MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

May 17-19, 2024: FLAGSTAFF (20-27) @ COLORADO SPRINGS (17-29)
Stadium: Security Service Field (Capacity: 13,587)

May 17: Hops 3, Snow Sox 2 (12)
May 18: Snow Sox 6, Hops 2
May 19: Hops 3, Snow Sox 1

Colorado Springs, CO (AP) - The Flagstaff Hops wrapped up a nine game road trip by taking two of three from the Colorado Springs Snow Sox to finish the trip at (4-5).

The Hops grabbed the opener of the series in dramatic fashion as Emmitt Hampton and Robbie Westbrook each homered in extra innings to pull out a 3-2 victory at Security Service Field.

Flagstaff would grab a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on a Grant Mitchell RBI double.

That lead lasted until the bottom of the sixth when Brad DiMaggio hit a solo home run to left to tie the ball game at 1-1. The Snow Sox had a chance to win it in the bottom of the ninth as Donnie Samuels tripled, but he made the third out at home on a failed suicide squeeze.

In the 11th Emmitt Hampton hit a solo home run to right center, his first in the season to put the Hops up 2-1. Vic Miller came on in the bottom half and quickly got the first two outs, but then surrendered a solo home run to Brad DiMaggio, his second of the game and third on the year, to tie the game at 2-2. It was Miller's second blown save on the season.

The Hops would get a solo home run from Robbie Westbrook in the 12th to go back up 3-2, his sixth on the season. Oliver Benedict would come on and send the Snow Sox down in order to pick up his third save.

Ramon Garcia tossed seven innings, allowing one run on three hits, while striking out seven, but got a no decision as he looked to pick up his first win on the season. Hops pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts and two walks.

On Saturday afternoon, the Snow Sox bounced back with a 6-2 victory. Chips Wolf struck out 12 in 5.1 innings of work to pick up the win for the last place Snow Sox.

Colorado Springs jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the third. They got a solo home run from Roberto Silva in the first inning, then a Todd Austin RBI single and Dave Lyon two-run home run in the third to go up by four.

An Emmitt Hampton two-run home run in the fifth, his second on the year, cut the lead in half.

But the Snow sox would add two more runs in the seventh on three doubles to stretch it out to 6-2.

Chip Wolf (2-2) got the win, allowing two runs on five hits with those 12 strikeouts. Russell Fluty (0-4) took the loss, pitching five innings and allowing the four runs on seven hits. He struck out three and walked three. Samuel Espinoza allowed two runs in two innings of work out of the bullpen.

In Sunday afternoon's finale, Ryan Pressley tossed a gem as the Hops won the finale 3-1. Pressley (4-2) threw eight innings, allowing one run on two hits. He struck out 11 and walked three.

Flagstaff would get all the offense that they would need in the second as Isaac Nettles hit a three- run home run off of Ken Withenshaw (2-2). Withenshaw came on in relief of starter Mike Stoneridge just two batters into the game after Stoneridge left with a shoulder injury.

The Snow Sox would get on the board in the fifth inning on a Mike Rock solo home run, his sixth on the year.

Emmitt Hampton single handedly kept the Snow Sox in the game. HE grounded into three inning-ending double plays with two men on base in this game. Hampton went 0 for 4 and is hitting just .160 since coming off of the Injured List.

Vic Miller picked up his tenth save on the season working a 1-2-3 ninth.

Robbie Westbrook left the game in the eighth inning with a knee injury while attempting to steal second. The team has said it is only a sprain, but he will be heading to the 10-Day Injured List.

The Hops (20-27) will now return home to take on El Paso (24-23) and Santa Fe (21-26).

Around the League: Gilbert's Josh Heupel (10) hit a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth to walk it off as the Barnstormers defeated Scottsdale 3-2 on Friday night at YouFit Field. The season has been a struggle for both Heupel and the Barnstormers, but the season is still young and this talented team still has plenty of time to right the ship.

Roswell's Danny Watson (11,12) homered twice and drive in four runs as Roswell walloped Mesa 13-2. Twelve of the Aliens 15 hits went for extra bases (six doubles, one triple and five home runs). Seven different Aliens drove in runs in the win.

Henderson moved into first place in the DL West in a wild 9-8 victory over San Diego. Albert Zambrano (14) hit a walk off, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth to send the home crowd home happy.

Chandler's Stanley Taguchi improved to (6-0) as the Chiefs defeated Salt River 9-6. Taguchi gave up six runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings, but struck out six and got plenty of help form his offense. The Chiefs got home runs from Carl Lentzkow and Zach Dossett as they won their seventh in a row and improved to (31-15).

Surprise's Gus Woodson improved to (6-1) as he tossed seven shutout innings in a 6-1 victory for the Saguaros over the Firebirds.

El Paso's Shuheii Takahashi hit a grand slam to help the Express to a 14-6 victory over Fort Worth. The teams combined to hit eight home runs.

West Texas completed a three game sweep over Salt Lake on Sunday afternoon with a 10-6 victory. The Bison's Quinones went 4 for 4 with two triples and a home run, driving in two in the victory.

Trades: The Phoenix Firebirds have sent 28-year-old left fielder Greg Duke (79 OVR, A POT) to Glendale in exchange for 26-year-old starting pitcher Jake Gutierrez (77 OVR, C POT).

St George has acquired 25-year-old right fielder Edwin Ortiz (87 OVR, C POT) from Salt River in exchange for 26-year-old starting pitcher Steve Leland (75 OVR, B POT) and 24-year-old first baseman Ricky Cervantes (70 OVR, C POT). Ortiz was hitting .227 with six home runs and 27 RBIs for far for the Rafters.

<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53500674426_bbe198a884_o.jpg" width="720" height="405" alt="Series15_24"/>
Robbie Westbrook's 11th inning home run on Friday night gave Flagstaff the victory.

[Itsma806]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

2025 Pittsburgh Pirates 04/14-04/16

Overall Record:12-6 (2nd NL Central/1.5 behind Cincinnati)

Game Results

Game 1
Pirates-6
Astros-2

Game 2
Astros-5
Pirates-1

Game 3
Pirates-3
Astros-0

Pirates take series vs. Astros despite nearly being no-hit

Two pitchers pithced into the sixth inning with no hitters intact in the Pirates and Astros series.

Framber Valdez was the first to do that in game two of the series. Valdez was just dominate despite having average strikeout numbers. The Pirates could not get a hit off of him. That was until old man Andrew Mccutchen hit his second homer of the season, in the sixth inning. Still, the Pirates managed just that one run and one more hit as the Astros took game two 5-1.

The Pirates won game one 6-2 so game three was a rubber match. That time, it was the Pirates turn. Jack Flaherty was the Pirates pitcher who took a perfect game into the sixth inning but that was broken up and he eventually allowed three hits. He however didn't allow any runs and Chase De Jong and David Bednar did the same with each pitching a perfect inning in relief.

Offensively, the Pirates score three. One of those three was a Matt Frazier solo shot in the fifth, his first of the year.

The Pirates now return home for four against the Diamondbacks who swept them right before the Stros series. The Diamondbacks are currently atop the NL West with their 11-8 record.

*side note*
The Astros have Jacob Berry who won rookie of the year for Miami last season, Gunnar Henderson who won the same for the Orioles I think in 2023 and they also have Jackson Holiday and Felix Bautista from Baltimore.

[Itsma806]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

2025 Pittsburgh Pirates 04/17-04/20

Overall Record:14-8 (2nd NL Central/0.5 behind Reds)

Game Results

Game 1
Pirates-4
Diamondbacks-2


Game 2
Pirates-4
Diamondbacks-3

Game 3
Diamondbacks-3
Pirates-2

Game 4
Diamondbacks-5
Pirates-1

D-Backs when season series with 2-2 split

It is only April but the Diamondbacks and Pirates are done for the 2025 regular season.


Arizona swept the Pirates early in the month in a three gamer series and in the recent series, they split the four gamer to make their overall record against Pittsburgh at 5-2.

In the most recent series, the Pirates won the first two games 4-2 and 4-3. The second game was won in extras thanks to Endy Rodriguez's walk off two rbi single.

The Pirates scored four runs in each of the first two games and didnt reach that mark again as the offense struggled in games three and four as they lost 3-2 and 5-1.

The Pirates will now close out their homestand with three against the Rockies (9-15/5th NL West)

[dragster646]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

The Nationals have (finally) entered the final month of the 2024 season, winning just one of their last eight games. They are 68-70 and four games out of the Wild Card spot. To add to the challenge, they will be playing the Mets, Marlins and Braves twice in the final four weeks, which should create yet another potential dramatic ending to the season.

