Locked On Pirates - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Pirates

Nathan breaks down game two of the series between the Pirates and Tigers. Braxton Ashcraft for the second straight outing was as efficient as ever. Ashcraft would get through 8 innings of work while only allowing 1 run and throwing only 80 pitches. Oneil Cruz in his return to the lineup hit his first Cruz Missile since his injury that took him out for 2 months of action. The Pirates will look to take the series against the Tigers tomorrow afternoon.

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Pittsburgh Pirates’ stubborn stance on Carmen Mlodzinski’s role could be costing them wins. Will clinging to failed experiments and questionable game management derail their playoff ambitions?

Gary Morgan breaks down why the Pirates must end the Carmen Mlodzinski starting pitcher experiment—pointing to alarming ERA numbers, bullpen strain, and smarter alternatives like Lake Bacar. The analysis spotlights recent pinch-hitting blunders, and challenges rigid lefty-righty matchups that keep Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz out of key moments. Key topics include the Pirates’ stalled roster development, the need for an outside starter, and the danger of always focusing on tomorrow instead of winning today. Are the Pirates ready to make the tough decisions, or will indecision keep them from postseason relevance?

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Nathan breaks down game one of the series between the Pirates and Tigers. In Carmen Mlodzinski's 3rd straight start, he continued to struggle. Mlodzinski would allow 4 runs in 3 innings of work. The offense would try to battle back from an 8-1 deficit, but the hole was too large to dig out of. The Pirates will look to bounce back in game two tomorrow.

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Pittsburgh Pirates finally embrace midseason adjustments as fresh lineup ideas and bold roster shuffling spark optimism. Can reimagined batting order combinations help unlock Brandon Lowe and Bryan Reynolds’ full offensive power, or will streaky production continue to haunt this lineup?

Gary Morgan examines the Pirates' evolving game plan, from Esmerlyn Valdez cracking the top of the order to the organization’s newfound willingness to experiment. Key topics include Paul Skenes and Braxton Ashcraft managing pitching workloads, the team’s aggressive player evaluations following a flurry of call-ups from Indianapolis, and the critical roles of Oneil Cruz and Konnor Griffin in the club’s future plans. With the front office actively seeking answers on who can contribute long term, is this the foundation for a competitive 2027 Pirates team—or just more growing pains?

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The Pirates managed a successful bullpen game, ripped a lefty starter and navigated a two hour and 34 minute rain relay to defeat the Red Sox 8-3 for a series win. Lake Bachar started the bullpen game and fired three scoreless innings with four strikeouts. The offense scored seven off Boston starter Patrick Sandoval in the first three innings, including a five spot in the 3rd. Bryan Reynolds and Brandon Lowe each had two hits and two RBIs.

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Nathan breaks down game two of the series between the Pirates and Red Sox. Jared Jones had an overall solid day on the mound. Jones would throw 5 innings, allow one run on four hits. He would also strike out seven and walk two. The Pirates offense was silent in the loss. The Pirates will look to avoid losing eight series in a row tomorrow.

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The Pirates belted two home runs to power their way past the Red Sox 8-4 for their second straight win. Brandon Lowe hit a huge 3-run home run for his 26th blast of the year and Rafael Flores stayed hot with three hits including his 4th home run. Bubba Chandler went five strong innings allowing two runs with five strikeouts.

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Pittsburgh Pirates fans witnessed history as Braxton Ashcraft threw a 3-hit complete game against the Miami Marlins, racking up 10 strikeouts on just 85 pitches—a feat unseen in MLB since 2000. Can Ashcraft’s efficient dominance signal a turning point for the Pirates in a challenging stretch? Gary Morgan spotlights Ashcraft’s relentless command, the blown-out victories amid a tough season, and what it means for Pittsburgh’s evolving rotation and young pitching core.

Major League Baseball’s proposed salary cap and floor take center stage, with Gary Morgan dissecting how this radical shift could reshape small-market franchises like the Pirates. Listener AMA questions spark fiery debate over Bob Nutting’s ownership, locker room leadership following the departure of Marcell Ozuna, and the franchise's future direction. Locked On Pirates delivers sharp analysis and hard truths about the road ahead for Pittsburgh baseball.

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The Pirates snapped their 3-game losing streak with an 13-1 victory as Braxton Ashcraft dominated the Marlins with a complete game. Ashcraft struck out 10 Marlins with just one run allowed and did it all on just 85 pitches. Jake Mangum started the scoring off with a triple and scored on a balk. He finished with a triple, double and a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch. Jared Triolo had three RBIs and hit his second home run of the season. Rafael Flores added a couple 3-run blasts late to make it 13-0 Bucs.

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Pittsburgh Pirates fans confront another season of frustration as organizational missteps linger—are the real problems being addressed, or just masked by roster changes? Gary Morgan explores the infamous "wiener dog under the couch" analogy, asking if the Pirates know which players truly need to go, and examines the stalled development of promising talents like Esmerlyn Valdez and Paul Skenes. The discussion spotlights recurring offensive struggles, questionable coaching under Derek Shelton and Don Kelly, and why performance keeps missing the team’s actual talent level.

Key topics include Endy Rodriguez’s injury woes and role uncertainty, persistent late-season fatigue despite advanced conditioning, and whether ownership under Bob Nutting will ever support a salary cap that could reshape MLB’s financial landscape. As attendance falters and fans wonder about the team’s direction, Gary Morgan breaks down potential future moves, trade decisions, and the ongoing struggle to escape mediocrity at PNC Park.

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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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