Super Bowl Sites Announced

The NFL has announced  Super Bowl sites thru the year 2021.  2019 will be played in the new stadium in Atlanta.  2020’s site is Miami. 2021’s game will be played at the new 3.25 billion dollar stadium in Inglewood  California.  That will be the new home of the L A Rams.

Pirates sign Cervelli to extension

 

0623152043aFrancisco Cervelli and the Pittsburgh Pirates came to terms on Tuesday to a three-year deal, which reportidly  is worth $31 million.

The 30-year-old catcher hit .295 with 17 doubles, five triples and seven home runs in 2015 to help the Pirates advance to the postseason for the third straight season. He started 124 games behind the plate, a career high and most by a Bucs catcher since Jason Kendall started 145 in ’04.

Cervelli is a .284/.360/.382 career hitter in parts of nine Major League seasons with the Yankees and Pirates.

 

Photo courtesy of Frank Sparks

Penguins Prepare For Tampa

The Penguins will practice in Cranberry Township today.  They will prepare for game one of the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning  Friday night at the Console Energy Center.  Some interesting pre-series  stats.  The Penguins goals scored  so far in the playoffs  everages 3.36 per game.  The Lightning have averaged 3 goals per game.  The Penguins have averaged 2.27 goals against, while Tampa Bay ‘s goals against average is 2.41.  The Penguins were 0-2-1 for the season against Tampa. The teams last faced each other in February.  The pre-game show  begins Friday night at  7-pm on WBVP and WMBA.

Pirates Win Move On To Chicago

After beating the Reds, the Pirates  have the day off today  before opening a weekend series against the Cubs.  The first place  cubs lost a day-night double header 7-4 and  1-0 to the San Diego Padres yesterday.  Friday’s starting pitchers are Francisco Lirianno for the Pirates.   Jason Hammel will be on the mound for Chicago.

Pens Hope Game SIX Ends the Series

The Penguins take a 3-2 lead into game six of their Eastern Conference Semi-Final against the Washington Capitals tonight at the Console  Energy Center.  Two announcements were made by  coach Mike Sullivan after Monday’s practice.  Matt Murray will start in goal tonight.  Marc-Andre Fleury will be his back-up.  Fluery hasn’t played since the end of March due to a concussion.  Defenseman  Ollie Matta will return to action tonight.   He has been sidelined since a head shot from Capitals Brooks Orpik in game two.  Orpik will be on defense tonight for the Capials after serving a three game suspension for the Matta hit.  Air time for tonight’s game is 7:30.  The faceoff is scheduled at 8:08.

 

Two Wins For The Beaver Bobcats Girls.

The Beaver Bobcats girls had a double victory Monday.  The softball team clinched their section with a 15-0 win over Blackhawk.  For the second year in a row the Lady Bobcats have won the WPIAL Class double A  track championship.   It was accomplished at the 43rd Annual Baldwin Invitational.

New Voice For “Monday Night Football”

There will a new voice for ESPN’s Monday Football.  Mike Tirco has been the play by play man for the sports network since 2006.  Last week he announced that he was leaving the network to join NBC.  He will work on special events, Sunday Night Football, and will be part of the networks coverage of the RIO Summer Olympics. ESPN is hiring from within. Sean McDonough has been with the network since 2000. He has covered college football-basketball and is the main announcer for Major League Baseball.  McDonough will join analyst Jon Gruden and reporter Lisa Saunders at the Hall Of Fame Game on August 7th.