The front office is keeping one eye on this season, but is really focused on the 2025 season. They have called up Cade Cavalli and James Wood to fill the 28-man September roster, keeping their word and forcing Brady House to stay at AAA until at least next year. Washington needs to address their pitching for 2025, as they have the worst ERA in the majors and they will have to come to terms with the fact that Stephen Strasburg is now on the decline. Josiah Gray has not been able to find his groove, and is a free agent at the end of 2024, which may mean there will be one if not two vacancies in the starting rotation.


Let's see how the next four weeks play out!

[Itsma806]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

2025 Pittsburgh Pirates 04/22-04/24

Overall Record:17-8 (1st NL central/0.5 over Cincinnati)

Game Results

Game 1
Pirates-4
Rockies-2

Game 2
Pirates-6
Rockies-3

Game 3
Pirates-8
Rockies-4

Pirates back atop Central after sweep of Rockies

The Pirates sweep of the Rockies appeared to be in jeopardy as Colorado took an early 3-0 lead in game three. The Rockies got out to a hot start against the Pirates' Mitch Keller who had been the Pirates best pitcher thus far in the early days of the 2025 season.

Colorado got five hits off of Keller in just the first inning. Those hits resulted in the early 3-0 lead for the Rockies.

Not to be deterred, Pittsburgh started their comeback in the third inning when Ke'Bryan Hayes got his first of three RBIs with a single that knocked in Cruz. Cruz would find homeplate often in the game as he ended up scoring four times.

Past that first inning, Keller settled down as he allowed just two more hits and no more runs in his six innings of work.

The Pirates took the lead in the seventh as they scored three to at the time, make the score 5-3. The inning started off with Lucas Gilbreath being brought into the game to face a fellow leftie, Oniel Cruz who promptly hit the first pitch down the right field line for a double. That was followed by a Anthony Santander RBi single and Ke'Bryan Hayes' third homerun of the season. Interestingly enough, this early in the season, Hayes has now tied his 2024 homerun output.

The Pirates scored three more in the eighth and the Rockies could only muster one more in the ninth as the Pirates took game three for the sweep, 8-4.

The Pirates will now start a road trip to end the first full month of the season. The first series will be in Washington to take on the Nationals (9-17/5th NL East).

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

May 20-22, 2024: EL PASO (26-24) @ FLAGSTAFF (21-29)
Stadium: AutoZone Park (Capacity: 13,406)

May 20: Express 3, Hops 1
May 21: Hops 7, Express 1
May 22: Express 5, Hops 2

Flagstaff, AZ (AP) - The Hops returned home and dropped two of three to El Paso in a rematch of last year's MLCS.

The Hops opened up their series with the defending ML Champions with a 3-1 loss. Mark Donnellon tossed seven strong innings and got some help from slugger Josh Hawk to help the Express to the series opening victory.

The Express grabbed a 2-0 lead in the third off of Geraldo Rodriguez. Josh Hawk hit a sacrifice fly that scored Phil Colon. Then Tommie Bennett singled home Brandon Gayle, who had singled and stole second.

The Hops lone run came in the bottom of the third as Forrest Owen scored on a ground out by Roberto Geronimo.

El Paso would add an insurance run in the eighth on a Josh Hawk solo home run, his 16th on the year.

Mark Donnellon (4-1) worked seven innings, allowing one run on five hits, while striking out three. Sam Lopez worked a perfect ninth to pick up his sixth save. Geraldo Rodriguez (1-1) took the loss. He pitched six innings, allowing two run son six hits. He struck out four and walked one.

On Tuesday evening, Alex Farmer tossed seven strong innings and won his league leading seventh game on the year as the Hops cruised to a 7-1 victory.

The Hosp would score single runs in the first three innings to take a 3-0 lead. In the first, Emmitt Hampton hit a solo home run to lead off, his third on the season. In the second Roberto Geronimo lined a two-out, bases loaded single to right that scored Bradley York. In the third, it was a Forrest Owen RBI single that scored David Benitez.

Josh Ortega would put this one on ice in the sixth with a towering three-run blast to left. It was his 12th on the year.

The Express would get on the scoreboard in the seventh as Eloy Torrez hit a solo home run off of Alex Farmer. Roberto Geronimo would homer in the eighth to make it 7-1.

