with another one in center field. A mixture of Pirates relievers would take the ball for the Pirates today. The series will come down to tomorrow's matchup.

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Nathan breaks down game one of the series between the Pirates and Cardinals. The Cardinals were able to get to Jared Jones tonight as Jones would allow 3 runs over 4.2 innings of work. The Pirates offense was yet again quiet in tonight's loss. We also discuss a play that happened in tonight's game that perfectly sums up the 2026 Pirates.

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St. Louis Cardinals exceed preseason expectations while Pittsburgh Pirates face another potential losing season—do offseason promises really matter once the grind begins? Gary Morgan compares the Cardinals’ strategic flexibility with the Pirates’ unwavering playoff push, questioning the impact of front-office statements when reality hits the diamond.

Key highlights include Konnor Griffin’s breakout at shortstop, the evolving roles of Jared Triolo and Nick Gonzales, and the challenge of solidifying the Pirates’ infield defense. Gary Morgan scrutinizes Ben Charrington’s tenure as Pirates general manager: has Pittsburgh truly built a sustainable talent pipeline, or are major league wins still out of reach? The episode breaks down how franchise philosophies, prospect success, and ownership decisions shape both immediate results and the long-term future for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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Pittsburgh Pirates fans get a glimmer of hope as Paul Skenes looks like an ace again against the San Diego Padres. Has Skenes finally turned the corner with his mechanics, and what does this mean for the Pirates’ future? Gary Morgan breaks down Skenes’ dominant outing, compares his journey to MLB standouts like Zack Wheeler, and questions whether the team relies too heavily on their pitching staff to stay competitive.

The spotlight shifts to the Pirates’ ongoing struggles with runners in scoring position, despite offensive improvements from Nick Gonzalez, Brandon Lau, and Ryan O’Hearn. Critical moments, missed opportunities, and calls for a revamped situational hitting approach spark debate about the team’s mindset and playoff aspirations. Listener questions tackle O’Neil Cruz’s progress in center field, Bubba Chandler’s emergence, potential trade scenarios, and the latest on Endy Rodriguez’s injury woes. Can the Pirates fix these issues and build a contender for 2027?

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Nathan breaks down the series finale between the Pirates and Padres. The Pirates offense continued their struggles with runners in scoring position in today's game three loss. The Pirates still managed to take a series against the Padres for the first time since 2023, however. Bubba Chandler pitched solid enough to give the offense the chance to take a lead. He went 5.2 innings, struck out 3 and allowed 4 hits. Chandler would walk 2 but only allow 1 run as the 2nd came in after a Nick Gonzales error. The Pirates will have an off day tomorrow before they head to St. Louis to face the Cardinals for a 3-game series.

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Pittsburgh Pirates’ high-strikeout pitching staff falters as defensive lapses and bullpen instability fuel a 2026 regression. Can talent alone carry a team when run prevention suffers? Gary Morgan spotlights Paul Skenes, Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler, and Mitch Keller’s development—highlighting the volatility when young arms face Major League pressure and the defense fails to turn routine plays.

The catcher debate heats up as Henry Davis, Endy Rodriguez, Rafael Flores, and Joey Bart jockey for position behind the plate. Which backstop can provide the right blend of power, consistency, and defensive reliability to steady the Pirates’ rotation? Discussions touch on the pressing need for a veteran backup, fan frustrations with manager moves, and whether ownership changes could spark a new era. With key positions still in flux, the road to 2027 remains loaded with questions for the Pirates faithful.

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