Episode 31 is packed with instant reactions to the Pittsburgh Steelers' impressive preseason opening victory! Joe and Justin analyze the entire quarterback room as Drew Allar, Will Howard, and Mason Rudolph all put together strong drives in Mike McCarthy's new offense. We break down stock up performances from rookies Germie Bernard, Kaden Wetjen, Gabriel Rubio, and Riley Nowakowski, while examining stock down worries for Troy Fautanu and Caleb Johnson. We also react to Keanu Benton securing a long-term contract extension.

Then, the guys turn to baseball to discuss the Pirates' second-half slump and examine whether Team President Travis Williams must move on from GM Ben Cherington and manager Don Kelly. Over in hockey, we react to Kyle Dubas making a massive gamble by signing forward Ville Koivunen to an 8-year extension, before wrapping up with Pat Narduzzi's comments on bringing back the Pitt vs. Penn State rivalry.

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Episode Chapters:(00:00) - Preseason Opener & Steelers QB Surge(03:24) - Mike McCarthy's Offense & Ecosystem Upgrade(11:36) - Stock Up: Germie Bernard, Kaden Wetjen, & Rookie Hits(18:35) - Stock Down: Caleb Johnson & Troy Fautanu Concerns(24:00) - Keanu Benton Signs Extension & Draft Class Depth(26:50) - Pirates Collapse: Is Ben Cherington's Time Up?(35:20) - Penguins Shock: Ville Koivunen's 8-Year Contract Extension(41:25) - Pat Narduzzi, Pitt vs. Penn State, & Rivalry Realignment

Welcome back to episode 30 of Out of Town Yinzers! Joe and Justin are back as training camp officially kicks off in Latrobe and the Pittsburgh sports calendar shifts into football mode. We are closing in on 100 subscribers on YouTube and pushing for 1,000 on Facebook, so make sure to hit that subscribe button!

In this episode, we dive into the Steelers' first official 2-deep depth chart. We discuss Roman Wilson taking early slot reps, Broderick Jones' backup status on the left side, Max Iheanachor making noise at right tackle behind Dylan Cook, and Yahya Black taking over at nose tackle while Keeanu Benton slides to end. We also take a hard look at the thin secondary with Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey currently sidelined, and how the backfield touches between Jalen Warren and Rico Dowdle might play out.

Then, we write the obituary for the 2026 Pirates season. With the starting rotation collapsing in July and Paul Skenes struggling through a rough stretch, we break down what went wrong and whether injury concerns are at play. Finally, we wrap up with early Pitt football camp buzz, highlighting quarterback Mason Heinschel's development and receiver Malik Knight's rising stock.

Timestamps:

• 01:23 – Steelers First 2-Deep Released: Initial Takeaways & QB Hierarchy

• 03:06 – Wide Receiver Depth: Roman Wilson taking slot reps

• 04:33 – Offensive Line Surprises: Broderick Jones, Dylan Cook & Max Iheanachor

• 05:10 – Defensive Shifts: Yahya Black at Nose, Keeanu Benton, & Thin Secondary Depth

• 09:40 – Running Back Room: Jalen Warren vs. Rico Dowdle

• 12:39 – Pirates Season Obituary: Post-All-Star Slump & Playoff Hopes

• 14:43 – Paul Skenes' Red Flags: Velocity Drops & Recent Struggles

• 24:44 – Pitt Football Camp Update: Mason Heinschel & Malik Knight Buzz

Episode 29 is loaded with deep dives into all four major Pittsburgh storylines!

Joe and Justin evaluate the Pirates' trade deadline moves (Luke Weaver, cash considerations) and address the concerning data around Paul Skenes' declining velocity.

Then, the guys head over to Steelers training camp to identify which players are thriving under the new coaching staff, who faces a tough battle for touches or roster spots, and which dark horses are turning heads early.

Finally, they react to Tommy Novak’s extension with the Pens, dissect Pitt’s ACC standings and key matchup at Virginia Tech, and break down the latest Desmond Reid legal plot twist.

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Episode Chapters:(00:00) - Intro: Pirates Rollercoaster Season(03:48) - Skenes Velocity Trend & Trade Deadline Assessment(08:18) - Rotation Dynamics: Mlodzinski In, Keller Out(13:19) - Steelers Camp: Who Thrives Under the New Staff?(16:44) - Steelers Players Battling Uphill(20:12) - Camp Standouts & Drew Aller Buzz(23:57) - Pens Quick Hit: Tommy Novak Extended(25:40) - Pitt Football ACC Rankings & Miami Championship Opponents(30:35) - The Season-Defining Game: Pitt at Virginia Tech

Welcome back to Out of Town Yinzers!

