Having salvaged one game from the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pirates begin a four game series with the Cincinnati Reds tonight.  One of the pitchers doing well Ivan Nova (4-0) will start for the Pirates.  The Reds will start one of their best Dan Straily (11-7) On the injury front, starter Gerrit Cole will throw a bullpen session Friday before returning to the major league squad Monday.  Starling Marte was held out for the second straight game. He is suffering from back spasms.  Catcher Francisco Cervelli started last night’s game. Monday night he banged up his thump. He was trying  to catch a ball in the dirt when it  hit off the tip of his thumb.  Trainer Todd Tomczyk drained the thumb before last night’s game. Pirates and Reds tonight 6:40 on WBVP-WMBA.

Today is Roberto Clemente Day in the City Of Pittsburgh. On Tuesday the Pirates announced their nominee for this year is  Jared Hughes  The award is given each year to the player who best represents the game through character and community service. Hughes has worked with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. He also helped with the Miracle League.

It was Penn State coach James Franklin’s turn to talk about Saturday’s game against PITT.  Franklin says  for the  players who take the Heinz Field turf at noon, this will be a new adventure not a rivalry game.  He pointed out that the two schools haven’t played schools for 16-years.  Most of his players were three or four years old then. Franklin is spending extra time with red shirt sophomore quarterback Trace McSorley. He  struggled in first start against Kent State. A game the PSU won 33-13.  Pitt-Penn State Saturday afternoon  Air time will be  at 11:30 WBVP-WMBA.

The Pirates need a win tonight  to stop the bleeding of  an extended  losing  streak and keep their faint playoff hopes alive.  The Bucs will send  Jameson Taillon (3-4) to the mound.  St Louis will counter with Mike Leake (9-9).  The Pirates trail the Cardinals and the Giants by five and half games for both wild card  spots.  The Mets are four and half games are ahead of the Pirates.  The Pirates and Cardinals right after Coaches Corner on WBVP-WMBA.

Newly acquired Justin Gilbert is on a crash course to learn the Steelers defensive playbook.  The Steelers traded their sixth round pick in 2017 to Cleveland for the defensive back. Gilbert was a first round pick in 2014.  Gilbert has a troubled past with the Browns. He was often late for meetings and served a one game suspension in his last game as a rookie.  He started only three games as a Brown, and only one interception. The Steelers hope a change of scenery will bring out the potential of the eighth overall pick.  Steelers open the season in Washington in the early game of ESPN’s Monday Night Football double header.  WBVP-WMBA’s airtime on Monday will be 5pm.

It is Pitt-Penn State week.  That statement hasn’t been heard for 16-years.  The Interstate rivalry resumes Saturday at Heinz Field. Both teams are 1-0. Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi wants his team to devote as much time toward preparation for the game. He told the media that players are off limits to them till after the game.  Narduzzi will explain his rationale  on the Pat Narduzzi Show Wednesday evening at 6-pm  on WBVP-WMBA.

If the Pirates are to make the playoffs, they must win the next two games against the Cardinals.  After losing Monday 12-6, the Pirates are now four and a half games behind  Cardinals for the second wild card spot in the National League.   Game two of the series is tonight at PNC Park. The Pirates will pitch Ryan Voglesong. The Cardinals will counter with Luke Weaver. Airtime on WBVP-WMBA is 6:40.

He will not play tonight. On Wednesday Antonio Brown signed a restructured 2016 contract. The deal will shift money owed in 2017 to this year.  The agreement gives Brown a four million dollar raise.  The Steelers say they will negotiate a long term deal after the season.  The Steelers conclude the preseason tonight as they visit the Carolina Panthers.  WBVP-WMBA airtime is 5:30.  Kickoff is 7-pm.  It may be the last game for some 22 players.  The Steelers will trim their roster from 75 to 53 by Saturday at 4pm.

The Steelers lost and gained  a quarterback on Wednesday.  First they place Bruce Grandkowski on injured reserve. Grandkowski tore a hamstring in the teams first preseason game. It is the second season in row that the 31 year old Grandkowski has been on injured reserve. Later in the day they claimed quarterback Zack Metlenberger. He will serve as the teams number three quarterback.  Melenberger was cut by the San Diego Chargers earlier in the week.  He has played against the Steelers two seasons ago when he played for the Titans.