Pirates Next Month Presents Major Challenge - And Opportunity
Pirates Next Month Presents Major Challenge - And Opportunity
The Pittsburgh Pirates are about to start a pivotal stretch against tough opponents. Ethan Merrill|
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Pittsburgh PiratesPITTSBURGH — The schedule makers dealt the Pittsburgh Pirates a hand that could define their season. As the team returns to PNC Park for a critical homestand, the next month presents a crucible of competition that will likely determine if the Pirates are buyers or sellers at the trade deadline.
Pittsburgh currently sits at 39-39, a .500 record that places them fourth in the National League Central, 8.5 games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers. However, the outlook isn't entirely bleak. The Pirates are just 1.5 games out of a Wild Card spot, a position that has left the fanbase in a state of tense anticipation.
The path forward, however, is potentially season-defining. Over the next 38 games, a stretch that brings them to the beginning of August and MLB's trade deadline on August 3rd, Pittsburgh will face 32 contests against teams currently sporting winning records.
The gauntlet begins Tuesday night against the Seattle Mariners and continues with series against the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves, and the Milwaukee Brewers. Following the All-Star break, the schedule doesn't relent with road trips to Cleveland and New York, before returning home for dates with the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks. The month of July ends with a road trip to Cincinnati. August begins with a four game set in Milwaukee, a series with the trade deadline in the middle.
The lone team on the docket currently below .500 is the Cincinnati Reds, who sit at 37-39. However, with divisional games often carrying extra weight, the Reds could easily be playing at a winning clip by the time they visit Pittsburgh, making even those series a potential challenge.
This brutal stretch is the measuring stick for a team that has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency. The Pirates are just 4-6 in their last ten games and lost a recent series in Denver against the worst team in baseball, the Colorado Rockies. Meanwhile, the bullpen continues to be a point of concern, ranking 20th in the majors with a 4.46 ERA.
A Fork in the Road
The results of the next month will have direct implications for the team's strategy at the trade deadline. With a reported willingness to trade their competitive balance draft pick (34th overall) and a desire to improve the roster, the Pirates are signaling a readiness to compete. However, a poor showing against this stretch of elite competition could pivot the front office towards a less aggressive approach to the deadline.
Series Preview: Seattle Mariners (39-37)
This pivotal month-plus begins with a three-game series at PNC Park against the Seattle Mariners, the leaders of the American League West. The Mariners arrive with a 39-37 record, also having won four of their last ten games, though they are still looking to take control of their division.
Seattle brings a formidable pitching staff to Pittsburgh, a unit that ranks fifth in baseball with a 3.62 team ERA. The Pirates are expected to face right-handers George Kirby (5-7, 4.10 ERA), Bryan Woo (6-5, 3.94 ERA), and Bryce Miller (3-1, 1.58 ERA). Kirby has struggled recently, losing five of his last six starts, but has a history of success against the Pirates.
The Pirates will counter with their own trio of right-handers: Mitch Keller (5-4, 4.92 ERA), Braxton Ashcraft (6-3, 3.18 ERA), and Bubba Chandler (2-7, 4.62 ERA). Keller is coming off a promising start where he allowed just one earned run over 5.1 innings, showing signs of turning a corner after a rough patch.
Offensively, the Mariners possess pop, ranking ninth in MLB with 98 home runs. Julio Rodriguez and Luke Raley lead the team with 14 homers apiece, while Dominic Canzone has been a force with a .915 OPS. However, Seattle has struggled to score consistently, averaging just 4.26 runs per game, and their lineup has been hampered by injuries to key position players like Randy Arozarena.
The series opener is set for Tuesday night at PNC Park. With the season's most challenging stretch looming, the Pirates know they cannot afford to stumble out of the gate.
Key Stats
- Righting the Ship?: 3.14 ERA for Pirates pitching staff is 7th in MLB over last seven days
- Seattle Throwing Seeds : 2.83 ERA for Mariners pitching staff is 3rd in MLB over last seven days
- The Pirates and Mariners have met a total of 26 times. The Mariners lead the series 17-9.
Probable Pitchers & Matchups
Game 1: June 23, 6:40 PM at PNC Park
- PIT: RHP Mitch Keller (5-4, 4.92 ERA, 65 K)
- SEA: RHP George Kirby (5-7, 4.10 ERA, 79 K)
- Key Battle: Keller vs Mariners OF Julio Rodriguez (2-for-3, 1 HR, 3 RBI in three career AB against Keller)
Game 2: June 24, 6:40 PM at PNC Park
- PIT: RHP Braxton Ashcraft (6-3, 3.18 ERA, 97 K)
- SEA: RHP Bryan Woo (6-5, 3.94 ERA, 88 K)
- Key Battle: Ashcraft vs Mariners C Cal Raleigh (0-for-1 in one career AB against Ashcraft)
Game 3: June 25, 12:35 PM at PNC Park
- PIT: RHP Bubba Chandler (2-7, 4.62 ERA, 69 K)
- SEA: RHP Bryce Miller (3-1, 1.58 ERA, 43 K)
- Key Battle: Chandler vs Mariners 3B Colt Emerson (First career matchup)
Players to Watch
- SP Braxton Ashcraft (PIT): 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K in last start against Athletics
- OF Bryan Reynolds (PIT): .500/.500/1.050, 3 HR, 2 2B 9 RBI over last seven days
- DH Dominic Canzone (SEA): 2 HR, 4 RBI over last seven days
- SP Bryan Woo (SEA): 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 9 K in last start against Baltimore
Published 10 seconds ago
ETHAN MERRILLEthan Merrill is from Grand Rapids, MI, and brings with him a diverse background of experiences. After graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in journalism, he worked with the Arizona Diamondbacks for three seasons before settling in the Pittsburgh area in 2020. With a passion for sports and a growing connection to his community, Ethan brings a fresh perspective to covering the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