Will the Front Office make a big splash for bullpen help, or will sky-high asking prices push them toward smaller moves? We review potential trade chips (Sammy Stafura, Wyatt Sanford, Axiel Plaz), untouchable top prospects (Seth Hernandez, Murph Gray, Merlin Florentino), and how incoming reinforcements like Endy Rodríguez, Spencer Horwitz, and Oneil Cruz can jumpstart the lineup.

Next, with Steelers training camp underway, we break down fantasy football ADPs across the offensive roster. Are Aaron Rodgers, Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Pat Freiermuth, DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., and rookie Germie Bernard values or fades in Mike McCarthy's new offense?

To wrap things up, we start looking ahead to college football season with a spotlight on two Pitt Panthers position groups: the re-tooled running back unit (Ja'Corey Turner, Damon Ferguson) and Pat Narduzzi's dominant defensive line front (Jimmy Scott, Isaiah Neal).

If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to Follow and leave us a 5-star rating on Spotify!

Episode Chapters:(00:27) - Intro & Pirates Trade Deadline Strategy(03:05) - Reliever Market vs. Untouchable Prospects (Hernandez, Gray, Florentino)(10:45) - Pirates' Left-Handed Starter Splits & Returning Hitting Reinforcements(16:05) - Steelers Fantasy Football ADP: Buy or Sell?(22:00) - Backfield Split: Jaylen Warren & Rico Dowdle(26:40) - Pat Freiermuth & Wide Receiver Outlook (Metcalf, Pittman Jr., Bernard)(37:15) - Pitt Football Deep Dive: Running Backs & Defensive Front(44:20) - Outro & Wrap-Up

Welcome back to episode 28 of Out of Town Yinzers! Joe and Justin are back to talk all things Pittsburgh sports from afar. We're closing in on 100 subscribers on YouTube and 500 on Facebook, so be sure to hit that subscribe button!

In this episode, we tackle the massive storylines hitting Steelers training camp. We talk Joey Porter Jr.'s upcoming contract negotiations and how defensive coordinator Patrick Graham might utilize three edge rushers at once. Then, we dive into the surging Pirates! We discuss their playoff chances, potential bullpen trade deadline targets, and the historic start of Esmerlin Valdez. We also touch on the Penguins' offseason moves and Pitt football's ACC expectations before wrapping up with a classic baseball jersey draft.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Intro & Channel Milestones

• 01:02 - Steelers Defense: Joey Porter Jr. Contract Expectations

• 06:06 - Edge Rushers: Can Patrick Graham scheme Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig together?

• 10:23 - Inside Linebackers: Will this group hold the defense back?

• 13:47 - Pirates Trade Deadline: Adding bullpen arms & front office spending

• 20:11 - Pirates Playoff Odds & Expectations

• 23:47 - Grading the Pirates' First 100 Games

• 27:02 - Esmerlin Valdez's Historic Start

• 33:53 - Quick Hits: Penguins Offseason & Pitt Football ACC Media Day

• 41:26 - Nostalgia Draft: Best Baseball Jerseys

Joe and Justin are back for another episode of Out of Town Yinzers — two lifelong Pittsburghers now living out of town, still bleeding black and gold. This week they try to stay positive about the Pirates even as Konnor Griffin injury news breaks minutes before recording, then dig into an NFL roster ranking debate for the Steelers, a Penguins draft and free agency check-in, and Pitt football's biggest offensive storylines heading into camp.

IN THIS EPISODE:

PIRATES

- Konnor Griffin injury news breaks right before taping — the guys react to a potential month-long absence for one of their most exciting players

- The case for optimism: Pittsburgh has gone from 30th in runs scored last season to 3rd in baseball this year

- Why the bullpen, not the lineup, is the fix — and why a trade deadline addition feels likely

- The tough NL landscape and why the schedule eases up after the All-Star break

- MLB Draft preview: the Pirates pick 5th with four picks in the top 50 and the most bonus pool money in baseball — Vahn Lackey, Jackson Flora, and Eric Booth Jr. highlighted as names to watch

- How potential CBA changes could affect the way teams draft high schoolers going forward

STEELERS

- Reacting to an ESPN roster ranking that has Pittsburgh 19th overall — Joe argues the roster (outside of quarterback) stacks up with almost anyone in the league

- Position-by-position debate featuring DK Metcalf, Darnell Washington, and Zach Frazier as legitimate top-tier pieces

