The Latest Breaking News from Pirates

CINCINNATI — The magic that marked the Pirates’ opening day victory against the Reds did not return. There were no dashes around the basepaths, no crucial, late-inning plays. In fact, the flicker of offense that existed at the beginning of this one didn’t last long at all.

CINCINNATI — If the Pirates are going to achieve their big-picture goal this season — essentially to play a better brand of baseball and start winning games — the recipe they deployed on opening day in Cincinnati is a keeper.

It's time to take the Pirates somewhat seriously again — and kudos to them on a perfectly executed tank job.

The Pirates face two crucial games this weekend as they look to keep their play-off and Scottish Cup hopes afloat.

As a new baseball season finally crept within a week, I tripped over this headline that appeared on the Post-Gazette website at the start of the day:

The Renfrewshire side still have the Scottish Cup and play-offs to look forward to after a poor end to their league campaign.

BRADENTON, Fla. — A noticeable storyline of spring training thus far has been the decent amount of competency found in the Pirates' starting rotation.

Can South Dakota State make another Sweet 16 run?

BRADENTON, Fla. — It is, in many ways, a good problem to have: two talented prospects vying to become the long-term answer at the same position. It's also something of an anomaly. Endy Rodriguez and Henry Davis aren't bitter rivals or enemies. They both want to become the Pirates' catcher…

NEW YORK — When your season comes down to a controversial block at the buzzer, all the gains you’ve made prior to that can seem insignificant.

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Last Monday, switch-hitting Pittsburgh slugger Carlos Santana stepped up to the plate against left-hander José Alvarado in the fourth inning of the Pirates-Phillies Grapefruit League game in Bradenton. The first six pitches of the at-bat went about how you’d expect. Alvarado threw Santana a 98 mph sinker,…