To no one’s surprise, the Pirates lost yet another game tonight by the score of 8-2. Another night of subjecting fans to boring offense and dismal starting pitching resulted in another miserable 3 hours for any poor soul unfortunate enough to watch the game. Carmen Mlodzinski couldn’t make it past 3 innings, the bullpen imploded, and the offense could barely muster an extra base hit all night. After another dismal performance, it really feels like the season is over after they drop yet another series. Watch me break this game down solo after Jim got escorted out by Miami security:

The Pirates Have Committed the Worst Crime: Apathy

The Pirates have officially broken me and most of the fans I talk to by this point. There is very little drawing me to the TV screen to watch this lifeless team lose on a consistent basis. The offense has been bland, hitting for very little power and being unable to plate a lot of runs. They were lucky tonight to get their first run due to bad defense by the Marlins. If the team can’t show up against Janson Junk, then there aren’t many pitchers they will show up for. The starting pitching, where the star power is supposed to be, is now reduced to fatigued Paul Skenes and Braxton Ashcraft shoved between Carmen Mlodzinski starts. The bullpen has been the only serviceable part of the team, and they mostly feature while being down by an insurmountable lead. I simply cannot bring myself to get angry or care anymore because the team has worn me down after this prolonged stretch of bad play. The Pirates had a chance to get more attention and love than the pre-season Steelers, and they completely blew it barring an act of God.

Carmen Mlodzinski Should Be Off My Team

If someone is going to throw a hissy fit and demand to step away from the team because of a roster decision, they better prove they belonged in the first place. When Carmen went to the restricted list to protest his removal from the rotation, it left a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths, and rightfully so. This comes after he previously threatened retirement if he wasn’t allowed to start. Since then, the Pirates have been far more gracious than any team should be in giving him chances to be a Major League starter. With that opportunity, Mlodzinski has blown up repeatedly and often. The experiment has to be over after tonight; he couldn’t throw strikes and couldn’t even manage to finish 3 innings. He got destroyed by a mediocre Marlins offense and forced the team into a bullpen game. No one player should be able to dictate when and how he plays, especially when this is the performance he gives the team and fans. Cut him immediately because he has no respect for the fans, his teammates, or the organization. I am tired of watching him pitch for this team.

Ronny Simon is Using His Chance Well

Ronny Simon‘s cult following on Twitter was very amusing, but it has been cool to see him take this opportunity and play well. He tallied 2 of the Pirates’ 6 hits and helped get Nick Gonzales over home plate twice tonight. He hasn’t lit the world on fire, but he has been solid, and in a just world he would be a wonderful story propelling the Pirates into a wild card spot. A .760 OPS is great for someone the Pirates got off the scrapheap at the end of 2025; it is a shame we can’t celebrate this more. The offense is in desperate need of any spark, and Simon has been a pleasant small spark in a big tidal wave of disappointment.