Tri-State at the Plate

Pittsburgh Pirates Playoff Podcast and Champagne Celebrations

The most alliterative title in podcast history is in honor of the Pittsburgh Pirates going to the playoffs for the second consecutive season!

Super Producer turned Super Dad Jason Ruggiero returns to the podcast this week in between diapers to talk baseball with Andy Burdick! The duo open the pod by discussing Frank Wren and the Atlanta Braves situation.  They then transition to playoff baseball in Pittsburgh by looking at the last five games of the season and the Pirates playoff projections.  Andy talks about Gerrit Cole's ace status, champagne celebrations in the clubhouse and the difficulty of pronouncing 'Incmikoski', and an in-depth discussion of the team MVP.  Jason then gets his feet wet discussing the pluses and minuses of the Indians offense, Carlos Santana's on base percentage, Corey Kluber's amazing season, and the future of Cleveland's middle infield.  The duo wrap up the show with a Tweetmail, rehashing an old topic from an old friend.

Cross Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

This week, Chris Bradley joins Andy Burdick and the duo discuss truly weird baseball after Jesus Montero's season ends over ice cream and a Seattle Mariners cross-checker.  Andy then discusses the recent happenings with the Tribe, ranging from long-term Chisenhall projections to Cleveland's playoff chances.  Chris then discusses the Pirates playoff hopes, Pittsburgh's need to open their wallet this off season, and the future of Pedro Alvarez and Josh Harrison in the infield.  The gentlemen then wrap up with a big SeaWolves shout out to former Erie SeaWolf (current Detroit Tiger) Steven Moya, as well as general manager Greg Coleman finishing the season strong with the Two Knuckle Challege.  You won't want to miss this one, folks. 

Stetson Allie Onesies

On this week's episode, the Ginger Prince of Baseball Bob Finkbeiner makes his glorious return to the podcast to talk stick-ball with Andy and fill in while Jason is on paternity leave.  The duo start with discussion of Giancarlo Stanton as front-runner for National League MVP as all the other contenders drop like flies.  Andy then talks about the state of the union in Pittsburgh, re-signing Russell Martin, and the trade deadline deals that never were.  Bob then talks about the injuries that have been plaguing the Tribe and the value of Nick Swisher before talking contract extensions with Corey Kluber (The Klub-bot).  The two then wrap up with a SeaWolves shout-out, highlighting the Altoona-Erie series this weekend at Jerry Uht Park and discuss the potential of a Stetson Allie onesie for Jason's offspring.  Andy ends the episode by calling Bob 'Rob' for the first time ever for reasons unknown.

2014 Trade Deadline Edition

This week Andy and Jason team-up for a special Trade Deadline Edition of Tri-State at the Plate. The guys start things off by talking about the Indians decision to trade Justin Masterson, before moving on to all the juicy rumors that are swirling, including the Pirates reported interest in Red Sox ace Jon Lester.

Penny Pinching Pittsburgh Pirates

On this week's episode, Chris Bradley steps in to pinch hit for Jason and discusses the injuries that have been plaguing the National League Central teams other than the Pirates with Andy.  Andy then does his best to fill Jason's shoes while he talks about the founding father of the Corey Kluber Society, Corey Kluber, Jason Kipnis's weak start to the season, and Justin Masterson's struggles.  Chris then dives right into the action in Pittsburgh talking about the complexities of his feelings for Charlie Morton, how Gregory Polanco has improved Andrew McCutchen's offense, and what's happening down on the farm.  The duo wrap up with a SeaWolves shout out, highlighting not only the SeaWolves, but the other All-Stars Andy will see next Wednesday in Altoona at the Double-A All-Star Game.

Regal Ruggiero Returns

This week Andy and Jason discuss scandal in Houston. Andy then discusses Pittsburgh’s improved offense, their bullpen at length, Gerrit Cole’s refusal to rehab and speculative trade targets. Jason then asks Andy, “What’s wrong with the following players?” as they dive into the performances this year of Nick Swisher, Justin Masterson and Jason Kipnis, followed by a brief update on Francisco Lindor. The gang finishes with a SeaWolves shout-out.

BUCN TOOTBLAN and Other Acronyms

In the deafening absence of podcast co-host Jason Ruggiero, Tri-State at the Plate is pleased to welcome its newest co-host, Chris Bradley.  Chris joins Andy Burdick this week to talk about the unfortunate passing of one of the greatest hitters of a generation as well as a Clayton Kershaw no-hitter that may have been better than a perfect game.  The duo then discuss the Pirates TOOTBLAN issues, whether or not the Pirates should be buyers or sellers, as well as the Shark Tank's bullpen woes.  They also discuss the trade market in Cleveland before a SeaWolves Shout Out that is intentionally Steven Moya-heavy before concluding with Tweetmails from Buffalo, New York and central Pennsylvania.

The Chisenhall – Polanco Internet Explosion

On an extra-long episode of Tri-State at the Plate Jason and Andy discuss the potential baseball career of Johnny Football. Andy then discusses at-length Pittsburgh losing a one-hitter, a trouncing of the Brewers and Gregory Polanco’s arrival in the Steel City. Then Jason covers Cleveland's recent turn-around that’s been fueled by good hitting, good pitching and actual defense before telling everyone “I Told You So” about Lonnie Chisenhall. The duo then finishes up with the second-consecutive week of Step-on-the-Scale with questions that range from the probability of Vance Worley pitching in Pittsburgh this season to the catching situation in Cleveland.

The Michael Brantley Captcha Conundrum

This week Andy and Jason discuss ghosts before they talk about the lack of respect for Cleveland Indians players on the 2014 All-Star ballot. Then Jason recaps the usual reasons for the Indians struggles including dreadful defense and offensive offense before touching on the amateur draft.Andy raps poetically about Phillip Irwin, a.k.a. “Filthy Phil”, departure from Pittsburgh before he laments the coming four-game series with the Dodgers. The duo discusses Memorial Day baseball in Erie and the promotion of Eugenio Suarez to Toledo before finishing with a breathtaking new segment entitled “Step on the Scale”.

Guerrero Gives Olivo an Earful

This week Andy and Jason discuss Miguel Olivo’s ear-biting issues with Dodgers super-prospect Alex Guerrero. Andy then discusses at length the woeful start to Pittsburgh’s season but excitedly awaits Gregory Polanco’s promotion. Then Jason covers the Indians recent aversion from disaster and reviews the flurry of roster moves happening in Cleveland. The gang wraps up with Tweetmails and geographic accuracies