Alex Farmer (7-1) went seven innings, allowing one run on three hits. He struck out four and walked none. Luis Corella (2-7) took the loss, only lasting four innings and allowing three runs on nine hits. He struck out two and walked three.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Express got a big three-run home run from Omar Chavez and rode that to a 5-2 victory to win the series.

Chavez would hit a three-run home run off of Ramon Garcia in the second inning. It was his fifth on the season. Tommie Bennett would add a solo home run in the sixth off of reliever Samuel Espinoza and Shuheii Takahashi added an RBI triple in the seventh to put the Express up 5-0.

Phillip Choi would hit a two-run home run in the bottom half of the seventh, his second on the season, to get Flagstaff on the scoreboard, but the Express bullpen would shut down the Hops.

Ramon Garcia (0-5) took the loss despite another decent outing. He went five innings, allowing three runs on four hits, while walking two. Bryan Higgins (5-3) picked up the win for El Paso. He went seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits, while striking out three and walking two. Sam Lopez worked a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his seventh save in eight opportunities.

Flagstaff (21-29) will have Thursday off before hosting Santa Fe (24-26) for a three-game weekend series. The Jays just swept Salt Lake, outscoring the Chukars 24-9.

Around the League: Five Santa Fe pitchers combined to throw a four-hit shutout of the Salt Lake Chukars on Monday evening. Matt Price (6-2) picked up the win, tossing 5.1 innings and scattering two hits, while striking out four and walking five. It was the Chukars fourth straight loss.

Phoenix's David Peralta (6-1) tossed 6.1 innings, allowing one run on eight hits while striking out seven as the Firebirds defeated Goodyear 6-1. Peralta has been a bright spot in a rough start for Phoenix as the Firebirds sit in fourth place in the DL Central, 10 ½ games back of Surprise.

Scottsdale's Martin Perez went 3 for 6 with two home runs and drove in six as the Scorpions took care of Tucson 11-6.

<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53515136309_ec02c2c54e_o.jpg" width="720" height="405" alt="Series16_24"/>
Josh Hawk and the El Paso Express took two of three from Flagstaff.

[Bgrd1080]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

Got such a great reaction to my Rockies thread and them saving my realism issues that I figured might as well post my season here until 24 arrives.

Rockies 2023 Season Ends in The Cellar

A 5th place finish in the division and a 71-91 record is how the 2023 season will be remembered for Colorado. If not for Nolan Jones it probably would have been even worse.
Team Leaders:
HR: Nolan Jones, Jurickson Profar (21) W: Kyle Freeland (12)
RBI: Nolan Jones (90) L: Kyle Freeland (17)
AVG: Yonathan Diaz (.307) SV: Daniel Bard (30)
OPS: Nolan Joines (.872) IP: Kyle Freeland (200.2)
Errors: Alan Trejo (15) K: Chris Flexen (120)
ERA: Austin Gomber (4.31) QS: Chris Flexen (18)

Awards:
MVP: NL: Matt Olson AL: Framber Valdez
Cy Young: NL:Blake Snell AL: Framber Valdez
Hank Aaron: NL: Freddie Freeman AL: Corey Seager
R.O.Y: NL: Elly De La Cruz AL: Hunter Brown
Playoffs
The NL West and AL East were well represented with 3 teams included for both.
1.ATL (101-61) Houston (108-54)
2. LAD (92-70) Tampa Bay (104-58)
3. Pittsburgh (84-78) Minnesota (80-82)
4. Miami (87-75) Baltimore (99-63)
5. Arizona (87-75) LAA (87-75)
6. San Francisco (87-75) Toronto (85-77)
NLCS:Dodgers 4-Atlanta 0
ALCS: Tampa Bay 4- Houston 1
World Series: Tampa Bay 4- Los Angeles 2
WS MVP: Francisco Mejia .458/1HR/5RBI

[Bgrd1080]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

Made a few changes where I forced Wander, Domingo and Julio Urias to retire by lowering overalls and putting on season ending injury prior to season. All 3 retired. I also adjusted some trades and signings to represent
a few of the more important trades from real life. Let the rest just play out.

