John Perrotto

Vince Velasquez Solid in Last Spring Start; Pirates Lose to Orioles 6-4

BRADENTON, Fla. – Vince Velasquez finished a shaky spring training on a good note, but the Pittsburgh Pirates lost to the Baltimore Orioles 6-4 on Saturday night in a Grapefruit League game at LECOM Park. Velasquez pitched one-run ball over five…

Perrotto: Does Appearance of Smoke Mean Fire in Bryan Reynolds Talks? (+)

BRADENTON, Fla. – The news of the day didn’t seem to be very big news. At least, on the surface. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported Friday that the Pittsburgh Pirates have renewed efforts to sign outfielder Bryan Reynolds to a long-term…

San Diego State vs Creighton Odds & Predictions for Elite Eight – Aztecs Open as 2-Point Underdogs

Mar 24, 2023; Louisville, KY, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) reacts after a play during the second half of the NCAA tournament round of sixteen against the Princeton Tigers at KFC YUM! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan…

Pirates May Use Committee Approach at One Infield Position

BRADENTON, Fla. — One of the biggest questions facing the Pittsburgh Pirates coming into spring training was who would be the primary second baseman to begin the season. The Pirates may not have an answer by next Thursday when they open the regular…

Perrotto: First-Round Draft Pick Might Be Realizing Potential (+)

BRADENTON, Fla. – Travis Swaggerty had one simple thought in mind when he reported to spring training. “I came into camp saying I’d control what I can control,” Swaggerty said. The Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect and first-round draft pick in…

Houston vs Miami Odds, Spread & Picks – Cougars Enter Sweet 16 as 7.5-Point Favorite

Houston Cougars guard Marcus Sasser (0) celebrates a score as Auburn Tigers take on Houston Cougars in the second round of NCAA Tournament at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Houston Cougars defeated Auburn Tigers 81-64.…

Johan Oviedo Makes Case for Roster Spot in Pirates’ 7-4 Loss to Red Sox

BRADENTON, Fla. — Johan Oviedo pitched four solid innings in what might have been his last opportunity to win a spot in the Pirates’ rotation as Pittsburgh lost to the Boston Red Sox 7-4 on Thursday in a Grapefruit League game at LECOM Park.…

Kevin Plawecki Opts Out of Minor-League Contract with Pirates

BRADENTON, Fla. — Veteran catcher Kevin Plawecki will not make the Pittsburgh Pirates’ opening-day roster and has opted out of his minor-league contract. The Pirates did not immediately announce the news. However, Plawecki’s locker was empty Thursday…

Perrotto: One Pirates Starting Pitcher Seems Poised for Breakout (+)

JT Brubaker doesn’t necessarily fit the breakout player profile. The Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander is 29 years old. He has compiled a 9-28 in his three-year career in the major leagues. Brubaker’s .243 winning percentage in that span is the worst…

WBC Experience ‘Unbelievable’ for Pirates’ David Bednar

BRADENTON, Fla. – David Bednar can’t get over his experience in the World Baseball Classic. It is doubtful he will anytime soon. The All-Star closer returned to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ spring training camp Thursday morning, two days after the WBC…

Michigan State vs Kansas State Odds, Spread & Picks for Sweet 16

Mar 19, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Malik Hall (25) grabs a rebound over Marquette Golden Eagles forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper (12) during the second round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Nationwide Arena.…

Early College Football Lines Released for 2023 Season

Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart leads his team onto the field during warmups before the CFP national championship game against the TCU Horned Frogs at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY…

Perrotto: Why Rich Hill Keeps Evading Father Time

Today marks the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 35th day of spring training. They still have eight more days in Bradenton, Fla. After that is the regular season in which 162 games are crammed into 184 days. The last game of the season isn’t until Oct. 1 when the…

Pirates Option Luis Ortiz to Triple-A Indianapolis

Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Luis Ortiz will begin the season in the minor leagues. The right-hander was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday along with reliever Yohan Ramirez. Ortiz made four starts for the Pirates at the end of last…

Perrotto: Some Intentional Talk About Pirates’ Intentional Walks (+)

The baseball analytics crowd thinks the intentional walk is a bad managerial move. Working in an organization that employs a seeming endless well of statistical analysts, Pittsburgh Pirates Derek Shelton certainly understands the sentiment. “It is a…

Pitt vs Xavier Odds, Lines & Picks for March Madness Second Round

Xavier Musketeers forward Jerome Hunter (2), Xavier Musketeers guard Colby Jones (3), Xavier Musketeers guard Adam Kunkel (5), Xavier Musketeers forward Jack Nunge (24) and Xavier Musketeers guard Souley Boum (0) huddle between plays in the second…

Perrotto: Pirates Might Follow Ke’Bryan Hayes’ Lead in One Stat Category (+)

A couple of things immediately come to mind about Ke’Bryan Hayes. First and foremost is that the Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman is one of the premier defensive players in the major leagues regardless of position. The only reason he doesn’t have a…

Houston vs Auburn Picks, Odds, & Lines (March 18)

Mar 16, 2023; Birmingham, AL, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson talks with forward Jarace Walker (25) against the Northern Kentucky Norse during the second half in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at Legacy Arena. Mandatory…

Perrotto: Stark Contrast Between ’19 Mitch Keller, ’23 Mitch Keller (+)

It is fitting that the Pittsburgh Pirates will open the season in Cincinnati with Mitch Keller on the mound. Keller will be pitching on March 30 against the Reds at Great American Ball Park, the site of his major league debut on May 27, 2019. Pirates…

Iona vs UConn Odds & Picks – Huskies 8.5-Point Favorites Over Gaels

Mar 4, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Connecticut Huskies forward Adama Sanogo (21) rebounds the ball in front of Villanova Wildcats forward Eric Dixon (43) during the first half at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA…