Honest Wagner

How to BUNT

2012-01-10T03:08:00.001-05:00

Time to start thinking about the important stuff.

Playoffs

2012-01-08T14:16:00.002-05:00

So far this New Year feels just like any other, where the Steelers and Bucs both win championships.

In the dark

2011-12-19T21:49:00.003-05:00

Get out your candlesticks.

The Bucs should consider pausing games with transformer explosions when they're losing, especially on SkyBlast.

Early Bucco Christmas

2011-12-17T03:28:00.002-05:00

First Frodo, now Sean Casey.

NFL week 12-13: wins

2011-12-06T03:14:00.002-05:00

One has to wonder when the NFL will realize that these essentially meaningless games could be more efficiently replaced with a playoff bye system where superior teams like the Steelers wouldn't have to go through the motions of the regular season.

Astros demoted to AL

2011-11-17T14:02:00.000-05:00

Good riddance.

Occupy First Place

2011-11-17T03:08:00.002-05:00

The tents are restful up here.

NFL week 10: Steelers 24, Bengals 17

2011-11-15T22:49:00.002-05:00

Nowhere better to rest than first place.

NFL week 9: Ravens at Steelers

2011-11-07T02:05:00.002-05:00

Missed the last minute or so of this one, but am celebrating the magical victory. For no reason however, as these pre-playoff games don't matter much either way.

NFL week 8: Patriots at Steelers

2011-10-30T14:16:00.002-04:00

Enjoying Arizona's beat-down of Baltimore as a pre-game appetizer. Go Whis.

NFL week 7: Steelers 32, Cardinals 20

2011-10-25T00:57:00.002-04:00

The eternal defending World Champion Steelers are in first place. Again.

World Series: Bye

2011-10-17T01:23:00.001-04:00

The Bucs will face the winner of the Rangers vs. Cardinals in the World Championship. For now, rest.

NFL week 6: Steelers 17, Jaguars 13

2011-10-17T01:17:00.002-04:00

Steelers win, but Tomlin needs work on his really strong, slap, grab handshake.

NLCS: Bye

2011-10-10T00:46:00.000-04:00

The Bucs are resting peacefully, passed out at a red light with their shirts untucked.

NFL week 5: Titans at Steelers

2011-10-10T00:30:00.003-04:00

Starks wins game ball, Couch Nation celebrates.

NLDS: Bye

2011-10-02T21:55:00.001-04:00

The Bucs rest up during their bye and watch the other playoff teams fight for second place.

NFL Week 4: Steelers at Texans

2011-10-02T21:41:00.002-04:00

Ben would get more rest on a segway than on crutches.

Game 162: Pirates at Brewers

2011-09-28T23:22:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to the World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates! Ever since the Bucs were in first place, it's been hard to believe such a magically entertaining year.

Game 161: Pirates at Brewers

2011-09-27T23:59:00.000-04:00

New guy Matt Pagnozzi is no stranger to the BUNT.

Game 160: Pirates at Brewers

2011-09-26T21:28:00.002-04:00

One of the Charlie Mortons is leading the Pirates to a 4-2 advantage in this one, now in the fourth.

NFL Week 3: Steelers at Colts

2011-09-25T18:40:00.001-04:00

Steelers look to keep the magical season rolling with a big win tonight on SNF.

Game 159: Reds at Pirates

2011-09-25T03:04:00.002-04:00

Although our statistical analyses will be presented behind the pay wall at HW-plus, it's looking like if you correct for missed BUNTs and baserunning gaffes, the Pirates will represent the NL in the World Series. Again.

Game 158: Reds at Pirates

2011-09-24T01:47:00.002-04:00

Four score and seven months ago, the Bucs also won 70% of their games.

Game 157: Reds at Pirates

2011-09-23T01:54:00.002-04:00

John Locke will try to BUNT the Bucs over the 70% winning percentage mark that they haven't touched since 2004. Good times.

