Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz showcased his remarkable arm strength, delivering a throw clocked at 105.2 mph to assist in tagging out Seattle's J.P. Crawford at the plate during a recent game. This impressive feat marks the second-fastest recorded throw resulting in an outfield assist since the inception of Statcast in 2015, just shy of Aaron Hicks' record of 105.5 mph. Cruz's throw was pivotal during the first inning following a well-placed single from Jorge Polanco.

Using his towering 6-foot-7 frame, Cruz executed a precise one-hop throw to catcher Henry Davis, who successfully applied the tag. This performance adds to Cruz's growing reputation as a Statcast sensation, having previously recorded the hardest-hit ball since tracking began with a 122.9 mph home run.

On July 2, 2025, the St. Louis Cardinals (47-40) face the Pittsburgh Pirates (37-50) in a pivotal matchup at PNC Park. After a narrow 1-0 victory, secured by a sacrifice fly from Henry Davis in their latest game, the Pirates look to complete a sweep over the Cardinals, who are on a two-game losing streak. Pittsburgh has been on a scoring spree, amassing 38 runs during a five-game winning streak and 55 runs across a 7-2 run, putting them in strong form. In contrast, the Cardinals aim to bounce back from their recent losses, despite a solid 10-5 record in their last 15 games.

The starting pitchers for the game are Sonny Gray (Cardinals), boasting an impressive 8-2 record and a 3.36 ERA, against Mitch Keller (Pirates), who struggles with a 2-10 record but a respectable 3.90 ERA. Gray's last performance was stellar, throwing a complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts. Oddsmakers favor the Cardinals at -140 on the moneyline and predict a close game with an over/under set at 8 runs. Expert predictions suggest a play on the Cardinals to win and lean toward the over on total runs. Follow along as the action unfolds!

The Pittsburgh Pirates achieved a remarkable fifth consecutive victory, narrowly defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 1-0 at PNC Park. The game's only run came in the eighth inning, initiated by a single from Ke'Bryan Hayes, followed by Adam Frazier's pinch-hit double that positioned runners at second and third. Henry Davis drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly, sealing the game for the Pirates. On the mound, Paul Skenes delivered a stellar performance, pitching five scoreless innings and striking out five, while effectively navigating a challenging third inning.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are facing a significant setback with the recent injury of catcher/first baseman Endy Rodriguez, who has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a lacerated right index finger. The injury occurred while catching during a game against the Washington Nationals, where he was hit by a pitch thrown by Paul Skenes. Rodriguez's absence is compounded by existing injuries to other players, leaving the team thin at multiple positions.

With Rodriguez sidelined, the Pirates' catching situation is precarious. Henry Davis is the only healthy catcher available, while Joey Bart remains out with lower back soreness. Abrahan Gutierrez has been called up from Triple-A Indianapolis but has not yet been added to the active roster. Rodriguez has struggled this season, hitting just .178 with two RBIs, which highlights the Pirates' ongoing challenges in offensive production.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have officially kicked off their spring training with their first game against the Baltimore Orioles in the Grapefruit League. Set to take place at Ed Smith Stadium, the Pirates lineup features promising talents like Nick Gonzales and Henry Davis, who hopes to rebound from a lackluster major league stint after a strong minor league career. Davis, the 2021 first overall pick, faces stiff competition from teammates Joey Bart and Endy Rodriguez for playing time behind the plate.

Carmen Mlodzinski, who had a solid previous season with a 3.38 ERA, is poised to further establish himself as a reliable pitcher for the Pirates. As the team prepares for the season, manager Derek Shelton maintains faith in Davis, emphasizing a patient approach to his development. This spring, the Pirates are focused on integrating their young talent and shaping their roster for the upcoming season.