The Pirates stayed red-hot in Grapefruit League play with a 4–1 win over the Rays, pushing their spring record to 9–2 and giving Bradenton another day of “best team in baseball… if we’re going by record” energy. Neil and Nathan broke down a game that quietly turned into a showcase for a few key roster battles, and a reminder that spring results matter less than spring signals.
The biggest signal came from Mike Clevenger, who looked sharp and efficient again: three scoreless innings, mixing a lively fastball with a changeup that generated the bulk of his swings-and-misses. Whether it’s as a true fifth starter candidate or a multi-inning bullpen weapon, he’s clearly forcing the Pirates to keep his name in the conversation.
Offensively, the early spark belonged to Jake Mangum, who continues to win fans with pure chaos. A stolen base and a throwing mistake turned into a run without a ball being put in play – exactly the kind of “pesky” pressure the Pirates have been missing. If you love hustle, small ball, and spark-plug energy, Mangum is going to be your guy.
The show also featured Anthony DiNardo’s interview with Carmen Mlodzinski, who talked about building off last year, improving his pitch mix (including the splitter), and making faster in-season adjustments. Don Kelly echoed that confidence postgame — and also praised Ryan O’Hearn for embracing right field work with a competitor’s mentality.
Spring’s rolling — and the roster decisions are getting real. Subscribe for more Bradenton coverage, and if you’re in town, come hang with us Wednesday night at 8:00 at The Cut for NS9LIVE.
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