Playoffs

2011-09-22T02:41:00.002-04:00

Players and fans should use the off day to rest up for the Bucs' first round bye.

Game 156: Pirates at D-backs

2011-09-21T13:39:00.002-04:00

Ohlendorf will clinch home field advantage this afternoon.

Game 155: Pirates at D-backs

2011-09-20T02:49:00.002-04:00

Blissful rest to prepare for the playoffs continues.

The Bucs are just two games away from clinching a first round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Game 154: Pirates at D-backs

2011-09-19T02:06:00.002-04:00

The Bucs will rest most of their starters tonight for the playoffs. Game starts at 9:40.

Off day

2011-09-18T17:12:00.001-04:00

The Bucs take the day off today. Yeah, that's it.

NFL Game 1: Seahawks at Steelers

2011-09-18T13:48:00.001-04:00

Steelers up 14-0 in the second quarter in the season opener.

Game 152: Pirates at Dodgers

2011-09-17T21:24:00.002-04:00

McDonald and Lilly starting soon.

The Bucs are 10 bunts back and it feels like the season is starting to slip away.

Game 151: Pirates at Dodgers

2011-09-16T12:55:00.001-04:00

There will be baseball tonight, in Los Angeles, after the children are all in bed.

Locke and Kuroda will start.

Game 150: Pirates at Dodgers

2011-09-15T22:44:00.001-04:00

Ohlendorf just hit a three-run dinger, putting the Bucs up 4-1 in the second.

Game 149: Cardinals at Pirates

2011-09-14T14:57:00.002-04:00

Late in a day game, and the Pirates are working on their ~~82nd loss~~ 68th win.

Game 148: Cardinals at Pirates

2011-09-13T11:35:00.001-04:00

Karstens and Carpenter at seven.

The Cardinals are 6.5 games back, passed out at a red light.

Game 147: Cardinals at Pirates

2011-09-12T03:37:00.002-04:00

Lincoln and Lohse at seven. The Cards are six games back in the division and 4.5 games back in the wild-card, and unlike the Bucs, have not yet clinched a spot in the playoffs.

Game 146: Marlins at Pirates

2011-09-11T16:19:00.001-04:00

Huntington extended three years. Bucs lose again.

Last preseason game

2011-09-11T16:16:00.003-04:00

The Steelers will use today's last meaningless preseason game to experiment with different looks, like turning the ball over many many times.

Game 145: Marlins at Pirates

2011-09-10T17:03:00.000-04:00

Troy Polamalu will retire a Steeler.

Game 144: Marlins at Pirates

2011-09-09T17:49:00.001-04:00

Nolasco and Ohlendorf at seven.

Pirates are 66-77 with football season starting any day now.

Off day

2011-09-08T18:35:00.001-04:00

Take a day off.

Game 143: Astros at Pirates

2011-09-07T02:38:00.001-04:00

Burres and Happ at seven. If it wasn't for Happ, this entire contest would be hapless.

Game 142: Astros at Pirates

2011-09-06T23:58:00.001-04:00

When Moskos strikes somebody out, even if no bunts are laid down the entire evening, the Bucs WIN in my book.

Game 141: Astros at Pirates

2011-09-05T13:47:00.002-04:00

Sosa and McDonald after this delay.

Pirates are 64-76. Will need to finish 17-6 to break even.

Game 140: Pirates at Cubs

2011-09-04T09:46:00.002-04:00

Morton and Wells at 2:20.

Welcome back, Long Balls.

Game 139: Pirates at Cubs

2011-09-03T11:47:00.001-04:00

Ross Ohlendorf and Gary Coleman at one. Lee and McCutchen return.

Game 138: Pirates at Cubs

2011-09-02T02:56:00.002-04:00

Brian Burres and Ryan Dempster at 2:20, with win #63 on the line.

Game 137: Dodgers at Pirates

2011-09-01T03:49:00.001-04:00

Lincoln and Eveland at four.

The Bucs need to win one game to prevent another 100-loss season.