- How much the quarterback spot alone is dragging down the overall grade

- Training camp storylines to watch: the wide receiver room, the tackle competition, and the new-look offense under Mike McCarthy

PENGUINS

- A recap of the NHL Draft, including the Penguins landing twin prospects, and what it signals about the front office's draft philosophy

- Free agency so far: re-signing key young players and adding Andrei Kuzmenko rather than chasing big outside names

- A surprising trade that shook up the blue line, plus lingering trade rumors involving Edmonton

- Weighing whether Pittsburgh should get aggressive with an offer sheet, using the Flyers' pursuit of an Anaheim defenseman as the jumping-off point

PITT FOOTBALL

- Why the Kade Bell hire may have saved Pat Narduzzi's job, and what year three under him should reveal

- Quarterback development as the single biggest storyline of the season

- Question marks at wide receiver after losing key contributors, and which names could step up

- The offensive line as the swing factor for the whole offense

Like, subscribe, and help us reach our next subscriber milestone! New episode next week.

#Pirates #Steelers #Penguins #PittPanthers #Pittsburgh #MLB #NFL #NHL #CollegeFootball

Welcome back to Episode 26 of the Out of Town Yinzers podcast! Joe and Justin are back to talk Pittsburgh sports from afar. This week, the guys celebrate a massive surge from the Pirates heading into the All-Star break, break down recent trade and draft movements, preview the biggest upcoming Steelers training camp battles, and question if the Penguins are trapped in NHL purgatory.

• Pirates Hot Streak & Playoff Expectations: The Buccos went 4-2 over their last two series, including a dominant sweep of the Brewers. With the bats heating up, is it officially playoffs or bust?

• 07:15 – Futures Game & Trade/Draft Analysis: Discussing Seth Hernandez hitting 101 MPH in the Futures Game. Plus, an honest review of the Jacob Gonzalez trade and the selection of LSU outfielder Derek Curiel.

• 21:58 – Steelers Training Camp Battles: Sizing up the offense before camp kicks off. Who takes the Right Guard spot out of Spencer Anderson, Dunker, and Hoffman? Then, a deep dive into the WR3 battle—can Jeremy Bernard win Aaron Rodgers' trust early, or will veteran Ben Skowronek get the nod for Week 1?

• 31:29 – Penguins Roster Evaluation: Going line-by-line through the post-free-agency roster. The guys discuss a promising young goalie tandem but voice major concerns over a messy defensive rotation that feels stuck in neutral.

• 39:50 – Pitt Football & Backyard Brawl Trash Talk: Reacting to Pitt legend Larry Fitzgerald's hilariously out-of-character digs at West Virginia during his appearance on Pardon My Take.

• 42:44 – Nostalgia Lane (Favorite Road Stadiums): The guys share their favorite sports environments outside of Pittsburgh, including bucket-list experiences at Ohio State's Horseshoe, Michigan's Big House, old Yankee Stadium, and Notre Dame.

📢 Join the Community: If you're loving the show, please like, subscribe, and help push us past our goal of 100 subscribers! Drop your predictions for the Pirates' second half of the season in the comments below!

Welcome back to another episode of Out of Town Yinzers! This week, Joe and Justin navigate the summer lull in Pittsburgh sports by digging into the trenches of the front office, roster rankings, and pure local nostalgia.

From analyzing a heartbreaking stretch of Pirates baseball to ranking every single position group on defense across the AFC North, we leave no stone unturned. Plus, we look at the Penguins' massive $37M cap space flexibility, celebrate an old friend winning the Stanley Cup, and round things out with a definitive ranking of Kennywood's iconic roller coasters.

Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode! Drop your own AFC North defensive rankings in the comments below!

• 00:10 – Pirates Midway Breakdown & Bullpen Blues: Are the wheels falling off a .500 team? We react to historic, agonizing 9th-inning losses, Paul Skenes throwing gems without getting the run support, and why the bullpen desperately needs reinforcements before the All-Star break.

• 09:01 – Steelers Offseason & AFC North Defensive Rankings: Breaking down the fresh energy surrounding the Steelers' new-look coaching staff. We rank the entire division from top to bottom across every defensive level: Edge, Interior Defensive Line, Off-Ball Linebackers, and the Secondary.

• 23:55 – The Miles Garrett Blockbuster & Herbig’s Deal: Reacting to the massive news of Miles Garrett being traded to the Rams (and a potential Aaron Donald un-retirement?). Plus, our thoughts on Nick Herbig's massive new contract extension.

