Pirates Insider Podcast
Pirates Insider Podcast is your source for all things Buccos. Join Jason Mackey as he breaks down the latest stories, roster moves, game takeaways, clubhouse developments, and the current state of your Pittsburgh Pirates. Whether you’re catching up after a series, looking ahead to what’s next, Mackey's got you covered on the Pirates Insider Podcast
Episodes
78 episodes
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 79 (9/4 Why Thursday's win mattered)
The Pirates stayed on schedule by wrapping up a series victory over the Giants. What was unique about the way the Pirates scored? Also, Khristian Curtis was recalled and made another positive impression. Jack Mangum was a "spark plug" for...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 78 (9/3 This was one they needed to have)
The Pirates suffered a 5-4 loss in 10 inning to the Giants on Wednesday. It was a game they absolutely had to have. What happened in the fifth inning? The bigger story was Carmen Mlodzinski and why the Pirates took him out after three innings a...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 77 (9/2 Winning ugly matters, too)
The Pirates' win over the Giants on Tuesday was not a Mozart. However, they did what they needed to do to keep hope alive during this homestand. What mattered about the Pirates' big third inning? Are there concerns for the bullpen? What about P...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 76 (9/1 What's happened with the bullpen?)
Mason Montgomery was one of the best relievers in baseball in August. What has led to that? Furthermore, how did the Pirates become one of the best bullpens since the MLB Trade Deadline? With rosters expanding Tuesday, who are the candidates on...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 75 (8/31 Still hope for the Pirates?)
The Pirates finished their road trip at 4-5, but they've won four of five series. What does that mean for this homestand? And, is there still a chance? One thing that has become a weapon: their bullpen. What sort of get-right performances did t...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 74 (8/28 Mailbag edition)
What did Paul Skenes find in his last start, and what does that mean moving forward? Will the lockout have anything to do with Bob Nutting's after-the-season decision-making on Ben Cherington? What future does Endy Rodriguez have with the Pirat...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 73 (8/27 RISP issues & starting pitching)
The Pirates couldn't pull off a sweep of the Padres. The culprit wasn't hard to identify: They struggled hitting with runners in scoring position. What was the damage and how can they fix it? Also, the starting pitching was very good in this se...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 72 (8/26 Did Paul Skenes find something?)
Paul Skenes had his best start in some time against the Padres. What led to it and why should Pirates feel encouraged moving forward? Oneil Cruz homered in the ninth off Mason Miller. What did that say about his maturity? Lastly, the bullpen ha...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 71 (8/25 Nick Gonzales saves the day)
The Pirates were 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position and had stranded 12 before Nick Gonzales came through in the clutch. What about big innings for Kirby Yates and Yohan Ramirez? Also, the Pirates got a few more big performances from rel...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 70 (8/24 What went wrong in Dodgers series?)
The Pirates lost three games to the Dodgers over the weekend. What was the difference? Ben Cherington believes this team is still capable of making a run. What would have to happen for that to be the case? Lastly, Khristian Curtis was a bright ...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 69 (8/21 Nine storylines for road trip)
The Pirates are starting what could be a season-defining road trip. In this episode of the Pirates Inside Podcast, Jason Mackey dives into nine storylines to follow. They range from the quality of the opponents to Paul Skenes, the fifth start s...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 68 (8/20 Most important win of the year?)
Brandon Lowe walked it off, and Rafael Flores Jr. hit two home runs despite not being in the starting lineup. Why do both of those individual stories matter so much? And why was this potentially the biggest win of the year for the Pirates? Also...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 67 (8/19 Ashcraft, Oneil Cruz play the hits)
We've seen this movie before. Oneil Cruz hit a key home run in his first game back. Meanwhile, Braxton Ashcraft nearly replicated his career-best start. What went into both of those? And what do they mean for the Pirates' chances moving forward...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 66 (8/18 What to do with Carmen Mlodzinski?)
Carmen Mlodzinski struggled during the Pirates' 8-5 loss to the Tigers on Monday night at PNC Park. What gave him trouble? And what should the Pirates do about his role? Before the game, the Pirates got some good news on Oneil Cruz, Konnor Grif...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 65 (8/17 Red Sox series represented progress)
The Pirates beat the Red Sox, 8-3, on Sunday at PNC Park to win the series. What did the bullpen show us? Also, what is there to take out of the offensive side, especially as it relates to Esmerlyn Valdez, Bryan Reynolds and Brandon Lowe? Ben C...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 64 (8/14 The impact of Braxton Ashcraft's gem)
Braxton Ashcraft was outstanding Thursday against the Marlins. What led to it? And what about that relationship with Rafael Flores Jr.? Speaking of Flores, with Endy Rodriguez going on the IL again, what does that mean for his situation. The Pi...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 63 (8/13 Don Kelly unhappy with fight shown)
The Pirates lost again to the Marlins, this time by an 8-2 score at loanDepot Park. Carmen Mlodzinski struggled, the offense was once again quiet, and mistakes cost the Pirates. But the bigger story might've been postgame, when Don Kelly said h...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 62 (8/12 Why did they pull Paul Skenes?)
The Pirates suffered a 2-0 loss to the Marlins at loanDepot Park on Tuesday. Why did the Pirates pull Paul Skenes after just innings and 65 pitches? And, is there any greater concern moving forward? Jason Mackey discusses that, as well as a few...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 60 (8/10 Something needs to change -- now)
The Pirates finished a stretch of 17 games in 17 days at 5-12, obviously not good enough. Jared Jones allowed eight earned runs over three-plus innings. Same deal. Something has to change. The Pirates are 5.5 games out of the final Wild Card sp...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 59 (8/7 What now after difficult road trip?)
Brandon Lowe offered some important perspective after the Pirates' 5-2 loss to the Brewers on Thursday. What needs to happen for them against the Mets? Also, let's talk about playing better baseball, the offense and Braxton Ashcraft's start. Wh...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 58 (8/6 Offense, Paul Skenes fail to get back on track)
Both the Pirates and Paul Skenes could use some positive momentum. They didn't get it Wednesday against the Brewers. What frustrated Skenes? Why did the Pirates have problems with Milwaukee starter Kyle Harrison? Before the game, the Pirates re...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 57 (8/5 Slow night for offense, Jones frustrated)
The Pirates lost, 4-2, to the Brewers on Tuesday. What's going on with the offense? Jared Jones was also frustrated with himself. Why? We breakdown that, as well as some individual performances that need to change soon. Jason Mackey also talks ...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 56 (8/4 Trade deadline special!)
The Pirates added right-handed relievers Luke Weaver, Kirby Yates and Lake Bachar at the trade deadline. What do they like about those guys and how do they fit? Also, Mitch Keller was lost for the season with a teres major muscle injury. Who ta...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 55 (8/3 Frustration in Cincy and Doval deal)
The Pirates dropped three of four in Cincinnati. On Sunday, Mitch Keller struggled a bunch. What went wrong? And what needs to change for the Pirates to snap out of this funk? They also made a trade Saturday, acquiring Camilo Doval from the Yan...
Pirates Insider Podcast, Episode 54 (7/31 Loss can't become something more)
The Reds were one run better than the Pirates on Thursday. There were mistakes, sure. But reality is that they've lost three in a row and eight of 13. This can't continue. Yohan Ramirez, Hunter Barco and Noah Murdock bent but didn't break. Bran...