For Mitch Keller, the lack of answers is even more concerning than the results
Pitcher Mitch Keller and manager Don Kelly appear to align with Pittsburgh Pirates fans on the big points. Keller looks to be broken right now, and he needs to be fixed. How to do it and the urgency of the matter seem to be the areas where gaps need to...
Beyond the Bylines: Pirates problems; Steelers signings; Shohei Ohtani debate; Pitt memoriesVideo
Joe Starkey and I opened up this week’s “Beyond the Bylines” talking about the recent problems for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They dropped five of six games to the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers — the two best teams in the National League. Now they welcome the Miami Marlins,...
First Call: ESPN explains Joey Porter Jr.’s place in the CB market; Dodgers address Shohei Ohtani’s knee
Friday’s “First Call” shares an update on Shohei Ohtani after he left Thursday’s game against the Pirates with an injury. We also examine the Pirates’ next opponent, the latest heroics from former Penguin Jordan Staal in the Stanley Cup Final. And we try to get a feel for Joey Porter...
Tim Benz: Like everything else, Steelers’ recent spending strategy tied to future at QB
In one respect, the Steelers’ recent effort to lock up some of their young players before they begin the final years of their entry-level contracts makes sense. For fourth-year players such as Darnell Washington and Nick Herbig (who have already been given contract extensions this month), as well as Joey...
U mad, bro?: Fans call for Paul Skenes trade, get extreme about Nick Herbig contract
For a quiet week in the middle of June, there was certainly a ton of material for “U mad, bro?” And I never even brought up the Morgan Wallen concert! By the way, I heard Wallen never would’ve made it on stage for the second show anyway because his Saturday...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger’s lofty season prediction for the Steelers; Jordan Staal’s fantastic Stanley Cup Final continues
Wednesday’s “First Call” has Ben Roethlisberger’s prediction for the 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers. Ex-Penguin Jordan Staal is making a late push for the Conn Smythe Trophy. Jared Jones tries to match Shohei Ohtani on the mound at PNC Park. And one of the Pirates’ division rivals is heating up. Even better...
Tim Benz: Pirates’ inept loss overshadows most of Paul Skenes’ gainsVideo
The improvements made by Pittsburgh Pirates starter Paul Skenes were decent. The regression by the rest of his teammates after the first inning was massive. The storyline coming into Tuesday’s series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers was Skenes’ quest to rediscover his Cy Young dominance of a year ago...
Former Pirates broadcaster marvels at Shohei Ohtani’s evolution on mound
Former Pittsburgh Pirates play-by-play man Tim Neverett left Pittsburgh for his native New England after the 2015 season. Since then, he’s been a part of four World Series broadcast teams: one in Boston (2018) and three more with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2020, 2024-25). This week, Neverett is back in...
First Call: Alex Highsmith spotted at Steelers practice; NL wild card race heats up
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith has been photographed back at practice. The National League wild card race is thick. Jordan Staal looks to stay hot for Carolina as the nutty Stanley Cup Final continues. All that in “First Call” for Tuesday. Hi, Highsmith! Media members were not allowed to cover...
Tim Benz: Plenty of theories for Paul Skenes’ recent struggles — all to be tested vs. Dodgers
Whatever has been bothering Paul Skenes over the past month, it sure would be great if he could figure it out by about 6:40 p.m. Tuesday. Because if he can’t, the Los Angeles Dodgers will be more than happy to exploit it. Last year’s Cy Young award winner will try...
The Best of the Rest: Debating the best Pittsburgh sports teams that didn’t win a titleVideo
In the sports media business, mistakes happen. Just like the athletes and coaches we cover. No one is perfect. Myself included, for sure. Try as we might. One of those accidents occurred last week. Via social media, The Sporting News posted a list of its best single-season NHL teams. Somewhere...
First Call: Pirates-Dodgers starters revealed; Steelers’ Zach Frazier getting used to O-line shufflingVideo
Monday’s “First Call” has some thoughts from Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier on all the offensive line juggling that has been taking place. Another Cleveland Brown is talking about his future with the franchise, the Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers have their rotations set for this week’s series. And a...
Tim Benz: Braves’ sweep of the Pirates told us what we should’ve already knownVideo
If you are someone who views being swept by the Atlanta Braves as some sort of reality check for the Pittsburgh Pirates, then you’ve got a skewed vision of reality. If you think the Pirates’ failed a test against the Braves, then you’ve been sitting in the wrong classroom. If...
