North Shore Nine

Coming off back-to-back series wins over the Phillies and Marlins, the NS9 crew dives into what’s suddenly working for the Pirates under interim manager Don Kelly. DiNardo, Jim, and Tyler break down the impact of Kelly’s quicker hook with the rotation, strong starting pitching across the board—even from Bailey Falter—and a lineup that’s still trying to wake up. Mitch Keller’s tough-luck 1-9 record gets some attention, as the guys point out he’s pitched far better than his win-loss line suggests.

They also discuss Carmen Mlodzinski’s return to the bullpen after pushing to be a starter this spring, and how that fits into the ever-confusing decisions from Ben Cherington. Andrew McCutchen’s milestone home run passing Roberto Clemente sparks a Hall of Fame debate and plenty of laughs at DiNardo’s expense. The show wraps up with a Cubs series preview, including a can’t-miss Paul Skenes vs. Cade Horton matchup.

Watch the full episode on YouTube or stream it wherever you get your podcasts!