◆NEWSPirates make a roster move ahead of the series◆ROSTERSent RHP Chris Devenski on a rehab assignment to FCL Pirates◆HOT BATEsmerlyn Valdez: .294 AVG, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 1.356 OPS (last 2 weeks)◆LAST GAMEEsmerlyn Valdez 1-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI◆NEWSPirates checking in on bullpen help◆ROSTERSigned RHP Griffin Stieg◆ON THE BUMPJared Jones: 0.82 ERA, 17 K (last 2 weeks)◆ROSTERSigned LHP Dakota Stone◆STATNick Gonzales ranks 3rd in the NL in batting average (.309)◆ROSTERSigned RHP Liam O'Leary◆STATPaul Skenes ranks 4th in the NL in strikeouts (138)

OffBeat

Paul Skenes Will Be Fine. The Pirates Bullpen Might Not Be.

Mar 27 · 15:22

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Episode Notes

Opening Day was supposed to feel like the start of something big. Instead, it raised a bunch of uncomfortable questions. On this episode of OffBeat, Alex Stumpf reacts to the Pirates’ ugly 11-7 loss to the Mets, breaks down Paul Skenes’ uncharacteristically rough first inning, and explains why Oneil Cruz’s defensive mistakes mattered but should not define the story. Alex also digs into the bigger concern that came out of Game 1: a bullpen that already looked shaky in the exact areas many feared coming into the season. It is one game, but it was the kind of one game that immediately puts the spotlight on some real pressure points.