◆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)

NS9 Postgame Show

Pirates Blow Lead & Series; Lose To Cubs 4-3

Aug 17 · 39:15

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Episode Notes

The Pirates blew a 3–2 lead and fell to the Cubs, 4–3, in a bullpen game where Carmen gave them 4 innings of 1-run ball before the pen (Holderman → Heaney → a bloop to tie → Mattson in the 8th) couldn’t lock it down. Offensively, IKF/Horwitz manufactured a run, but the broader issue remains: not a single Pirate entered the day above league-average at the plate. We dig into bunting/fundamentals, the decision to make it a bullpen day instead of starting Heaney, and what this says about the roster.