Pirates Insider Podcast

The Pirates are 10 games into a stretch of 22 straight against teams .500 are better. What have we learned? Furthermore, what's going on with Mitch Keller and Dennis Santana? The Pirates have shown a lot of fight, and their offense is really good. But they have to find a way to stabilize the bullpen. Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

Jared Jones had a perfect game going through six innings, but Pirates manager Don Kelly took him out. Was that the right call? What was really to blame in the Pirates' 3-0 loss? Also, Ben Cherington talked before Wednesday's game. Jason Mackey takes a closer look at some of the GM's comments on injuries, the trade deadline and the performance of specific players.

Ryan O'Hearn had himself a day. Not only that, it came after unfortunate news for Konnor Griffin, and it helped Paul Skenes get his first win since May 12. It turned around a dour day for the Pirates, furthering O'Hearn's strong leadership. Jason Mackey takes a closer look at O'Hearn's huge game, as well as what went right for Paul Skenes.

The MLB Draft begins this weekend, and the Pirates have four of the top 51 picks. Pirates senior vice president/assistant general manager Kevan Graves appeared on the Pirates Insider Show and discussed the team's approach, as well as what recent success has meant for confidence in making those selections. It's also a Paul Skenes Day and a crucial one at that.

The Pirates stayed in the fight. In the process, they showcased what it will take to properly handle this current 22-game stretch against teams .500 or better. Konnor Griffin was incredible. The bullpen got it done. And the offense -- on this entire road trip -- showed how it can beat opponents a variety of ways. Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

The Pirates were again struggling to hit with runners in scoring position ... until Esmerlyn Valdez came through in a big way. Again. What has he added? What makes him different? Jared Jones and Carmen Mlodzinski formulated some excellent pitching, and the Pirates split a series with the Phillies. Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

Paul Skenes struggled against the Phillies, allowing eight runs (seven earned) over four innings. What bugged Skenes? Should there be greater concern considering the Pirates have now dropped his past nine starts? Also, Seth Hernandez and Edward Florentino were selected to the MLB All-Star Futures Game. Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

The Pirates' struggles against left-handed pitching continued, this time against Cristopher Sanchez. What did he do to give them problems? Bubba Chandler was solid through six innings, though he didn't like the way his outing ended. Still, what did Chandler think about his work in June? Finally, Konnor Griffin and Esmerlyn Valdez have a special relationship. Jason Mackey breaks down the...

The Pirates earned their most resilient win of the year on Monday in Philadelphia. What did Esmerlyn Valdez do? How did Braxton Ashcraft steady himself? And what did the Pirates offense show about its approach all year? Jason Mackey breaks down all of that, as well as Endy Rodriguez's big home run in the ninth inning.

There have been concerns about Paul Skenes' velocity, and there shouldn't be. Let's break down those, as well as what went into the Pirates' 6-4 loss to the Reds on Friday night at PNC Park, gleaning what might be useful for the second half of their season.

The Pirates reached the midpoint of their season with a 5-1 victory over the Mariners Thursday at PNC Park. Bubba Chandler was solid. Henry Davis homered among his two hits. How do those storylines fold into the rest of the season? Also, what are some other questions the Pirates must consider in the second half? Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

Braxton Ashcraft was outstanding and continued to fill up the strike zone. The Pirates offense erupted, as well. It all led to a lopsided win over the Mariners. Jason Mackey breaks down what made Ashcraft's outing so unique, as well as what he's been doing so well this season. We also got some news on Konnor Griffin and what could happen with Jared Jones' next start.

Mitch Keller filled up the zone with strikes and got a lot of fly ball outs. He also delivered his eighth quality start of the season. But it was one pitch that left him frustrated. North Allegheny product Cole Young hit the decisive homer while continuing the tradition of WPIAL guys hurting their hometown team. The bullpen is trending in a better direction, but the Pirates still struggled to hit...

The Pirates suffered a 2-1 loss when Billy Cook's cleat made contact with Kyle Karros' glove at third base. It was a frustrating way to drop a game and a series, especially considering the Pirates had the bases loaded with one out in the ninth inning. Paul Skenes pitched well and delivered his eighth quality start. But the Pirates offense is missing Oneil Cruz and Konnor Griffin. Jason M...

The Pirates suffered a 4-3 loss that encapsulated a lot of their season. They struggled against a lefty starter in Kyle Freeland. They fought back and took a lead. And then the bullpen couldn't hold it. They also struggled to execute and have quality at-bats with men on base. Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

Do the Pirates have interest in Hunter Stratton? We found out Thursday night that, yeah, they do. What about other relievers the team could add? How will a possible lockout impact urgency? Why hasn't Carmen Mlodzinski pitched more? Taking your questions on a Friday from Denver.

The Pirates offense had one of its biggest games of the year, erupting for a dozen runs to earn a series victory over the Athletics. What's up with Ryan O'Hearn? Could Marcell Ozuna's homer become the spark he has needed? Jason Mackey also discussed Braxton Ashcraft's outing and when we might see Konnor Griffin again.

Bryan Reynolds' red-hot June continued with four hits and two home runs during the Pirates' 6-5 victory over the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. What has fueled his recent run? Also, Mitch Keller steadied himself and gave the Pirates a chance, while the bullpen enjoyed a strong performance. Jason Mackey breaks all of that down here.

The Pirates suffered a lopsided loss to the Athletics, as Jared Jones and Carmen Mlodzinski combined to allow 11 runs over seven innings. When will that piggyback situation be broken up? What led to the Pirates' struggles on Monday? And what we can expect out of Mitch Keller's next start on Tuesday? Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

Paul Skenes delivered a quality start and struck out 10, but the Pirates again failed to hit with runners in scoring position. Was there anything wrong with Skenes' start? They also made an interesting choice in the eighth inning. Jason Mackey breaks down that, as well as what general manager Ben Cherington said on the Pirates Insider Show Sunday.

Spencer Horwitz's hit by pitch helped to secure a 3-2 victory at PNC Park, but the biggest takeaway might've been a more mature Bubba Chandler nearly delivering a quality start and striking out six. The bottom of the order was solid, Bryan Reynolds robbed another home run, and Yohan Ramirez provided some drama in the eighth. Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

The Pirates got a better start from Braxton Ashcraft, but some of their pitching problems persisted in a loss to the Marlins. Ashcraft and manager Don Kelly talked about improvement needing to come from this group. Jason Mackey breaks down where and how that could happen.

The Pirates tried twice to eclipse Dodgers leads but couldn't do it, dropping the series. Mitch Keller talked about needing to improve, while the Pirates felt like they learned some valuable lessons against the Braves and Dodgers. What are they? And who has stepped up with injuries to Oneil Cruz and Konnor Griffin? Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

It was the Tyler Callihan game. But it was also "a gritty, Pittsburgh win." Callihan homered twice, including once off Shohei Ohtani. Spencer Horwitz went deep, too. And the Pirates rallied to erase a five-run deficit against the Dodgers. Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.

Paul Skenes was outstanding against the Dodgers. However, Wilber Dotel and Brandan Bidois struggled in relief, while the Pirates didn't get much going after the first inning. It's fair to worry about a few things out of this one, but not the Pirates ace. Jason Mackey breaks it all down here.