The Pomp And Joe Show

Pirates and Guardians on schedule to play to start the second half. Jared Jones starts for Pittsburgh, Gavin Williams for the Guardians. Jones hasn't been that good so far in night games.

Pirates broadcaster Bob Walk joined the show. Jared Jones is turning a corner after making eight starts. Bob thinks, at some point, the Pirates will use Jared Jones like their other starting pitchers with pitch count. Carmen Mlodzinski's usage has been up and down but the Pirates are using him in long relief, instead of just one inning. Bob thinks Esmerlyn Valdez has been a great surprise for the offense.

The Padres are open to trading Mason Miller. Could Miller actually be traded home to the Bucs? CBS Sports and FanGraphs thinks the Pirates will be the final Wild Card. Chuck in Uniontown calls the show.

Will the Pirates be buyers or sellers? We think they will be buyers. Donny thinks Mason Miller is unrealistic. Donny is not trading Seth Hernandez. Yahoo Sports thinks it would take a top 100 prospect to acquire Luke Weaver, plus two relievers who could backfill Weaver next season. Can Paul Skenes return to his elite status? Can the offense keep this up? What will Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz look like they they're back? What happens with the young pitchers?

Primanti's dropped off sandwiches and pickle bread today! The NHL released its schedule yesterday and a couple of hours later, MLB released its schedule. We were stunned baseball announced its schedule on the same day as the NHL. They announced it months before they usually do and we don't even know if there will be baseball in 2027.

Steelers reporter Ray Fittipaldo is watching Jaylen Warren vs. Ricco Dowdle and Germie Bernard vs. Roman Wilson. More than anything, people want to know about Will Howard and Drew Allar. Ray thinks Drew Allar could exceed expectations and play well, but is seen as the No. 4 QB. Ray thinks Will Howard will start and play close to the whole first half to start the preseason.

Tyler Kennedy thinks the NHL is "watering the product down' with the schedule by going to 84 games. He thinks teams will rest players and more injuries will occur. TK thinks there will be "load management" in the NHL now with 84 games.

Stanley Cup Champion Tyler Kennedy joined the show. The smoke in the air from Canadian wildfires is making "dangerous" conditions on peoples health. The Pirates are scheduled to play in Cleveland tonight. Cleveland's air has gotten better. TK thinks something would have been done by now if the Penguins were trading for Jason Robertson. Should the Penguins put all three Russians on the same line?

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Jeff Hathhorn and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Thursday, July 16th, 2026

Hour 1 with Jeff Hathhorn: Jeff lists multiple Pirates who have played in the Futures Game that didn't go on to have an MLB career or a very notable career. Should the Pirates consider trading Edward Florentino? Fans continue to tell us they would trade Oneil Cruz for Mason Miller and Tomcat wants Michael King. We hear from fans!