Braxton Ashcraft Might Already Be the Pirates’ No. 2 Starter

The Pittsburgh Pirates were cruising toward another strong NL Central win before everything unraveled in the 9th inning against the St. Louis Cardinals. Neil and DiNardo break down a brutal late-game collapse, Dennis Santana’s rare meltdown, the decision-making around the bullpen game, whether Don Kelly deserves blame, and why pulling Wilber Dotel after four strong innings became a major talking point after the loss. They also get into the Pirates offense going quiet after the early runs, Jake Mangum’s costly baserunning mistake, Marcelo Ozuna’s continued struggles, and why this loss stings more because of where the Pirates are in the standings and how big this week is against the Cardinals and Reds. It was a frustrating one, but the Pirates are still in a good spot. Now the question is how quickly they can respond. Subscribe to North Shore Nine for Pirates postgame shows, analysis, and year-round coverage. Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show! NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com ►Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine ►Website: https://www.northshorenine.com ►Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine ►Discord: https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Pittsburgh Pirates just took two out of three from the Milwaukee Brewers, and now their biggest week of the season is here. On today’s Bucco Brew, we break down why this seven-game homestand against the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds could be a real early-season measuring stick in the NL Central. The Pirates have been stacking series wins, playing better baseball, and now have a chance to create separation in a division where every team is currently above .500. We also dive into Nick Gonzales’ recent stretch, Oneil Cruz’s role at the top of the lineup, the Pirates’ production with runners in scoring position, and why the bullpen has started to look much more stable after a shaky start. Mason Montgomery, Yohan Ramirez, Dennis Santana, Gregory Soto, Isaac Mattson and the rest of the relief group have helped turn one of the early concerns into a much better-looking part of the roster. Are the Pirates ready to prove they’re a real NL Central contender? @eddiep_photos @timelessimagery.mtl Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show! NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com ►Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine ►Website: https://www.northshorenine.com ►Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine ►Discord: https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jared Jones is getting closer to returning to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and his first rehab start with Bradenton could put him on track to rejoin the rotation by late May. But once Jones is ready, the Pirates will have a real decision to make. Alex Stumpf breaks down where Jones fits, why his fastball/slider combo still gives the Pirates a different look, and how his return could impact Carmen Mlodzinski’s role. Could Mlodzinski move back to the bullpen? Should the Pirates use an opener with him? Is a six-man rotation realistic? And how much should Pittsburgh value starting pitching depth while leaning on one of the most talented rotations of the Ben Cherington era? On today’s OffBeat, we look at the Pirates’ upcoming rotation crunch and why Jared Jones’ return could be both a huge boost and a difficult roster decision. Subscribe to Book-Rule Bucs Substack: https://bookrulebucs.substack.com/ Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ZY250XUYiS-yX7xOQCdLA/join Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show! NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com ►Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine ►Website: https://www.northshorenine.com ►Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine ►Discord: https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Pittsburgh Pirates missed a chance to sweep the Milwaukee Brewers, falling 5-0 in a rough offensive showing at American Family Field. Jim and DiNardo break down a game where the Pirates managed just two hits, struck out 18 times, and had no answer for Kyle Harrison, who dominated over six shutout innings. They also discuss the Sunday lineup decisions, Joey Bart’s continued struggles, whether Rafael Flores should become part of the catching conversation, and Carmen Mlodzinski’s second straight shaky start. Even with the ugly loss, the Pirates still took two of three in Milwaukee, finished the road trip 3-3, and are now 6-3 against NL Central opponents, all on the road. So how much should fans actually worry about one bad game? The guys also touch on the bullpen’s strong road trip, the upcoming Cardinals series, Mason Montgomery opening tomorrow, and why the bigger picture still looks much better than the final score did today. Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show! NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com ►Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine ►Website: https://www.northshorenine.com ►Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine ►Discord: https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pirates survive in Milwaukee and take another road series from an NL Central opponent. Tyler and Neil break down the 6-3 extra-inning win over the Brewers, including Mitch Keller’s steady start, Don Kelly’s quick hook to Isaac Mattson, another strong night from the bullpen, and how the offense found a way against Jacob Misiorowski’s ridiculous velocity. Plus, Konnor Griffin keeps showing signs, Nick Gonzales keeps finding RBIs, and the Pirates move to 16-11 with another win that feels a little more real than lucky. Subscribe to North Shore Nine for more Pirates postgame coverage, analysis, and daily conversation all season long. Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show! NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com ►Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine ►Website: https://www.northshorenine.com ►Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine ►Discord: https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m #pittsburghpirates ️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4776784802611200 ️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4776784802611200 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Edward Florentino has quickly become one of the most exciting names in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system, and this week on Bucs On Deck, Jim and Anthony Murphy take a closer look at why the young outfield prospect is generating so much attention. After a huge 2025 breakout between the complex league and Bradenton, Florentino is already viewed as one of the Pirates’ top prospects and one of the more intriguing young hitters in the organization. The guys discuss his advanced approach, power potential, ability to lift the baseball, strong contact numbers, center field outlook, and what he still needs to prove as he moves toward Greensboro. They also dive into how Florentino compares to recent Pirates prospect risers like Konnor Griffin, what his platoon splits against left-handed pitching could mean, and whether he has a chance to move quickly through the system this season. Subscribe to North Shore Nine for more Pittsburgh Pirates prospect coverage every Saturday morning on Bucs On Deck. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Paul Skenes was nearly perfect, Konnor Griffin had the first big moment of his young career, and the Pirates rolled to a 6-0 win over the Brewers in a massive early-season NL Central matchup. On this NS9 Postgame Show powered by Primanti Bros., DiNardo and Tyler break down Skenes taking a perfect game into the seventh inning, how efficient and dominant he looked, and why a no-hitter feels like it is only a matter of time. They also dive into Konnor Griffin’s huge 20th birthday performance, including his home run, three-hit night, stolen base, and what it means to see him start building confidence at the MLB level. Plus, the guys discuss the Pirates’ aggressive style of play, Tony Beasley sending runners, the Brewers looking sloppy defensively, Nick Gonzales continuing to come through in key spots, and why this win felt like a real glimpse at what this Pirates team can become. Subscribe to North Shore Nine for more Pirates postgame coverage, analysis, and daily conversation all season long. Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show! NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com ►Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine ►Website: https://www.northshorenine.com ►Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine ►Discord: https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are off to a much better start, but there’s one problem: the rest of the NL Central looks good, too. On this episode of OffBeat, Alex Stumpf breaks down why the Pirates’ path to the postseason may be tougher than expected, even if they continue playing competitive baseball. The Cardinals are young and interesting, the Reds have a similar pitching-first formula, the Cubs have high-end offensive talent, and the Brewers remain the team Alex refuses to doubt until they’re officially out of it. Alex ranks the biggest NL Central threats to the Pirates, explains why Milwaukee still feels like the division favorite, and looks at how Pittsburgh stacks up in a race that could legitimately produce multiple playoff teams. Subscribe to North Shore Nine for daily Pirates coverage, analysis, and insight from Alex Stumpf. Subscribe to Book-Rule Bucs: https://bookrulebucs.substack.com Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show! NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com ►Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine ►Website: https://www.northshorenine.com ►Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine ►Discord: https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Pirates dropped the series finale to the Texas Rangers, losing 6-1 on a rough night against Jacob deGrom. Bubba Chandler battled traffic early before Texas broke the game open, while Oneil Cruz provided the lone Pirates run with his eighth home run of the season. Jim and Neil break down Chandler’s command issues, why this start should not create panic, Konnor Griffin’s early MLB adjustment period, the missed bases-loaded chance in the sixth, and why the Pirates still sit in a good spot despite losing two of three in Texas. They also look ahead to the Milwaukee series with Paul Skenes set to take the mound. Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show! NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com ►Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine ►Website: https://www.northshorenine.com ►Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine ►Discord: https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Braxton Ashcraft turned in one of the best starts by a Pirates pitcher this season, and Alex Stumpf breaks down why it mattered far beyond the box score. From the efficiency, to the pitch mix, to the in-game adjustments, this episode of OffBeat looks at why Ashcraft’s latest outing felt like a major step forward. Alex dives into Ashcraft’s seven-inning performance, how his slider and sinker worked together, why his ability to self-correct stood out, and what this could mean for the Pirates rotation moving forward. If Braxton Ashcraft keeps pitching like this, the conversation around his role in Pittsburgh is only going to get louder. Subscribe to North Shore Nine for more Pirates coverage, analysis, and daily insight from Alex Stumpf. Subscribe to Book-Rule Bucs: https://bookrulebucs.substack.com Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show! NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com ►Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine ►Website: https://www.northshorenine.com ►Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine ►Discord: https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m #pittsburghpirates Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.