Why is ESPN oddly optimistic about the Pirates? The Pirates will get Oneil Cruz and Konnor Griffin back before the end of the season, and ESPN thinks it could ‘save’ their season. That idea feels like a pipe dream. Cruz should be back soonish, but Griffin won’t be back until the middle of next month – and at that point, the Pirates could be mathematically out of it. Fan Graphs gives the Pirates under a 10% chance to make the postseason, but the odds don’t even feel that high. Poni said people can still count on the fresh air at PNC Park if nothing else. Wow!
Baseball writer John Perrotto joined the show. John said this season reminds him of the early Clint Hurdle seasons of 2011 and 2012, which saw the Pirates completely fall apart in August. John talked about the disappointment in the pitching staff in 2026. John thinks Paul Skenes should face a lot of blame for how this season has gone due to the amount of power he wields in that building. John criticized how Skenes has looked in his last 3 starts with the Pirates needing their ace to answer the call. John joked as a man of heavy stature that Skenes does look like he’s put on some weight between seasons and it may be affecting his performance. The guys asked John how the Pirates may twirl things this offseason if they finish in last place once again? John cited how Bob Nutting doesn’t love making drastic changes despite consistent poor results.
Donny Football Debrief – Could another former Steelers QB block the team’s ability to trade one of their backups? The Lions signed Josh Dobbs following the Teddy Bridgewater retirement.
Aug 10, 2026
