The Pomp And Joe Show

Is Brandon Lowe going to be back next year? Matt Clement gives it "zero chance." The guys don't think there is any chance they sign him unless the Pirates go far in the playoffs. Nick Gonzales has established himself as an option at second or at third. 

Joe thinks the Pirates give Mitch Keller too big of a leash and keeps him in too long. Bob thinks Braxton Ashcraft is going to be picked as a replacement in the ASG. Joe doesn't think Paul Skenes DESERVES to be in the All-Star Game. 

The Pirates have lost Paul Skenes' last EIGHT starts. Why? The velocity is down and his ERA is up one run. Matt Clement doesn't think Skenes' location has been as good. Joe thinks it's a concern that Skenes doesn't throw 100 mph.

The Brewers are on pace for over 100 wins! One fan didn't like Jared Jones' demeanor after walking off the mound following a balk, wild pitch, and error. Dave in Chalk Hill wonders if they should trade Jared Jones for Aroldis Chapman.

Matt thinks the Pirates could trade their comp pick for a reliever. Joe would keep Gregory Soto as the closer for now and doesn't trust anymore. Bob wants Mlodzinski to close. Should the Pirates trade Carmen Mlodzinski or Mitch Keller for a pitcher?

This is the time when we'll know who the Pirates will be. The Pirates are one of the best teams in baseball before the seventh inning. The Brewers are 37-18 after a .500 first month. What is going to happen. The Pirates bullpen is terrible, and we keep seeing it day after day.

Half of the Pirates season has come and gone. What have they done right and what do they need to improve to have a shot at the playoffs. Also, the Hoffmann Family has officially purchased the Penguins and plan to keep the team in Pittsburgh for good.

The Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold, from Friday, June 26th, 2026

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: Joe thought Don Kelly managed yesterday's game very well. He doesn't believe we talk about when the manager does a good job. Joe doesn't think Don Kelly is as bad as a lot of fans think. Joe thinks Don Kelly has done a decent job and has survived the first half. Joe thought the Pirates had one of their best games of the season Thursday.

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: Grading the Pirates pitching staff. The Pirates are in a good spot. Austin thinks Bryan Reynolds is underrated in baseball. All the places Joe has lived in Pittsburgh. The Hoffmann Family seems much more relatable than FSG.

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey: The prices for players are very high in the trade market. Jason Robertson turned down $15 million from the Seattle Kraken. If the Penguins want a superstar, Sean thinks Ben Kindel would be the headliner. Auston Matthews is probably staying put, for a year. It is possible the Penguins trade Rickard Rakell or Bryan Rust. MLB has unveiled a new proposal to the players. It inc...

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey: Pirates broadcaster Bob Walk joined the show. Bob expects Henry Davis to be in the lineup tonight with Skenes. We were all surprised that Don Kelly took Bubba Chandler out after 5.1 innings. Henry Davis seemingly is using a torpedo bat. Konnor Griffin has been missed in the lineup. A great discussion about fishing. This date in sports history June 26, 2026.

This day in sports.

Bob expects Henry Davis to be in the lineup tonight with Skenes. We were all surprised that Don Kelly took Bubba Chandler out after 5.1 innings. Henry Davis seemingly is using a torpedo bat. Konnor Griffin has been missed in the lineup. A great discussion about fishing.

MLB has unveiled a new proposal to the players. It includes a salary cap and floor, plus moving the MLB minimum salary to $1 million. Some things proposed are reasonable, and some are not, but MLB is trying to help the small markets. Team USA will play in the Round of 32 on Wednesday.

The NHL draft is in Buffalo this week. The prices for players are very high in the trade market. Jason Robertson turned down $15 million from the Seattle Kraken. If the Penguins want a superstar, Sean Gentille thinks Ben Kindel would be the headliner. Auston Matthews is probably staying put, for a year. It is possible the Penguins trade Rickard Rakell or Bryan Rust. The Hoffmann Family did a good...

All the places Joe has lived in Pittsburgh. The Hoffmann Family seems much more relatable than FSG. The Penguins need to find their next star.

Grading the Pirates pitching staff. Ashcraft: Joe - A-, Austin: A. Keller - Joe - D-, Austin - D. Skenes: Joe: B, Austin: B+. The Pirates are in a good spot. Austin thinks Bryan Reynolds is underrated in baseball.

The Pirates have had three losing streaks of four or more games. Joe thought the Pirates had one of their best games of the season Thursday. We hear from Pirates fans. Pirates fans think they deserve a middle of the pack grade but are optimistic about a potential playoff berth. 

Joe thought Don Kelly managed yesterday's game very well. He doesn't believe we talk about when the manager does a good job. Joe doesn't think Don Kelly is as bad as a lot of fans think. Joe thinks Don Kelly has done a decent job and has survived the first half. He thinks they've set themselves up to be a playoff team and WILL be a playoff team.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani (10-11am), Joe Starkey, and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Thursday, June 25th, 2026

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Where are we with ownership? The Hoffmann's are taking over with the sun setting. The Hoffmann Family is welcoming back Mario Lemieux and Bob expects the Hoffmann's to put Mario in a "prominent position" and the welcome mat out. Pens fans want to see the group involved, but hands off and not overstepping.

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: The Pirates are 40-40 but should be better than that. Who is in order to blame: Ben Cherington, Don Kelly, or the players? Joe is thinking of going with players first, then GM, then manager. Joe doesn't think Don Kelly is the reason the Pirates have failed this season. Joe has been very frustrated by the Pirates lack of success in extras.

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey and Tyler Kennedy: Joe is willing to give up a first round pick and Ben Kindel for Jason Robertson. NHL players are more in control of where they want to go. TK thinks it's good for the NHL. Many players are leaving Canada to play in warmer weather and also no state tax. Josh Yohe reported that Kyle Dubas is "big game hunting." Will the Penguins make a big move?

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey and Jeff Hathhorn: Geoff Hoffmann is hopeful that Mario Lemieux will be involved with the Penguins. Jeff said that Lemieux doesn't want to be involved day-to-day but wants to feel welcome at games and come when he wants. Mario disappeared with Fenway. Geoff Hoffmann said this is not an investment and they will do everything for the Penguins to win in Pittsburgh. Jeff Hathho...