The future of the Pirates bullpen

While working on today's Futilitywatch, I had considered doing the history part of it on what seems to me to be a pretty unique line that Andrew McCutchen has put up during his rookie season. I scrapped that in favor of something more futility-related, but that doesn't mean I can't share the McCutchen stuff here. Using Baseball-Reference's invaluable Play Index, I went looking for...

John Russell, the Pirates' manager, seemed taken aback by the question: Does he stand behind closer Matt Capps?

After watching Brad Lidge blow last night’s one-run lead to the Pittsburgh Pirates [sorry, but Luis Cruz, Brandon Moss and Andrew McCutchen are not exactly a modern-day Murderer’s Row] via MLB.com’s Gameday, I nearly lost the deposit on our Cape Cod rental. Naturally,... ...

It was supposed to be a battle of big-time ROY candidates…J.A. Happ vs. Andrew McCutchen. Cutch had the early advantage with a leadoff homer and another hit. Happ got him out the next two times, though, and pitched into the 8th inning with a 2-1 lead. Then, another rookie who everyone had temporarily forgotten stepped in: 2-run [...]

Rookie left-hander J.A. Happ (10-2, 2.59) has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last five starts. He tries to deliver a series win tonight against Charlie Morton (3-6, 5.21) and the Pittsburgh Pirates. First pitch is 7:05. Happ enters the game leading or tied for the league lead in all major rookie categories, and among all pitchers, first in road ERA (1.72). ... Lineups are...

In two years, you might only see one of those dudes up there still roaming the outfield at PNC Park, but that guy might end up your NL MVP the same year the Pirates overtake five teams to win their division. Andrew McCutchen hit a solo home run in yesterday's 3-2 Pirates win over the Phillies that helped Pittsburgh win an inspirational series against the World F'in Champions...

Shortstop Ronny Cedeno was scratched from the lineup Tuesday against Philadelphia. He has missed three straight games due to a hairline fracture in his left pinky finger. Luis Cruz started at short.

BUCCO Fans.com provides all of the updates to the Pittsburgh Pirates Prospect Tracker with the daily prospect feature, and recaps of all of the minor league games on 8/26.

BUCCO Fans.com joins several other Pirates blogs in a live blog of the Pittsburgh Pirates vs Philadelphia Phillies game on 8/27.

Bucco Fans.com was in attendance for the Lynchburg Hillcats game on 8/24/09, and has video of Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Bryan Morris, including analysis on the possible source of his 2009 struggles.

Andrew McCutchen had said he wanted to make amends for a play in the top of the ninth inning that allowed the Phillies to take the lead in the game.  He was able to do that, as he hit a two run home run off Phillies closer Brad Lidge to win the game for the [...]

Victories have been hard to come by this season for Zach Duke. Friday night, he gave up 5 runs in the first inning.

Not this time. Brandon Moss hammered a home run for a huge pinch-hit that tied the score in the ninth inning, just like the night before.

The Phillies go for another series win against an inferior opponent tonight against the Pirates.The Pirates have proven to be a pest to the defending World Series champions. Two nights in a row the Pirates have rallied to at least tie the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. Last night the Phillies prevailed thanks to a Ryan Howard homer in the tenth. Will the Phillies, who have...

Philadelphia Phillies (72-51) at Pittsburgh Pirates (52-71) Cole Hamels (7-8, 4.78 ERA) vs. Paul Maholm (7-7, 4.74 ERA) Time: 7:05 p.m at PNC Park Weather: Partly Cloudy, 76 TV:Comcast Sportsnet Twitter: Phillies Nation Losing a heart-breaker last night, the Phillies learned that they can not take the Pirates lightly.  The Pirates may be in last place, but the Phillies continued their [...]