Post-Gazette Sports Network: Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, Penguins and more

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts to the Pirates' weekend series against the New York Mets and the announcement of MLB All-Star selections. Does Paul Skenes deserve to start the game despite only pitching in 10 games so far as a rookie? Did the Pirates deserve any any additional All-Stars beyond Skenes and Bryan Reynolds? And is the rotation prepared...

Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin react to Paul Skenes' selection for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game. Should the rookie phenom actually start the game? Is there a bigger story than Skenes in Texas? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the Friday edition of The North Shore Drive podcast presented by Mike’s Beer Bar, host Christopher Carter and Steelers insider Brian Batko discuss whether GM Omar Khan is saving his team’s salary cap space for a big trade or will roll it over into next season. Would wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and CeeDee Lamb be the best use of that money, or should they extend their own players? And later Pir...

On today's edition of First 10, Jason Mackey talks about time running short on the Pirates adding some pop, the look of the starting rotation with Jared Jones hurt, what to do with Aroldis Chapman if there are offers and whether Paul Skenes should go to the All-Star Game. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for...

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, host Christopher Carter and Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko analyze the team's linebacker core heading into training camp later this month. Are T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith already better than Steelers LB legends James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley? Which current Steelers also have the best shot at making the hall of fame? Our duo...

On today's episode of First 10, Jason Mackey discusses what the Pirates need to see out of Jack Suwinski after Tuesday night's performance, why they continue to play Yasmani Grandal, and where he'd like to see them go with the catching situation. Mackey also touches on the Penguins adding Sebastian Aho, needing to get a winger and what looks to be a daunting schedule. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsW...

On his weekly Chipped Ham and Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes 93.7 The Fan's "Donny Football" Chedrick to pick the most likely -- or necessary -- breakout players for the team this season. Why does Keenau Benton seem like the most likely to take a major step after an encouraging rookie year? Can Joey Porter Jr. build on strong analytics to become a tr...

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts to the Penguins moves -- or lack thereof -- on the first day of NHL free agency. Do additions including Blake Lizotte, Matt Grzelcyk and Anthony Beauvillier make GM Kyle Dubas' roster significantly better? Will Reilly Smith be missed after he was traded to the New York Rangers? What will the core of veteran stars incl...

On their weekly Pitt mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Stephen Thompson answer reader questions. Among them: Does Bub Carrington's selection in the first round of the NBA draft as a one-and-done actually help the Panthers' program? Will Blake Hinson actually get a chance to play for the Lakers and with LeBron James? And should we be excited about Mason Alexander, a corn...

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, host Christopher Carter and Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko rank the team's position groups from best to worst. Can any group challenge the depth and quality of T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and the outside linebackers? Are the receivers the worst group despite the presence of George Pickens? Where do Russell Wilson, Justin...

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey previews NHL free agency for GM Kyle Dubas and the Penguins. What should we make of the Kevin Hayes trade with the St. Louis Blues over the weekend? And what should we expect as free agents begin signing with teams officially on Monday? Is there anything Dubas can do to meaningfully upgrade the roster around Sidney Crosby, E...

Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin discuss how the series against the Atlanta Braves showed the team’s strengths (Paul Skenes, Aroldis Chapman) and weaknesses (Ke'Bryan Hayes, Jared Triolo) and where improvement can be found. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the Friday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to analyze GM Omar Khan's strategy with the offensive line. Is Khan signaling an intent to move on from James Daniels with moves including his selection of Mason McCormick in the NFL draft? Will Daniels make big money with another team, much as Kevin Dotson has with...

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey answers reader questions. Among them: Why would Starling Marte be a member of the Pirates' 2015 team who'd be an ideal fit with today's? Do manager Derek Shelton's getaway day lineups reveal a lack of urgency about making the postseason? Are there any obvious solutions for Jack Suwinski's prolonged struggles this season? And...

In his weekly YouTube appearance, Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise joins host Adam Bittner to react to Kenny Pickett's camp attempting to shoot down negative narratives that surrounded his exit from the Steelers. Do comments by his high school coach and private QB coach to NJ.com amount to sour grapes about the way last season ended with Mason Rudolph taking the starting job? Or about the...

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey ponders moves Penguins GM Kyle Dubas should -- or should not -- consider with NHL free agency approaching on July 1. Should names including Reilly Smith and Rickard Rakell be on the trading block as the team searches for more speed alongside Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang? And why do targets including Max Domi,...

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin react to the club's series win against the Cincinnati Reds this week, with Andrew reporting from Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Did Luis Ortiz earn a spot in the rotation after his excellent start on Wednesday? Is Bailey Falter's spectacular start to the season running out of gas? How long can Bryan Reynolds carry the Pirates offe...

On the Wednesday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Mike's Beer Bar, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to analyze the team's tight end group. Will Pat Freiermuth have an elevated role in new OC Arthur Smith's gameplan? Will Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward also get more looks from QBs Russell Wilson and Justin Fields? And how muc...

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts the Pirates' victory against the Reds on Tuesday in Cincinnati. Can they use it as a springboard to a winning streak that would help them greatly in their MLB playoff race for an NL wild card spot? Or will the inconsistency of players like Yasmani Grandal and Michael A. Taylor prevent that? Did Mitch Keller prove that...

On Brian Batko's weekly Chipped Ham and Football podcast, the Post-Gazette's Adam Bittner and Jason Mackey fill in and offer their thoughts on Justin Fields' performance during Steelers OTAs and minicamp. Have concerns the backup QB been exaggerated after PG insider Ray Fittipaldo reported that his accuracy was a bit of an issue during the offseason program? Why has Fields been such a flashpoint w...

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts to the Pirates' 11-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night. Are Bailey Falter's June struggles a sign of what's to come from him? Or can he turn them around? And does the bullpen have enough depth behind David Bednar, Aroldis Chapman and Colin Holderman? Jason tackles those topics, recaps his column about Willie...

On their weekly Pitt mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Abby Schnable answer reader questions. Among them: How high is Bub Carrington's stock ahead of the NBA draft? Does Blake Hinson have a chance to be selected? And what do recent Pitt football commits including Synkwan Smith, Shawn Lee Jr. and Akram Elnagm bring to coach Pat Narduzzi's program? Hosted by Simplecast, a...

On the Monday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Mike's Beer Bar, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to ponder the future for Najee Harris in Pittsburgh. Can a contract extension still be worked out with the running back entering his fourth season? Or does the New England Patriots' recent deal with Rhamondre Stevenson show such a move...

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey analyzes the Steelers' offseason. Has GM Omar Khan improved the team at almost every spot through the acquisitions of free agents such as Russell Wilson and Patrick Queen? And NFL draft picks including Troy Fautanu, Roman Wilson, Payton Wilson and Zach Frazier? Is receiver the only place where they look worse on paper amid t...

On their Pirates podcast, Post-Gazette insiders Andrew Destin and Noah Hiles react to club's series loss against the Tampa Bay Rays this past weekend at PNC Park. How much longer can manager Derek Shelton's team survive in the MLB playoff race if it keeps wasting stellar pitching performances like Paul Skenes' on Sunday? What's clicking for Bryan Reynolds at the plate amid his long hitting streak?...