The Rich Get Richer in 2023 Offseason
Cubs: Craig Kimbrel 1/7.7mil
Dodgers: Shohei Ohtanhi 9/300mil & Matt Chapman 5/ 58mil
Brewers: Rhys Hoskins 4/34mil
Giants: Shane Bieber 1/12mil
Red Sox: Jordan Montgomery 4/36mil
Yankees: Marcos Stroman 1/23.7mil
Miami: Hunter Renfroe 2/10mil
Houston: Josh Hader 4/41mil
STL: Lucas Giolito 4/53 mil, Cody Bellinger 4/40mil & Sonny Gray 3/48 mil
Angels: Blake Snell 4/45.6 mil
Phillies: Aaron Nola 5/57mil & Michael Lorenzen 2/14.8 Mil
Atlanta: Teoscar Hernandez 3/13 mil
Rockies: Cal Quantrill 1/6mil, Charlie Blackmon 1/3.1 mil & Joey Gallo 2/7.5 mil (team option)
Trades
Milwaukee and Baltimore: Burnes for Joey Ortiz and D.L Hall
Yankees and Padres: Michael King,Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito and Higashioka for Soto and Grisham
Dodgers and Rays: Jonny De Luca and Pepiot for Manny Margot and Tyler Glasnow
Rockies and Red Sox: 1B Elehuris Montero for SP Bryan Mata
Rockies try desperately to find some pitching while Red Sox get a 2nd option besides floundering Tristan Casas to play at 1B.

[Itsma806]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

2025 Pittsburgh Pirates 04/25-04/27

Overall Record:18-10 (1st NL Central/1.5 over Cincinnati)

Game Results

Game 1
Nationals-2
Pirates-1

Game 2
Nationals-3
Pirates-2

Game 3
Pirates-2
Nationals-1

Offenses struggle as Nats take two of three from Pirates

The Pirates lost two of three to the Nationals in Washington as the leagues (ranked) worst pitching staff stifled Pittsburgh hitters.

Neither team scored above three runs in any game during the series and both struggled to really hit at all.

The Pirates were able to avoid the sweep with a 2-1 game three victory. That victory came in large part thanks to Jack Flaherty's strong start. He went six innings, allowed just one run and struck out eleven. The Pirates did get on the board first in the game as Andrew Mccutchen hit his third homerun of the season off of the Nationals starter, Tim Cate, in the second inning.

The Nationals quickly answered back however as Brady House hit his second in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game at one a piece.

The Pirates other run came in the sixth inning after Ji-Hwan Bae walked, stole second and then scored on a Ke' Bryan Hayes rbi single.

The Pirates will now close out April with a trip to New York to face off with the Mets (18-9/3rd NL East) in a four game series that will bleed over into May.

[Itsma806]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

2025 Pittsburgh Pirates 04/28-05/01

Overall Record:22-10 (1st NL Central/5.0 over Cincinnati)

Game Results

Game 1
Pirates-4
Mets-0

Game 2
Pirates-5
Mets-1

Game 3
Pirates-4
Mets-3

Game 4
Pirates-7
Mets-5

Pirates head into May with four game sweep of Mets

The Pirates were hot early in April then cooled off and again heated up at the end of the month. As the season heads into the May, Pittsburgh is now on a five game winning streak as they look to match their season high of ten in a row.

The Mets came into their series with the Pirates at a very respectable 18-9 but left the series, 18-13 after the sweep. The last two games were all but sure wins as game three went twelve innings and game four came down to the wire.

Anthony Santander was the hero in game four. How did he get there? Well lets take a look.

His first RBI (of four) came in the very first inning when he knocked in Termarr Johnson who led off the game with a walk. Bryan Reynolds also had an RBI in the inning to give the Pirates the 2-0 lead.

The Mets got on the board in the second with Kyle Higashioka's first homer of the season and the games first.

Santander continued his great game in the third as he and Andrew Mccutchen hit solo shots (#8 and #4) to bring the Pirates lead to 4-1.


Fast foward to the eighth inning where the Mets scored three to tie the game at 5 heading into the ninth. And, in the 9th inning, Santander would again come through with his second homer of the game (#9) that also brought in Endy Rodriguez to make the score 7-5.

David Bednar who has won the NL reliever of the year award in two consecutive seasons then came in and collected his 10th save of the season as the Pirates took the game 7-5 and the sweep, 4-0.

In other news, the Reds have come back to reality after starting April hot. They are 2-8 in their last ten and now are five behind the Pirates who will look to extend that divisional lead in May.

The Pirates will now return home to face off with the Nationals (11-21/5th NL East) who recently beat them in a series, two games to one.

[WillieB1214]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

Always good to catch up with how everybody's franchises have been going! Looking forward to jumping back in for 24.