Game 136: Pirates at Astros

2011-08-31T02:16:00.002-04:00

McDonald and Happ at eight. Happ has won 4 games and lost 15.

Advantage: Bucs (for being Happ-less).

Game 135: Pirates at Astros

2011-08-30T02:45:00.002-04:00

Charlie Morton and Henry Sosa face off at eight. The maximum number of strikeouts per 9 inning game is 54.

Game 134: Pirates at Astros

2011-08-29T10:57:00.001-04:00

Ross and Wandy at eight. The hapless Astros are 44-90.

Game 133: Pirates at Cardinals

2011-08-28T15:55:00.000-04:00

Pirates down 5-4 in the fifth.

Game 132: Pirates at Cardinals

2011-08-27T09:52:00.001-04:00

Lincoln and Carpenter at 4.

Pirates are 17 games out of first and 9 games under .500.

Game 131: Pirates at Cardinals

2011-08-26T16:33:00.002-04:00

McDonald and Westbrook at eight.

After the game, maybe someone will take a nap in a car, at a stoplight.

Game 130: Pirates at Cardinals

2011-08-25T03:43:00.002-04:00

Morton and Jackson at 8:15. The Bucs must win to keep playoff hopes alive.

Game 129: Brewers at Pirates

2011-08-24T02:49:00.002-04:00

Aaron Thompson, seven year minor league veteran, makes his MLB debut at 12:35. Speaking of seven, the Pirates will try to not give up that many runs in one inning again this week.

Game 128: Brewers at Pirates

2011-08-23T04:13:00.002-04:00

Return of Ohlendorf at seven. Speaking of seven, the Brewers will try to not give up that many runs in one inning again this week.

Game 126 and 127: Brewers at Pirates

2011-08-22T11:53:00.001-04:00

Don't untuck yet, doubleheader today.

Game 125: Reds at Pirates

2011-08-21T14:10:00.002-04:00

Leake and McDonald starting any time now.

The start has been delayed, but it looks like they will get this one in.

Game 124: Reds at Pirates

2011-08-20T15:50:00.001-04:00

Iron Balls and one of the Charlie Mortons try to derail the D-train starting soon.

Game 123: Reds at Pirates

2011-08-19T11:26:00.001-04:00

Correia and Bailey at seven with third place on the line.

Off day

2011-08-18T07:59:00.001-04:00

No game today. Reds this weekend at home, and then more Brewers.

Game 122: Cardinals at Pirates

2011-08-17T02:45:00.002-04:00

Paul, please pitch around Pujols.

Game 121: Cardinals at Pirates

2011-08-16T03:54:00.002-04:00

Karstens and Carpenter at seven. If Newly-Acquired-Upside somehow counted as runs, the Bucs win this game by 100.

Cole and Bell sign

2011-08-16T00:06:00.002-04:00

SI's Jon Heyman reports. Wow. We are having a Slot-Busting Party on the roof of the Beer Fort. Upside for everyone!

Game 120: Cardinals at Pirates

2011-08-15T02:46:00.002-04:00

McDonald and Westbrook at seven.

Meanwhile, the draft deadline hovers at midnight. Must. Sign. Upside.

Game 119: Pirates at Brewers

2011-08-14T04:02:00.002-04:00

Morton and Marcum at two. From deep within the Beer Fort, I smell a WIN.

Game 118: Pirates at Brewers

2011-08-13T15:05:00.001-04:00

Correia and Erik Estrada at four. Derrek Lee texts Armando Rios with his one good hand.

Game 117: Pirates at Brewers

2011-08-12T02:43:00.002-04:00

Maholm and hidden vigorish take on Greinke at eight with the pennant on the line. Prepare to untuck.

Off day

2011-08-11T04:10:00.002-04:00

The Bucs rest today, and watch video of Nyjer Morgan in preparation for the Brewers tomorrow.

The losing streak not surprisingly has hurt the playoff odds, which have dipped to 75.5%.

