On today’s Bucco Brew, we look at Pittsburgh’s struggles against left-handed pitching and some potential offseason targets who could help, discuss Wyatt Sanford’s breakout and what the next wave of Pirates prospects could look like, and figure out how much work still needs to be done with a bullpen that cost this team too many games in 2026.

Alex Stumpf breaks down both Championship Series and explains why he’s sticking with his Rays-Brewers World Series prediction. Can Milwaukee’s depth and bullpen finally knock off the Dodgers?

Pirates catching prospect Easton Carmichael joins North Shore Nine for a Get To Know You conversation from the Arizona Fall League.

The Pirates have the foundation of a potentially excellent bullpen with Mason Montgomery, Luke Weaver and Lake Bachar, but there are still plenty of holes to fill. Alex looks at Carmen Mlodzinski’s uncertain role, Yohan Ramirez’s 2027 outlook and why Pittsburgh may need to add one or two more leverage arms this offseason.

The Pirates expected their rotation to be among baseball’s best in 2026, but that never really happened. Alex Stumpf breaks down Paul Skenes’ step back, the growth of Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler and Jared Jones, and what Pittsburgh should do with Mitch Keller and its pitching depth this offseason.

The Pirates are watching October baseball from home, but how far away are they really? Tonight on NS9LIVE!, we build Pittsburgh’s hypothetical playoff rotation and lineup, decide which late-season breakouts are actually real, and look at what the teams still playing have that the Pirates don’t.

The Pirates got more production from catcher in 2026, Rafael Flores Jr. showed legitimate offensive upside and Henry Davis developed into a strong defender. Alex Stumpf breaks down why the position is still far from settled entering 2027, including Flores’ defensive concerns and struggles against velocity, Davis’ offensive limitations and Endy Rodriguez’s uncertain future.

Alex Stumpf breaks down where Nick Gonzales, Spencer Horwitz, Jared Triolo and the rest of the current group fit, what prospects like Murf Gray could eventually provide, and why the Pirates may have to go outside the organization for another impact infielder.

The Pirates’ 2027 offseason is already starting to take shape. DiNardo and the crew break down the latest arbitration projections, what Pittsburgh’s payroll could look like next season, and the bigger question: how much does this team actually need to spend to take another step forward?

The Pirates have started looking toward 2027, and Alex Stumpf is going position by position to figure out where this roster needs to improve.