• 28:07 – Penguins Draft & Trade Rumors: With over $37 million in cap space and an incredibly weak free-agent class, is Kyle Dubas about to go "big game hunting" via trade? We discuss potential roster turnover, moving core pieces, and the Darnell Nurse rumors.

• 34:19 – Jordan Stahl Nostalgia & The Conn Smythe: Celebrating former Pen Jordan Stahl lifting the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes. We look back at his infamous wedding-day trade and how it secretly paved the way for Pittsburgh's back-to-back Cups years later.

• 40:36 – Pitt Athletics & The New NIL Era: Digging into the new JMI Sports initiative to streamline player payouts. Plus, we discuss why moving the West Virginia basketball game to PPG Paints Arena is a necessary economic evil in modern college sports.

• 45:15 – Nostalgia Segment: Kennywood Is Open! Wrapping up the show with a summer classic. We rank our favorite childhood rides—from the Racer and Thunderbolt to Noah's Ark and the Exterminator—and reminisce about the glorious days of packing full coolers into the park.

#PittsburghSports #Steelers #Pirates #Penguins #PittPanthers #AFCNorth #Kennywood

It might be the offseason for some, but the Pittsburgh sports landscape never rests! In this episode, Joe and Justin wrap their heads around a turbulent week for the Pirates, break down how the Steelers’ offense stacks up against the rest of the AFC North, check in on a thrilling baby Penguins playoff run, and discuss the latest roster shakeups and recruiting wins for Pitt basketball and football.

• The Atlanta Sweep: After a hot streak, reality hits hard with a sweep by the Braves and another brutal bullpen collapse.

• The Injury Bug: Deep concerns over Connor Griffin’s elbow specialist visit, alongside updates on Cruz and Lau.

• Cherington's Roster: Is Ben Cherington building a playoff contender or playing with a fundamentally flawed bullpen?

The guys go position-by-position to rank the Steelers' offense against their division rivals:

• Quarterbacks: Joe and Justin debate Burrow vs. Lamar at the top, leaving the Steelers in the tier below.

• Running Backs & Wide Receivers: Why the Steelers' depth puts them in a strong position, and whether the gap to Cincinnati's wideout room is closing.

• Tight Ends & O-Line: A look at Darnell Washington's unique role and contract extension, plus a breakdown of the massive investments made along the offensive line.

• The Baby Pens: Direct from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the young guys are making a deep Eastern Conference Finals run, giving the front office a great look at future cornerstones like goalie Sergei Murashov.

• The Dylan Larkin Hypothetical: What would it actually cost to bring high-end talent like Larkin to Pittsburgh?

• Basketball: AD Alan Green notes a massive, unexpected investment in the roster. With a near-total turnover, it's officially "Tournament or Bust" for Capel.

• Football: A massive June recruiting weekend brings in 12 commitments as Pitt expands its recruiting footprint deeper into Georgia.

Teaser for Next Time: Stay tuned until the end to hear about a future nostalgia segment where Joe claims Justin’s dad was ready to adopt him as the favorite son!

Don't forget to like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

Episode Breakdown🏴‍☠️ Pirates: Highs, Lows, and Health Woes🏈 Steelers: AFC North Offensive Position Rankings🐧 Penguins: AHL Playoff Run & Trade Rumors🡠 Pitt Panthers: New Eras & Recruiting Sprees

Welcome back to Out of Town Yinzers! This week, Joe and Justin are putting a final bow on the NFL draft with a deep dive into our AFC North division foes. Did the Browns, Bengals, and Ravens actually nail their picks?

Plus, we ride the rollercoaster of the Pirates' recent stretch. The bats might be hot and cold, but the starting pitching is legit. We break down why Braxton Ashcraft is arguably the most underrated pitcher in the majors right now, and how the rotation should look once Jared Jones returns to the big league club.

We also celebrate Geno Malkin's return to the Pens on an absolute bargain deal, tip our caps to Pitt Baseball's massive, dramatic walk-off home run, and play a fun hypothetical game: if the Pirates didn't exist, which AL and NL teams would we root for?

If you're enjoying the pod, please take a second to Follow and leave us a 5-star rating on Spotify! It helps us grow the show. We are taking next week off, but we'll see you in two weeks with more Pittsburgh sports talk.

Episode Chapters:

(00:10) - Intro & AFC North Draft Grades

(18:54) - The Pirates Rollercoaster & Underrated Pitching

(33:32) - Evgeni Malkin’s Bargain Extension with the Pens

(38:39) - Pitt Baseball’s Epic Walk-Off Homer

(43:55) - Hypothetical Fandom: Picking AL/NL Teams

(50:17) - Outro & Wrap-Up