The Latest Breaking News from Pirates

BOSTON — The breadth of a baseball season, 162 games in all, allows for these beauties, the back-and-forth, nothing-ever-seems-right affairs. On Monday in Boston, two popups were dropped, a single off first base scored a run, and the Pirates and Red Sox combined for six home runs.

CINCINNATI — The upside of Vince Velasquez, one of two starting pitchers the Pirates added via free agency this winter, can be really good. With multiple breaking balls, as well as a spin-heavy, riding fastball, it’s certainly not weaponry Velasquez lacks. For the large part of his career, however, it’s…

CINCINNATI — When Rob Zastryzny and the Pirates' other relievers walked from the dugout to the bullpen at Great American Ball Park late Thursday afternoon, the 31-year-old turned and took a look around.

CINCINNATI — The magic that marked the Pirates’ opening day victory against the Reds did not return. There were no dashes around the basepaths, no crucial, late-inning plays. In fact, the flicker of offense that existed at the beginning of this one didn’t last long at all.

CINCINNATI — If the Pirates are going to achieve their big-picture goal this season — essentially to play a better brand of baseball and start winning games — the recipe they deployed on opening day in Cincinnati is a keeper.

It's time to take the Pirates somewhat seriously again — and kudos to them on a perfectly executed tank job.

The Pirates face two crucial games this weekend as they look to keep their play-off and Scottish Cup hopes afloat.

As a new baseball season finally crept within a week, I tripped over this headline that appeared on the Post-Gazette website at the start of the day:

The Renfrewshire side still have the Scottish Cup and play-offs to look forward to after a poor end to their league campaign.

BRADENTON, Fla. — A noticeable storyline of spring training thus far has been the decent amount of competency found in the Pirates' starting rotation.

Can South Dakota State make another Sweet 16 run?