Game 116: Pirates at Giants

2011-08-10T03:16:00.003-04:00

Karstens vs. Sanchez in a day game. Bucs must win to keep playoff hopes alive.

Game 115: Pirates at Giants

2011-08-09T02:10:00.002-04:00

McDonald and Bumgarner at ten.

We shudder to think that before yesterday an entire cohort of zero-to-ten-day-olds had never tasted a WIN.

Game 114: Pirates at Giants

2011-08-08T02:21:00.002-04:00

Charlie Morton swaggers into San Francisco to take on the New and Improved Ryan Vogelsong and Jeff Keppinger at ten. Playoff implications abound.

Game 113: Padres at Pirates

2011-08-07T03:37:00.002-04:00

Correia and Latos this afternoon. The Bucs need to swagger and BUNT to victory.

Game 112: Padres at Pirates

2011-08-06T18:24:00.002-04:00

Skyblast! Bad baseball to be followed by even worse music. Game starts soon.

Maholm and Iron Balls take on some no-name guy. Pedro gets the night off. Derrek Lee is busy in the trainer's room, reading texts from Armando Rios.

Game 111: Padres at Pirates

2011-08-05T13:06:00.003-04:00

Karstens hosts the Harangutan and the last-place hapless Padres at seven.

We just got the Win Meter back from the shop, and it's glowing green and beeping loudly.

Game 110: Cubs at Pirates

2011-08-04T04:03:00.002-04:00

McDonald and Lopez at seven.

It would be magically exciting to see Ludwick BUNT. Again.

Game 109: Cubs at Pirates

2011-08-03T03:37:00.002-04:00

Home Run Derby, featuring only Derrek "Long Balls" Lee (aka Operation Moonshot), starts tonight at seven. One of the Charlie Mortons will pitch.

All four wings of the Beer Fort are either on fire or smoldering. Must. Win. Now.

Game 108: Cubs at Pirates

2011-08-02T00:18:00.002-04:00

~~Derrek Lee~~ Home Run Derby starts at seven.

We're still working on a new nickname for the 2011 World Series MVP. Leon? D-Manlee? D-Leong Ball? Jose DeLeeong Ball? Derrek Ballgame? Bill MazeroskLee? Roberto ClementLee? WilLee Stargell?

Game 107: Cubs at Pirates

2011-08-01T10:57:00.002-04:00

Derrek Lee, Ryan Ludwick, and Maholm lead the new look Bucs vs. Zambrano at seven.

Game 106: Pirates at Phillies

2011-07-31T13:33:00.002-04:00

Karstens and Worley starting now. Overbay gets his likely final start at 1B with Lee joining the team tomorrow. With the deadline approaching, no other trades reported yet.

Bucs trade for Derrek Lee

2011-07-31T01:26:00.003-04:00

Bucs trade minor league 1B Aaron Baker to the Orioles for Derrek Lee and cash, the Baltimore Sun reports.

The only red flag here is that Derrek Lee has not laid down a bunt since 2004, and has only 2 in nearly 8000 plate appearances. As long as D-Lee is willing to work within the new system and work on his bunting game, this is a huge win for the Bucs and their playoff roster.

Game 105: Pirates at Phillies

2011-07-30T15:16:00.002-04:00

McDonald and Lee at seven.

Iron Balls McKenry: 666 OPS on the season, 790 OPS in July, 935 OPS the last seven days.

Game 104: Pirates at Phillies

2011-07-29T13:12:00.001-04:00

Roy Halladay and one of his clones, a Charlie Morton, at seven.

Andrew McCutchen #2 in NL for WAR.

Game 103: Pirates at Braves

2011-07-28T14:46:00.001-04:00

Correia, Lowe, and (hopefully) the return of Iron Balls at seven.

Game 102: Pirates at Braves

2011-07-27T08:20:00.007-04:00

Maholm and Jurrjens at seven.

