Paul Skenes set to make his first start since the All Star Game tonight against the Cardinals. The first time he will toe the rubber for the Pirates since his 7 no-hit innings in Milwaukee. If the Pirates were to make the playoffs, how would they structure their rotation? Tonight’s game is looking like another big crowd – the Pirates are playing well, but it’s hard to deny the Skenes factor. The guys are projecting 25-30k on a Tuesday night. What kind of spectacle is it to see Skenes in person? The energy around Skenes is hard to feel if you are not in the building. Can he win the Cy Young as a rookie?

Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown joined the show. No Ke’Bryan Hayes in the lineup tonight as he has been struggling – does he love being a Pirate? Greg doesn’t think he’s unhappy about anything other than not contributing. How tough are the back issues Hayes has been dealing with? Greg preached patience with a player like Hayes and isn’t ready to give up on his offensive ability. How good has Luis Ortiz been? Greg reacted to some insider nuggets on what the Pirates could do next week at the trade deadline. Greg thinks Ben Cherington should be open to doing anything that will improve the team right now. The guys made Greg go through some hypothetical trades. Greg expects the Pirates to have made a trade by this time next week.

A big crowd is expected tonight at PNC Park and we can likely thank Paul Skenes for that. What should the Pirates do with Henry Davis? Should the Pirates use him as a trade chip? If they are thinking about the future and not just this year, would it make sense to cut bait with a former 1-1 player? If the Pirates do make a move, what kind of name are we expecting?

Donny Football Debrief – A documentary on the way for Steve McNair and the chaos around the end of his life.

A big crowd is expected tonight at PNC Park and we can likely thank Paul Skenes for that. What should the Pirates do with Henry Davis? Should the Pirates use him as a trade chip? If they are thinking about the future and not just this year, would it make sense to cut bait with a former 1-1 player? If the Pirates do make a move, what kind of name are we expecting?

Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown joined the show. No Ke’Bryan Hayes in the lineup tonight as he has been struggling – does he love being a Pirate? Greg doesn’t think he’s unhappy about anything other than not contributing. How tough are the back issues Hayes has been dealing with? Greg preached patience with a player like Hayes and isn’t ready to give up on his offensive ability. How good has Luis Ortiz been? Greg reacted to some insider nuggets on what the Pirates could do next week at the trade deadline. Greg thinks Ben Cherington should be open to doing anything that will improve the team right now. The guys made Greg go through some hypothetical trades. Greg expects the Pirates to have made a trade by this time next week.

One of baseball’s top insiders thinks the Pirates could do a whole lot of subtracting at the deadline despite going at it as a buyer. If this is their trade deadline approach, Poni said this organization is lost. What do some other MLB scribes think the Pirates will do in about a week? Do you want to see the Pirates go more all in or just add a bat?

Pirates analyst Matt Capps joined the show. Matt played with Stephen Strasburg, so the guys wanted him to make the comparison between Strasburg and Paul Skenes. He thinks Skenes is coming into a better situation. Matt talked about the Skenes demeanor on the mound and how impressive he’s been since his debut. How important is the personal catcher thing?

College Football Minute – Pat Narduzzi couldn’t help himself from taking a shot at Penn State during ACC Media Day. Should he be careful what he wishes for? Should Penn State put it back on the schedule with the expanded playoff field?

Pirates analyst Matt Capps joined the show. Matt played with Stephen Strasburg, so the guys wanted him to make the comparison between Strasburg and Paul Skenes. He thinks Skenes is coming into a better situation. Matt talked about the Skenes demeanor on the mound and how impressive he’s been since his debut. How important is the personal catcher thing?

One of baseball’s top insiders thinks the Pirates could do a whole lot of subtracting at the deadline despite going at it as a buyer. If this is their trade deadline approach, Poni said this organization is lost. What do some other MLB scribes think the Pirates will do in about a week? Do you want to see the Pirates go more all in or just add a bat?

The Pirates opened the series with a win over the Cardinals last night. Mitch Keller was strong, just like the pitching for most of the season. Can the Pirates get to the playoffs without making a move?

Do listeners think the Pirates can get into the postseason without making a trade?

Oakland A’s analyst Dallas Braden joined the show. Dallas doesn’t want any team coming close to an offer for Mason Miller. He isn’t sure if Miller has a future in the starting rotation again, but he’s been one of the great relievers in the game this season. The guys asked Dallas about Brent Rooker and what it could take to snag the veteran in the midst of his best pro season. Dallas said the A’s are short all over the place on the farm so the Pirates could definitely help supply them if a trade is made. What are Dallas’ thoughts on Paul Skenes so far? Dallas talked about the nature of watching Skenes pitch and wanting to see him make more history.

Oakland A’s analyst Dallas Braden joined the show. Dallas doesn’t want any team coming close to an offer for Mason Miller. He isn’t sure if Miller has a future in the starting rotation again, but he’s been one of the great relievers in the game this season. The guys asked Dallas about Brent Rooker and what it could take to snag the veteran in the midst of his best pro season. Dallas said the A’s are short all over the place on the farm so the Pirates could definitely help supply them if a trade is made. What are Dallas’ thoughts on Paul Skenes so far? Dallas talked about the nature of watching Skenes pitch and wanting to see him make more history.

The Pirates opened the series with a win over the Cardinals last night. Mitch Keller was strong, just like the pitching for most of the season. Can the Pirates get to the playoffs without making a move?