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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 06.07.24
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John
12:21
Thanks for the chats Jason. Always informative. I’ve always been of the belief that the best defense is a good offense. Am I being too optimistic that this team could actually support that feeling? A Patrick Maholmes can’t hurt you if he is sitting on the bench.
Jason Mackey
12:22
Are we talking about the Steelers? I hope so. And, yeah. I think that's exactly what they're going for. Control the ball. Run it effectively. Use your tight ends. Take some shots downfield. It's OTAs, so everything looks good now. But actually sustaining drives would definitely not be a bad thing.
Nadia
12:22
Hi Jason, would you say it’s safe to say that Payton Wilson is similar to Lambert in terms of height and speed?
Jason Mackey
12:23
I'm not comparing anyone to Jack Lambert, especially a guy who has yet to play an NFL game. They're both tall, yes. A roster can tell me that. But that's about as far as I think we should go.
Zack
12:23
Given your new Oklahoma City Thunder fandom, what are the chances of Pittsburgh landing an NBA team, or what do you think the viability of Pittsburgh having another pro sports franchise basketball or otherwise (maybe soccer)
Jason Mackey
12:24
We do have pro soccer, but I don't know if we have the people to support an NBA team. I'd love it, don't get me wrong. But they seem to target cities much bigger than ours or cities with fewer Big 4 options.
Guest
12:24
Do the Pirates have any concern about the regression of Solometto and Chandler so far this year? Or do they just think it's a bump in the development road?
Jason Mackey
12:25
I don't think anyone thinks it's good that they've struggled, so don't take this that way. But there's also an understanding that sometimes this takes time. Big picture, no, I don't think anyone is freaking out believing that suddenly these guys stink or something like that.
Chief Powhatan
12:25
Would Gonzalez be a better fit as a leadoff hitter instead of McCutchen?
Jason Mackey
12:26
I wouldn't mess with what they have going right now with those two. Nick has been driving in a lot of runs, hitting well with men on base. Don't disrupt that.
Kroner
12:28
Jason, could you please explain  the ruling on the Olivares trapped ball play last night?  I thought the runner should have been called out at second base.
Jason Mackey
12:32
I don't understand your confusion but sure. He didn't catch the ball. It bounced. So, they went back and put a runner on first and second. Best they could do.
Chief Powhatan
12:33
Are these NBA and NHL finals stretched out too far with off days?
Jason Mackey
12:34
I think so. I understand off days for travel, but that's about it. I feel like there's momentum generated with that stuff. I'm also probably in the minority.
PrinceBob
12:34
This is really too general a question, but in general do you know how pitchers feel about the way the game has changed for them? Do many miss batting? Do they wish they weren't usually on a pitch count and got to pitch later into games? Does it bother them when they see a starter take a no hitter into the seventh inning and be pulled because of the pitch count?
Jason Mackey
12:35
I would argue that few miss batting. Some do, of course. The Pirates have two in Skenes and Jones. But most are fine that it's gone. They do wish they could pitch later in games.
But I also think it's just the way the game is now. Guys understand and admit it.
Craiggers
12:35
Hey Jason, your thoughts on the Sutton signing?  Since the charges were reduced to misdemeanors, will he still face NFL suspension?
Jason Mackey
12:36
I'll bet he still faces a suspension. Wrote a whole column on it. I get second chances. I also read through the reporting of it -- and it's ugly. It's also an affidavit, and none of us truly know. It's a very big risk. They better be right.
Chief Powhatan
12:36
Jason, are you going to T-VO the final Wheel of Fortune with Pat Sajak/Vanna White?
Jason Mackey
12:37
Ha. Think I'm gonna pass on that. When is it?
Guest
12:37
A josh bell reunion makes so much sense right now lol
Jason Mackey
12:37
Don't hate it. Depends on the ask.
Warren H.
12:37
Enjoy the chats.  Have you heard the results of the recent survey regarding Pittsburgh possibly being awarded an NBA or WNBA franchise?  Thank you.  Go Celts!
Jason Mackey
12:37
I have not.
Glad you enjoy the chats. Thank you.
Chief Powhatan
12:37
Saw a graphic last night on an MLB game last night the Pirates led all teams with 14 blown saves.  What's your response to what feels like missed ops X14?
Jason Mackey
12:38
Means they should have more wins than they do and their close struggled at the start of the year. Not sure of what else I need to react to. The bullpen hasn't been good enough, not for spending $10.5 million on a setup guy and trying to create a competitive advantage that way.
Guest
12:38
What is the real aversion to giving Jake Lamb a shot at being the 1B bandaid.
Jason Mackey
12:39
Not defending it, answering the question, but I think they're trying to get something, anything out of Rowdy Tellez, knowing they already paid him.
PrinceBob
12:39
Do you think that EVERY college in Division 1A is going to pay their football and basketball players and if so how can they afford it? It's not likely to be a big problem for places like Penn State but for say, Temple, Akron, etc.? And why would a school like Delaware want to move up to 1A at a time when playing in that division, which already costs a ton, is likely to get even more pricey?
Jason Mackey
12:40
They won't, plain and simple. I think much like scholarships, it will run concurrent with size of school, plus infusion stuff like TV dollars, endorsements, etc. Brand-building, that sort of thing. I hate it. College athletes certainly aren't amateurs anymore.
YINZER Tom
12:40
Jason, going to wear my GM/ Owner hat for a minute. Why wouldn’t the Pirates want to lock up Jones and Skenes? 10 years 120-150 mil? Good deal for them. 100 mph pitchers can break beyond repair. Good deal for Pirates as revenue streams change adapt over time they have the ability to continue the payments and make their profit as revenues increase and they do. Great deal for fans as the potential to stay relevant for awhile is possible. Both are 32 when deal is over. If they are relevant and worth 100m a year if that’s where this world goes. They are young enough to cash in again. Why wouldn’t the Pirates do this?
Jason Mackey
12:41
Why would Skenes and Jones do this? Gerrit Cole just made $350ish million. Wouldn't that make more sense? Also, if you're a player, are you suddenly going to hitch your wagon to the Pirates for 10 years? The Pirates get a use discount for six years. I think they probably will take that while inheriting none of the risk associated with a 10-year contract for a pitcher.
Will
12:42
I don't fault Shelton for using Heller somewhere, but he was flailing before Betts tagged him. The shortage of better BP options falls on Cherrington, but no single RP should be in a position to single handedly put a game out of reach. At that point it should just be next man up. Falter struggled but  still got 12 outs for his 5 spot  and Heller got 2 outs for his 5 spot.
Jason Mackey
12:43
I get what you're saying. But it was "the wrong move" because Heller didn't pitch well. If he pitched well, doubt you're asking me why they did that. Shelton has a lot of innings to cover last night and today. Who's your next man up in that spot? Ortiz? Stratton? I'm sorry, I can't pin that one wholly on Shelton.
Inkster
12:43
In response Kroner’s question, it’s my understanding that the throw beat the runner who retreated to first base.  I’m guessing that is why he thought the runner was out.
Jason Mackey
12:44
Yeah, but him not catching the ball overrides everything.
Guest
12:44
So I see that Minkah said that Cam is a "good guy".  Is he serious?  How can you call someone accused of what he accepted a criminal deal for a good guy?
Jason Mackey
12:45
Minkah can say whatever he wants or feel however he wants. I get why that would upset you or others, along with bringing in Sutton in the first place. Would imagine they also feel they see a different side of Sutton.
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