Pirates Sweep Marlins, Off to 4-0 Start
Pirates 9 – Marlins 7 (F/10) — The Pittsburgh Pirates (4-0) completed a four game sweep of the Miami Marlins (0-4) — Game Changer: Oneil Cruz in the 10th as a pinch runner raced home on Jason Delay’s bunt to put the Pirates ahead 8-7. Bullpen Dominance: Pittsburgh’s bullpen allowed two runs over 20 1/3 innings in the series Hayes .444 AVG: Ke’bryan Hayes taking another step forward as a hitter? Hayes went 8-for-18 in the series with two doubles, 4 RBI and walked four times.
Big Picture Outlook & Takeaways from Home-And-Home Series
The Penguins 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday night was another microcosm of the 2023-2024 Pittsburgh Penguins. In the loss Pittsburgh allowed a shorthanded goal off a Kris Letang gaffe in the first period and things unraveled quickly in the third period when holding a multi-goal lead for a mere couple seconds At 8:59 of the third, Rickard Rakell gives Pittsburgh a 3-1 lead off a great individual 1-on-1 goal, something that was reminiscent of ‘Last Season’ Rakell. Nine seconds later Kirill Marchenko makes it a 3-2 game and it was just a matter of time before it was a tied hockey game. Columbus put their foot on the gas and Zach Werenski ties it up, 2:29
Latest Pens Buzz: Could Ned’s Latest charge change current 24-25 Goaltending Plans & More Buzz
21-3-2 vs Blue Jackets since February 2017 Until the Penguins are mathematically out of things, from actions with the lineup on a nightly basis to everything you hear out of the organization is going to continue to be about trying to claw back in the wildcard race. Even the lure of securing a Top-10 pick and holding onto their 2024 First-Rounder hasn’t seen management ready to embrace losing as Kyle Dubas on radio and on his weekly GM show was touting a big week ahead with the home and home series and into next week where the Penguins could get back into the race. Following a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday night and losses by the Flyers
Pirates Opening Day: Pirates 6 – Marlins 5 (F/12)
Pirates 6 – Marlins 5 (F/12) Storylines: Jared Triolo hit an RBI single in the top of the 12th inning as the Pirates rallied past the Miami Marlins for a 6-5 win in extra innings: Bullpen Thrives: Mitch Keller gave up seven hits and 4 earned runs, striking out three and walking two over 5 2/3 innings as the Pirates trailed 5-2 when Keller exited. Pittsburgh’s bullpen minus David Bednar shined, allowing just one hit the rest of the way. Jose Hernandez earned his first career save, retiring the meat of the Marlins lineup for the win…….. Home Run Bucs: Bryan Reynolds hit a 2-run homer in the 3rd inning and was 2-5, HR, 2RBIs in the win……Clawing back in
Latest Pens Buzz: League Whispers of Guentzel Possible Summer Return on 4-5 year deal pure Fantasy or Reality?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PENGUINS – HURRICANES WHAT WE LEARNED The Penguins were out attempted 87 to 43 in Tuesday’s 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, including a minus-43 mark (76/33) at 5 vs 5. Pittsburgh was minus-19 (33/14) at 5 vs 5 in scoring chances, yet, it ended up being a night of quite a few positives playing out on the Penguins end in the 4-1 victory: Among Them: –Surprise, Surprise, the Penguins defended really well in the third period…………………… —Alex Nedeljkovic was a brick wall. He’s had moments this season where he’s really zoned in early on and can’t sustain it over course of the game. That wasn’t the case Tuesday night where from start to finish he was reading shooters
From System/philosophical changes, Penguins will need a coaching bump more than ever to make up sizeable ground in 24-25
The Penguins earlier in the season had moments to hang their hat on where they competed well with some of the NHL’s elite. Talent wise this month, though, has showed the obvious the Penguins don’t have the horses to compete with ‘Edmonton’s star power, New York Rangers run and gun style, Dallas Stars heavy game or the Colorado’s of the NHL who beat you with a combination of speed/skill/strength. Each of those four games over the last 14 days has given the Penguins another reality check that they probably aren’t a few personnel moves and luck from putting together a 180’ and being 15-18 points better next season. However, three wins in their last 14 games and netting just eight
Tomlin initially zeroed in on acquiring one of Wilson or Fields this off-season
Mike Tomlin [hide] speaking for the first time since the Kenny Pickett trade, told reporters today he initially zeroed in on acquiring one of Russell Wilson or Justin Fields and the dominoes just somehow played out where the Steelers acquired both. [/hide] [hide] The Russell Wilson signing has created a buzz in the organization, especially among big named players like a T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Even prior to teammates having any inkling Kenny Pickett might want out, all three recruited Wilson heavily in the day before Wilson agreed to sign and the support Wilson has among key veterans gives Wilson significant headway as being entrenched as the starter to open the season. [/hide] [hide] But, there’s no
Latest Pens Buzz: Sullivan Coaching Chatter; Penguins gauged market for Marcus Pettersson to get ‘Value’ feeling before summer extension decision & More Buzz
PENGUINS DWINDLING PLAYOFF HOPES It was fun for a couple days while it lasted that just maybe the Penguins could put a string of games together and remain relevant in the playoff race for another week or so. Pittsburgh’s slim playoff hopes, though, took a sizeable nosedive with the upcoming schedule they have in a 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night. The game did not break open until a Luke Hughes power play goal off a lazy neutral zone Evgeni Malkin second period penalty. Pittsburgh, though, lost this pivotal game really in the first period. New Jersey got Pittsburgh running around in their own end, and not staying in lanes from the early moments after puck
Rumors: Steelers in pole position to trade 2nd rounder for Aiyuk & still sign Mike Williams?
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been heavily linked to San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, so much so there’s talk of the Steelers possibly being in pole [hide] position to trade for Aiyuk who is believed to have strong interest in signing an extension with the Steelers and playing the next stage of his career for Mike Tomlin. If the two sides can agree to an extension Pittsburgh, the 49ers have coveted a second-rounder for Aiyuk. [/hide] Aiuyk, 26, had 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2023, averaging 17.9 yards per catch. Meanwhile, another name to watch [hide] this week is wide receiver Mike Williams who is scheduled to meet with the Steelers Thursday and is being
Latest Pens Buzz: Surging Capitals, WBS Watch & More Buzz
The Washington Capitals are becoming quite the story in moving into the top wild card spot despite a minus-27 goal differential and their big free agent goaltending signing two summers ago having an .894 save percentage. Not only does Washington hold the second wildcard spot, they’re also just a point behind the Philadelphia Flyers for third in the division. On top of everything, they went away from the established veteran coach in Peter Laviolette to a younger coach with fresh ideas and a reset for the group as management had an eye on developing than being all-in on competing. What’s playing out is just bonus hockey for Washington as the Capitals are suddenly playing at a 92-point pace. There have