The Pirates continue to step on rakes repeatedly, as they drop another winnable ball game in LA by the score of 5-4. This feature loss saw the team fail to score with runners on the corners and no one out in extras. It also had Brandon Lowe be four seats away from a game-winning home run, a catcher pinch run for in the 8th, and bad ABS challenged galore. The team’s playoff hopes continue to fade fast as they now have to face two of the best lefty pitchers in baseball over the next two games. Watch DiNardo and I break down this game in detail here:
We Drafted Austin Hedges With the First Overall Pick
Henry Davis came into the game for Rafael Flores in the 8th as a pinch runner. Flores was having a bad day at the plate, going 0-4 before exiting the game for Davis. However, Flores should be the guy you want at the plate instead of Davis. Flores has displayed immense power during his brief stint in the majors, while Davis has been floundering for well over 3 seasons. Davis came up in extras with the bases loaded and a chance to win the Pirates the game and instead grounded into a backbreaking double play. Davis now has 800 career at bats and has an OPS+ of 54. Austin Hedges has a career OPS+ of 56 over the years. He is basically only on the team because Paul Skenes likes to pitch to him and because Endy is made of glass. He is a complete flop; no one going number 1 in the draft can be a glove-first catcher that cannot get hits. He cannot be given key at bats when the season is hanging in the balance.
Weaver and Montgomery Are a Deadly Duo
It’s a shame that the Pirates are not in a playoff race because if they were, Luke Weaver and Mason Montgomery would be shutting the door on teams on a nightly basis. Both were elite tonight and have been for months. They combined for 5 strikeouts, and most impressively, they get through innings lightning quick. If you look away for a second, you’ll have missed a quick strikeout. These 2 deserve to make the playoffs and shut the door on games against the league’s best because that is their level of talent. If we were close to a wild card spot, we would have what the 2013-2015 teams had: the ability to end games after 7 innings. The good news is that they are both on the team next year and will immediately slot in at the back of the bullpen. They should be heroes of the 2026 squad, though, and it is a travesty Weaver hasn’t pitched any meaningful innings for the team.
People Actually Wanted to Trade Oneil Cruz
I cannot fathom how fans of this team can watch this unicorn-type player and want to deal him because Jake Mangum exists. Oneil Cruz comes back from a hand injury and has already homered twice in 3 games. His 420-foot tank tonight gave the Pirates hope and momentum to go win the game. The Dodgers feared him so much that he was intentionally walked in the 10th inning. Oneil Cruz was pacing for 30/30 before being hurt for several months, and it’s clear the team was missing the elite tools he brings to the table. His power, speed, and arm can win the Pirates games on their own. Instead of trading him, the Pirates should be doing everything in their power to extend him in the offseason.
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