The 2026 Buccos!!!

[bambino]

For those curious, here is the Bucs rotation for the Padres series…

Mon. - Bubba Chandler
Tues. - Paul Skenes
Wed. - Mitch Keller

(Pirates have not defeated the Padres in Pittsburgh since 2023)

[Salty Again]

Originally Posted by Yssup Rider

Didn’t the Pirates just sell half of the downtown real estate in PGH on a 19 year old who hadn’t appeared in a single game?

Why not Skenes?

... The Pirates won't be able to afford him once
Skenes becomes a "free" agent... So, they still got him
for three more years - so the time is NOW to try to Win.

And the lads are off to a Great start! ...

#### Salty

[Salty Again]

Originally Posted by Charley3

I’m going to my first home opener in about 20 years. Bottom Line Bob put a little effort(money) into his team this offseason so I’ll keep an open mind.

... And How was it??

#### Salty

[Charley3]

Originally Posted by Salty Again

... And How was it??

#### Salty

Electric! When that kid hit his double on his first at bat the place went nuts. Haven’t seen this type of Pirate excitement in 15 years.
Amazing at what an honest effort by the owner can do for optimism. Although the cynic in me thinks the league pressured Nutting to stop putting luxury tax dollars into his fat wallet.

[Salty Again]

Originally Posted by Charley3

Electric! When that kid hit his double on his first at bat the place went nuts. Haven’t seen this type of Pirate excitement in 15 years.
Amazing at what an honest effort by the owner can do for optimism. Although the cynic in me thinks the league pressured Nutting to stop putting luxury tax dollars into his fat wallet.

... Glad you had a good time there, Char...

Surely 'bout bleedin' time that Nutting starts spending
actual $$$$ on decent players to create a Winning side.

... Skenes surely looked sharp today. ... ...

#### Salty

[Salty Again]

... Yet another Fine pitching performance by the Pirates.
Nice and timely home run by Brian Reynolds also! ...

... Our lads look as good as anyone else.

#### Salty

[Salty Again]

... Blimey! ... reliever pitching in in the shithouse.
Can't seem to score the winning run...

... Let's get it together, lads! ...

#### Salty

[Charley3]

Pirates comeback from a tough loss.
One thing that nobody will ever convince me that it makes sense is this BS where we are pulling our starters after 4,5,6 innings when it’s obvious starting pitching and offense is our strengths.
Can’t fix the defense but stop putting the ball into our garbage relievers hands mid-game!! 7 innings is not too much.

[Salty Again]

... Too right, Char...

... And I'm hearing some rumblings from me sporting "Insiders"...

They got a theory that maybe Don Kelly is WRONG for this team.

Kelly was good as Manager when our side had FEW good players,
and he'd just navigate the baseball sea as best he could.

But NOW - Kelly surely has BETTER players - and some of his
in-game decisions have revealed his IN-EXPERIENCE and lack of skill.

... Wonderin' IF the team would be better served to have a
battle-tested Veteran Manager who has had good success before.

... Just sayin'

#### Salty

[jayzee43]

Originally Posted by Charley3

Pirates comeback from a tough loss.
One thing that nobody will ever convince me that it makes sense is this BS where we are pulling our starters after 4,5,6 innings when it’s obvious starting pitching and offense is our strengths.
Can’t fix the defense but stop putting the ball into our garbage relievers hands mid-game!! 7 innings is not too much.

Unfortunately, in this day and age, those decisions have as much to do with the players' agents and contract stipulations as they do with the managers.

They really do take this "pitch count" and "load management" bullshit seriously. It's even worse in the NBA, though that might be changing soon.