Hopefully some of the Interntional guys will have some good CAPs from early access guys, if not I got the formulas from a 23 roster I'll implement myself. Want to get the franchise going as soon as I can

[dragster646]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

The Nationals' struggles continue as they dropped two of three to the Marlins. They are now 69-72 going into their series against the Braves. It looks as though this season is a wash, despite Washington not yet being mathematically eliminated.

They also lost their backup catcher, Wilmer Perez, for the remaining games after he fracturedh is leg sliding into second base. This means Washington will finish the year with two rookie catchers.

[Panther99299]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

Finished my first ever full Franchise. Did it with the Nationals, won the WS in year 5. James Wood looked as if he'd be traded until he hit 21 HRs in his rookie year, leading me to actually build around him and Bo Bichette, who I ended up signing later on. Absolutely elite franchise mode. I even actually ended up starting my own draft pick, a 2nd rounder named Pedro Raimo.

[Bgrd1080]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

Rockies Franchise

3/30/24

Rockies Swept to Open Season

San Francisco brought out the mops winning every game in a 4 game set to open the season, 7-4, 3-0, 5-4 and 6-3. Newly signed Rocky, Cal Quantrill went 3 innings giving up 7 earned in game 1 and it didn't get much better. Flexen gave up 4 in 5 innings, Freeland 4 in as many innings. The one decent start they got was from German Marquez. 2 earned in 6 innings pitched with 6 K's. On the other side of the ball, the bats didn't show up unless your named Nolan Jones or debutant Zac Veen who both hit .429 with an RBI each. Joey Gallo will make his much anticipated debut since spraining his wrist in Spring Training tomorrow at home against Arizona and Brandon Pfaadt. Antonio Senzatela takes the bump for The Rockies who will look to get win number 1 in game 5 of the early season.

4/2/24

Colorado Split With Arizona

After a 16 hit, 8 run game to get their first win of the season, including HR's by Ryan McMahon and Nolan Jones, it appeared things were turning around. Then came the reality check, game 2 started and more disfunction. Arizona (4-2) scored 2 in the 9th off Daniel Bard to take the game 4-2. Two separate occasions The Rockies were picked off at 1st, including the 9th when pinch runner Ezequiel Tovar was caught with 1 out and Nolan Jones at the plate. Quantrill went 5.2 innings, striking out 5 before giving up 2 runs. Colorado (1-5) has Wednesday off before heading to The Bay for 4 with San Francisco (4-2).

[Itsma806]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

2025 Pittsburgh Pirates 05/02-05/04

Overall Record:25-10 (1st NL Central/6.0 over Cincinnati)

Game Results:

Game 1
Pirates-6
Nationals-2

Game 2
Pirates-2
Nationals-1

Game 3
Pirates-3
Nationals-2

Pirates extend streak to eight with sweep of Nats

The Pittsburgh Pirates are just two wins away from their second ten game winning streak and its still early May. The Pirates 25-10 record is best in the NL Central and second in the MLB behind their National league foe, the Atlanta Braves who currently sit at 27-9.

The Pirates got their revenge on the Nationals who are the last team to get a series win and for that matter, a win at all against Pittsburgh after they won their April 25th-27th series 2-1.

In their recent series, the Pirates won game one behind a strong fourth inning where they scored five runs to eventually win, 6-2.

Games two and three were one run wins in which both came down to the final at bats.

Game two was won on a walk off single by Oneil Cruz that knocked in Andrew Mccutchen who had doubled earlier in the inning.

Game three saw the Pirates take the 3-2 lead in the 8th after the Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez hit his first homerun of the season. The game seemed to be over as David Bednar came in to the game to close it out and after all, he had been perfect thus far in the season.

Well, the Nationals had different plans as they hit three straight singles to load the bases with no outs. Bednar being Bednar however, was able to get the next batter, Eric Brown JR to ground to third baseman, Ke' Bryan Hayes. Hayes fired that grounder to home to cut off the tying run and Rodriguez then shot the ball to first to get the double play. The Nationals then chose to leave their ninth hitter, William Lugo in who then grounded to Oneil Cruz who used his rocket arm to throw him out at first and secure the Pirates eighth straight win and Bednar's 11th straight save.

The Pirates will now stay home to face off with the Brewers (12-23/5th NL Central). Who have had a slow start to the year after challenging the Pirates for the division crown and making the playoffs in 2024.