The Pirates let another winnable game slip away Wednesday night, falling 5-4 to the Giants in 10 innings. Alex Stumpf looks at Carmen Mlodzinski’s three perfect innings, the decision to turn to Camilo Doval in extras and all of the smaller mistakes that helped sink Pittsburgh.

With the Pirates now 68-72 and running out of time to make anything of their postseason hopes, Alex explains why this season hasn’t been defined by one bad decision. It’s been “a thousand little paper cuts” from a talented team that has continued to underachieve.

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The Pirates had chance after chance to win this game and simply couldn’t finish the job.

Pittsburgh battled back from a 3-1 deficit to force extra innings, but a costly defensive mistake, another rough night with runners in scoring position and two Giants runs against Camilo Doval in the 10th proved too much in a 5-4 loss.

Jim and Neil break down Bubba Chandler’s start, the Pirates going 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position through nine innings, Oneil Cruz continuing to produce since returning from the IL, Carmen Mlodzinski throwing three perfect innings out of the bullpen and Don Kelly’s decision to turn to Doval in the 10th.

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The Pirates somehow survived one of the wildest games of the season, beating the Giants 13-12 after scoring nine runs in an inning and later blowing a six-run lead.

Alex Stumpf explains why, despite the win, Tuesday's game felt like a perfect representation of why the Pirates are barely hanging onto postseason hopes. Paul Skenes couldn't finish five innings, the pitching staff walked eight, the bullpen nearly gave the game away and Pittsburgh once again showed why it hasn't been able to put together a sustained run this season.

Plus, Alex looks at the Pirates' 6-13 record over Skenes' last 19 starts and why a talented team has failed to turn that talent into meaningful October baseball.

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What the hell was that?

The Pirates scored nine runs in the third inning, built an 11-5 lead, watched the Giants completely erase it and somehow still walked away with a 13-12 win at PNC Park.

Tyler and Neil break down one of the wildest games of the season, including a rough night for Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh’s ridiculous offensive explosion, another bullpen collapse and the bizarre ninth inning that finally ended it.

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The Pirates’ playoff odds may be nearly gone, but September is far from meaningless.

Alex Stumpf breaks down five things that still matter over the final month of the season, including what Camilo Doval can prove before an offseason decision, Konnor Griffin’s return, Braxton Ashcraft’s workload, whether Paul Skenes can finish looking like himself again, and the biggest question of all: what exactly can the Pirates count on from this offense heading into 2027?

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September is arriving, and while the Pirates sit at 67-71, there are still plenty of reasons to pay attention over the final month.

Jim and DiNardo discuss what they want to see from the organization in September, which players deserve opportunities with expanded rosters, and what answers the Pirates still need on players like Hunter Barco, Thomas Harrington, Camilo Doval and Rafael Flores.

Plus, Konnor Griffin has begun his rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona and is eligible to return September 4. What should we expect when Griffin returns, how does he change this lineup, and why is getting him meaningful MLB playing time before the offseason so important?

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Mason Montgomery has quietly become one of the Pirates’ most dominant relievers, and Alex Stumpf thinks it might be time to stop dancing around the obvious question: should Montgomery just be the closer?

After another scoreless appearance Sunday, Montgomery has now gone all of August without allowing a run while piling up strikeouts and saves. Alex breaks down the sinker that has helped change Montgomery’s season, why his success shouldn’t be dismissed as matchup-dependent, and why the Pirates should use September to see if they already have their ninth-inning answer for 2027.

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The Pirates held on for a 5-4 win over the Cardinals to take another road series, with Braxton Ashcraft capping off a stellar month of August.

Jim and Doug break down another strong outing from Ashcraft, Esmerlyn Valdez going deep against a lefty, Oneil Cruz creating havoc on the bases, Brandon Lowe continuing his huge season and Mason Montgomery slamming the door in the ninth. They also discuss Don Kelly's bullpen management after Camilo Doval nearly let a three-run lead disappear.

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The Pirates got some much-needed offense Saturday as Brandon Lowe and Rafael Flores each went deep in a 6-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Tyler and Doug break down Lowe's outstanding season, why Flores needs to be playing every day down the stretch, and a bullpen that has suddenly become a legitimate strength. But even in a win, the Pirates continued to show the sloppy defense, poor baserunning and fundamental mistakes that have plagued them throughout the season.

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Pirates second-round pick Chris Rembert has gotten his professional career underway in Bradenton, and there is already plenty to dig into.

Jim and Anthony Murphy break down Rembert’s impressive bat speed, advanced approach and ability to make contact while examining the biggest question in his profile: where does the power come from? They also discuss his opposite-field approach, early success on the bases, defensive outlook at second base and what the Pirates could try to unlock as he develops.

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