The Pirates’ opener at PNC Park turned out to be a joke, and I’m not talking about an April Fools joke. I was on hand for this annual unofficial Pittsburgh holiday. Even though it was a little chilly, it was a beautiful day for a ballgame. Spirits were high and the Bucs looked great in putting across three runs in the first. Throw in a great pitching performance by Chris Archer and it was reason for celebration. Unfortunately, for the second time in three games, the Buccos’ bullpen couldn’t hold a lead and lost in extra innings. What a disappointing game for the Pirates and their fans.
• The Pirates could easily be 3-0. Unfortunately, reliever Richard Rodriguez has given up homers in both the season opening and Pirates’ opening games, paving the way for the Bucs to lose. He’s been brutal. Even closer Felipe Vazquez has been so-so. If the Pirates are going to win they will need their pitching staff to be great. So far, the starters have been really good. The relievers…not so good.
• As expected, defense has been a problem for the Pirates, and we’re only three games into the season. You can make a case that the poor defense cost the Pirates in the home opener. The Pirates committed two costly errors. Each came back to hurt the Pirates. If the defense keeps playing like this it’s going to be a long year.
• The prevailing wisdom entering the season was that the Pirates’ pitching staff was what would make the team competitive. Trevor Williams, who was lights out the second half of last season, was brilliant in his opening start. I don’t know how he can pitch much better. Jameison Taillon was also solid in the opener, even though he took the loss. If both guys can pitch like this the Pirates will be in a lot of games this year.
• The Penguins won a mini playoff game over the weekend when they turned back the Hurricanes at home. The win solidified the Pens’ spot in the playoff race and dealt a major blow to the Canes as they seek to make the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade. Regular season wins don’t come much bigger than this.
• There’s a reason why they call it March Madness. I can’t recall seeing four better regional finals than what we witnessed this past weekend. Every game was absolutely fantastic, while two went to overtime. I’ve watched a lot of NCAA Tournament games over the years, both on television and in person. I think this was the best Regional Final Weekend in tournament history.
• I wanted Duke to win it all. I’ve been a big Duke fan for a number of years. It was a thrill to watch Zion Williamson play this year. The loss by the Blue Devils means we won’t see Zion again. He’s another one and done player. Williamson was terrific for Duke against Michigan State, but surprisingly he did not take a shot in the last six minutes of the game. No wonder Duke lost.
• So now it’s on to Minnesota. Michigan State, making its eighth Four Four appearance under Tom Izzo, takes on Texas Tech. It’s the first time the Red Raiders have been to the Final Four. I like Michigan State to get to the title game. Charles Barkley’s Auburn Tigers are also in their first Final Four. They take on Virginia, making its first Final Four appearance since 1983. I’m going out on a limb and take Auburn to continue its magical run.
• Ben Roethlisberger’s radio show on The Fan in Pittsburgh has been a must listen the last several years. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Apparently, the show is about to end, and that’s a shame for all Steelers’ fans. Big Ben was open and honest and quite entertaining. Tuesdays during football season won’t be the same.
• Less than a month until the NFL Draft. I’ve already seen more mock drafts than I can stand. They have the Steelers taking a number of different players, mostly on the defensive side of the ball. If the experts are correct, the Steelers may very well make a play for Michigan linebacker Devin Bush. That wouldn’t surprise me at all. Draft night should be very interesting.
