Endy Rodriguez Has Won the Pirates’ Catching Job

Seth Hernandez and Edward Florentino Are Coming Fast

The Pirates are sending Seth Hernandez and Edward Florentino to the MLB Futures Game, and Alex Stumpf believes both could become mainstays in Pittsburgh sooner rather than later. Hernandez has 100 strikeouts in 62⅓ innings and the competitive mindset to match, while Florentino combines major power with an advanced approach and impressive makeup. On today’s OffBeat, Alex explains why both prospects could finish 2026 in Altoona and why Hernandez may eventually share a Pirates rotation with Paul Skenes. Presented by FanDuel. Read more from Alex at Book Rule Bucs: https://bookrulebucs.substack.com/ Download our app! : https://apps.apple.com/us/app/north-shore-nine/id6771171000 : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.northshorenine.app 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 #pittsburghpirates Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Disaster Strikes in Philly as Pirates Lose Ninth Straight Paul Skenes Start

Paul Skenes turned in the worst start of his major league career, allowing a career high seven earned runs over four innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates lost 10-6 to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Pirates have now lost nine consecutive games started by Skenes, while his declining fastball velocity and recent performance are becoming legitimate concerns. Jim and Tyler break down what went wrong for Skenes, how Henry Davis and the Pirates’ defense helped a five run second inning unravel, Nick Gonzales’ struggles at third base and whether pitching coach Bill Murphy should still have his job. They also credit the offense for knocking Zack Wheeler out before the end of the fifth inning and continuing to fight after falling behind 8-2. Chapters: 0:00 Pirates lose 10-6 1:18 Paul Skenes’ worst start 6:10 How the second inning unraveled 8:00 Henry Davis and the ABS failures 10:15 Pirates’ defensive breakdown 14:05 Offense battles Zack Wheeler 17:15 Skenes’ velocity becomes a concern 21:30 Should Bill Murphy be fired? 23:35 Pirates keep fighting 26:05 Johan Ramirez stays effectively wild 30:20 Looking ahead to the series finale Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pirates’ Bubba Chandler Has Found His Delivery Again

Bubba Chandler’s final line did not reflect how well he pitched in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 8-0 loss to the Phillies. Chandler reached the seventh inning for the first time in his career, issued only two walks and showed signs that an important mechanical adjustment is starting to pay off. Alex Stumpf breaks down Chandler’s improved arm slot, his renewed fastball command and why his recent progress feels different from the control problems that defined Tyler Glasnow’s time in Pittsburgh. With several questions surrounding the Pirates’ rotation, Chandler could become one of their most important pitchers during the second half. Read more from Alex at Book Rule Bucs: https://bookrulebucs.substack.com/ Download our app! : https://apps.apple.com/us/app/north-shore-nine/id6771171000 : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.northshorenine.app 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 #pittsburghpirates Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pirates Offense Vanishes in 8-0 Loss to Phillies

The Pittsburgh Pirates were completely overmatched by Cristopher Sánchez in an 8-0 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. The offense finished with only four hits, Bryan Reynolds’ 34-game on-base streak ended and Marcell Ozuna struck out three times. Jim and Tyler discuss why Bubba Chandler pitched much better than his final line, Don Kelly’s decision to leave him in during the seventh inning and another disastrous performance from the Pirates bullpen. They also discuss Esmerlyn Valdez reaching base three times, the lineup’s continued struggles against left-handed pitching and Wednesday’s Paul Skenes versus Zack Wheeler matchup. 0:00 Pirates lose 8-0 3:17 Bubba Chandler’s misleading final line 6:32 Did Don Kelly leave Bubba in too long? 10:13 Another bullpen disaster 16:51 Cristopher Sánchez shuts down the offense 17:48 Esmerlyn Valdez stays hot 19:46 Marcell Ozuna continues to struggle 24:40 Why is Billy Cook still playing? 27:18 Paul Skenes versus Zack Wheeler Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pirates Offense Is Reaching Lumber Company Levels

The Pirates entered 2026 hoping an average offense would be enough to support their pitching. Instead, the offense has become the strength of the team. After finishing 2025 with an 82 wRC+, the Pirates are up to 110 this season, ranking second in baseball and producing at a level comparable to the 1971 Lumber Company. Alex Stumpf breaks down the historic improvement, the depth throughout the lineup and why falling behind no longer feels like an automatic loss. Alex also examines Endy Rodriguez’s simplified swing, the early impact of Esmerlyn Valdez and Konnor Griffin, and why unexpected production from the rookies has raised the ceiling of the entire offense. Chapters: 0:00 Comparing the Pirates to the Lumber Company 1:03 The comeback in Philadelphia 4:29 Years of historically bad offense 5:34 Endy Rodriguez’s swing adjustment 7:51 The rookies are producing 8:23 IQ Bar 9:51 The offense must carry the Pirates 11:19 Esmerlyn Valdez and Konnor Griffin 14:26 A true pass-the-baton lineup Read more from Alex Stumpf at Book Rule Bucs: https://bookrulebucs.substack.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.