TIOPS Daily Five: Chances slim the Pirates view Andrew McCutchen as a $14 million a year player for 17
TIOPS Daily Five *Rumblings, Musings, Opinions* 1. The Gretzky bias. Sidney Crosby on Thursday night became the third player in hockey history to have a Hart Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy and World Cup/Canada Cup MVP on his resume. The other two are Wayne Gretzky (1987) and Bobby Orr (1976). The other two should be Mario
How the Chips may fall on the Penguins Blue Line
[/hide] Monday’s TIOPS Buzz Column Rumblings, Musings, Opinions 1. Josh Harrison showing signs of finding his swing this past weekend was a key development for the Pirates. If it’s a start of Harrison resembling the hitter he was in 2014, could Neil Walker’s starting spot be in jeopardy down the stretch and in the post-season?
Daily 5: Happ’s Dominance, Kessel to elevate Crosby?
Photo: David Hague DAILY FIVE *Rumblings, Musings, Opinions* 1. Expecting a dominant start from J.A. Happ is becoming the norm. It’s now been six straight. Happ struck out 10 and allowed three hits in the Pirates 5-4 win Wednesday night vs the Reds. Happ’s strikeout-to-walk ratio over his last six starts is 36/5. Things are
Daily 5: Joe Blanton time in the rotation; Steelers Trade Talk
TIOPS DAILY FIVE Rumblings, Musings, Opinions* 1. Almost every Major League team has a Jeff Locke as their No. 5 starter but there reaches a point where you have to pull the plug, at least when it comes to Locke pitching another meaningful game in 2015. Locke was a disaster in the Pirates 9-4 loss
Daily 5: Few Dominant starts for Gerrit Cole over last two months
TIOPS DAILY FIVE Rumblings, Musings, Opinions* 1. Gerrit Cole was rocked in the Pirates 7-4 loss to the Brewers Tuesday night. Cole lasted just four innings, matching the shortest start of his career, and allowing five runs, which also matched the most he has ever allowed. “I didn’t work down, I didn’t work efficiently,” Cole
Daily 5: The Penguins and Cody Franson
TIOPS DAILY FIVE RUMBLINGS, MUSINGS, OPINIONS 1. A.J. Burnett on Sunday threw around 70 pitches, 40 fastballs, 20 cuveballs, 6-10 changeups and the velocity was very encouraging. “He threw all three pitches effectively,” GM Neal Huntington said yesterday. “Curveball was good. Changeup was good for A.J. and the fastball showed life.” The Pirates are about
Daily 5: Two knuckleheads unable to stay off the reefer could cost the Steelers big
TIOPS DAILY FIVE Rumblings, Musings, Opinions 1. The Pittsburgh Steelers could miss the playoffs because two knuckleheads couldn’t lay off the reefer. Martavis Bryant pending four game suspension is because of a failed drug test (marijuana) and what should have everyone in the organization furious is Bryant obviously can’t kick the problem as this wasn’t
Daily 5: McCutchen’s MVP Surge; Sestito fits certain role Pens brass have identified?
TIOPS DAILY FIVE Rumblings, Musings, Opinions 1. Andrew McCutchen making his MVP surge, was 2-5 with a home run and 4 RBIs in the Pirates 7-2 win over the Florida Marlins Wednesday night. On pace for 110 RBIs this season, which would be a career high (previous 96 in 2012), McCutchen’s 85 RBIs currently place
Daily 5: Crosby’s power in the organization
TIOPS DAILY FIVE Rumblings, Musings, Opinions 1. Mike Johnston when constructing his lines believes in pairs of two’s. What’s good to see is he isn’t overthinking things and Sidney Crosby will get the first shot at playing with Phil Kessel. “You’d probably find Kessel starting on the right side with Sid to begin with,” Johnston
Daily 5 Weekend Edition: Walker 1B Talk; Hurdle; Brown/Tomlin Connection; Gonchar likely to get contract & more
TIOPS DAILY FIVE: WEEKEND EDITION *Rumblings, Musings, Opinions* 1. Josh Harrison during his rehab stint in Indianapolis has seen playing time at second base and Pirates manager Clint Hurdle believes Harrison’s best position is second base. The ideal scenario for the Pirates that has been obvious for weeks and maybe months is Neil Walker at