Madden Monday: On Steelers’ contracts — ‘I can’t believe they didn’t tie up (Joey) Porter Jr. first’
Last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed outside linebacker Nick Herbig to a four-year, $100 million contract ($42 million guaranteed). They also gave tight end Darnell Washington a $42 million deal over four years ($21 million guaranteed). Not only that, but an extension for defensive lineman Keeanu Benton could be on...
Tim Benz: What’s next for the Pirates’ Jared Jones-Carmen Mlodzinski combination?Video
The first piggyback experiment with Jared Jones and Carmen Mlodzinski worked out nicely in Houston. Now the question becomes, can the Pirates experiment within the experiment? After Jones pitched five innings of shutout baseball against the Astros — a dramatic improvement from his first start of the year against the...
Tim Benz: Steelers remain undaunted in efforts to maintain a roster with no playoff success
Admittedly, this isn’t the first time I’ve had this thought about the Pittsburgh Steelers. Or written it. Or said it out loud on TV or the radio. However, this spring the organization has made it worth repeating: Man, this team is allocating a ton of money and effort to maintain...
First Call: Cowboys ‘expect’ George Pickens at minicamp; Jordan Staal scores again in Stanley Cup Final
Friday’s “First Call” previews the Pittsburgh Pirates’ trip to Atlanta. Jordan Staal scored again in the Stanley Cup Final. George Pickens’ attendance is in question for Dallas’ minicamp. And we look at the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins’ chances in Game 5 of the Calder Cup Eastern Conference Final. Best of the...
First Call: Ex-Steelers QB Russell Wilson retires; interesting new AFC North angle to the Myles Garrett tradeVideo
Thursday’s “First Call” details Russell Wilson’s retirement. There’s an interesting nugget that has surfaced about the Myles Garrett trade. Steelers star Cameron Heyward gave up some thoughts on the Garrett deal. And we look at a big night for some of the National League’s best pitchers. Russ retires Russell Wilson...
U mad, bro?: Fans snarling about Nick Herbig’s extension, T.J. Watt’s contract, media spat over Carmen Mlodzinski
The Steelers gave a backup linebacker $100 million. A fringe starter for the Pirates pulled a wildcat work action. The Pittsburgh baseball media is grousing about how the team handled that situation. Dracula has been traded out of the AFC North. Now, Steelers fans want their own former All-Pro to...
Tim Benz: The Pirates may have flaws. But who in the NL wild card race doesn’t?
It’s understandable. After making the playoffs just three times since the end of the 1992 National League Championship series, there are plenty of reasons for Pittsburgh Pirates fans to be dubious of their team’s chance at qualifying this year. It’s not just about three decades of pockmarked history, either. This...
First Call: Joey Porter Jr. talks about Steelers’ new defense; Paul Skenes hopes to snap personal 3-game slide as Pirates surge
Joey Porter Jr. is talking about how things may look in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ retooled secondary. Paul Skenes is back on the mound for the Pirates. The NHL Stanley Cup Final is underway. And the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are hoping to draw even in their Eastern Conference playoff series against Toronto....
Tim Benz: After Nick Herbig’s big raise, Steelers must trade an OLB or start playing all 3 at onceVideo
On Tuesday afternoon, reports surfaced that Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Nick Herbig signed a four-year, $100 million contract. It is believed to include $42 million guaranteed. ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reported that Herbig is “thought to be the first non-quarterback to surpass $100 million without starting an entire NFL season in...
Tim Benz: Media fuss over Pirates’ handling of Carmen Mlodzinski is part of a larger conversation
The latest residue from Carmen Mlodzinski’s public pouting over his role with the Pittsburgh Pirates has resulted in a media kerfuffle. Pittsburgh media outlets traveling to cover the team in Houston were apparently informed that Mlodzinski would be addressing his time on the restricted list — and his expected reinstatement...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster has a new team; Pirates open series in Houston against Mike Burrows
Tuesday’s “First Call” has a new home for a former Pittsburgh Steelers fan favorite. An ex-Pirate takes the hill against the Bucs on Tuesday. The Milwaukee Brewers exerted their dominance as leaders of the National League Central. And Monday was a great day in Pittsburgh Penguins history. Big Apple bound...
Tim Benz: Myles Garrett trade opens window for T.J. Watt trade talk, but not a portal to the past
The Cleveland Browns traded two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday. In exchange, Cleveland received Jared Verse. He’s a 25-year-old defensive lineman with 12 career sacks, two Pro Bowl appearances and a Defensive Rookie of the Year award on his resume during...