Last night's six-hour, nineteen-inning game ended with the most egregious blown call, in any sport, I've ever seen. I've watched a lot of sports. Seriously, that has to be the worst call by a baseball umpire ever.

Game 101: Pirates at Braves

2011-07-26T11:37:00.002-04:00

Karstens, Pedro, and Fort Iron City Balls take on the Hanson Brothers at seven.

Game 100: Pirates at Braves

2011-07-25T10:16:00.001-04:00

McDonald and Hudson at seven.

First place again. Playoff odds rising.

Game 99: Cardinals at Pirates

2011-07-24T10:13:00.002-04:00

Lohse and Morton at 1:30.

Kids Jose Tabata jersey day.

This is a real public service for all thirteen-year-old boys out to impress the college girls.

Game 98: Cardinals at Pirates

2011-07-23T13:37:00.002-04:00

Garcia and Correia at seven.

Pirates will wear the Grays uniforms.

I will do the same in the beer fort, and juggle sparklers afterwards.

Game 97: Cardinals at Pirates

2011-07-21T12:28:00.004-04:00

Friday at seven: Carpenter and Maholm.

Pirates are six games up, and they should be getting some players back over the weekend.

I am curious to see how anticipated whipping-boy Pedro Alvarez would fare if promoted to the Show to work on that 587 OPS. Any talk about bringing him up should be grounded in the fact that his 2011 season has been a huge bust to date. It's not Ryan Braun we'd be getting back.

That said, I was looking around at various pre-season projections and whatever he did in 2010, was clearly promising for a man his age. ZIPS suggested a 116 OPS+ and 116 RBI with 28 HRs in a near-full season. Alvarez looks like the kind of player a budget-minded team would trade for--the next Andy Laroche, maybe.

The Pirates should give him another shot with that in mind. Some of these guys will be for real, and the opportunity to be the team that finds out, is a valuable one that is not to be squandered, especially when Ronny Cedeno might be the third or fourth best hitter on the active roster. He's up to a 924 OPS at AAA. I'd like to see him recalled when hot and then, if he does not hit much in a week, sent down again. I'm not sure if that is practical in terms of minor-league options etc., but this team does not hit so well that they can afford to keep Alvarez down there, destroying minor-league pitching.

Game 96: Reds at Pirates

2011-07-20T06:51:00.002-04:00

Cueto and Karstens at 12:30.

Game 95: Reds at Pirates

2011-07-19T14:49:00.001-04:00

Leake and McDonald at seven.

Good $60 seats available in the baseball club level.

Standing tall

2011-07-19T14:34:00.002-04:00

The Pirates not only in sole possession of first place -- a half game over the Brewers and the Cardinals -- they are also a good six games above .500.

Game 94: Pirates at Reds

2011-07-18T07:37:00.003-04:00

Willis and McDonald at seven.

Pirates are 49-44, and a half-game back of the Cardinals.

The simulations give the Reds a greater chance (~81%) at the playoffs. The Reds are a little more worthy than the hapless Astros, making this series an important test.

It will help answer the question, never far from my mind: "Will the Pirates squeak into the playoffs, or will they win 105 games, like they did last year?"

Game 93: Pirates at Umps

2011-07-17T09:47:00.002-04:00

Pirates could have done a lot of things better last night, sure.

Correia and Rodriguez at two.

Game 92: Pirates at Astros

2011-07-16T12:50:00.001-04:00

Game on at seven.

Maholm and Norris to start.

First Place Party

2011-07-15T23:42:00.001-04:00

Going on up here.

Game 91: Pirates at Astros

2011-07-15T03:42:00.002-04:00

Karstens and Myers at eight. The Bucs are one game back.

Now that the burgeoning baseball market in Pittsburgh could support two MLB franchises, why not move the hapless 30-62 Astros to the AL, as the Pittsburgh Astros? We wouldn't cover them here, of course, but at least they'd have fans show up to make noise.

All Star Break

2011-07-11T13:58:00.000-04:00

That's right, take a break.