Just when you thought MLB blurred the lines between the American League and the National League this season, with interleague games and a universal designated hitter, PNC Park is ready to blow your mind.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are ready to welcome their True North neighbors, the Toronto Blue Jays, with open arms to share their stadium this summer.
The Blue Jays were deported from the Toronto Rogers Center by the Canadian government, which has been closely monitoring their borders due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“In an effort to help return the game we all love,” Pirates president Travis Williams said in a statement, the club is discussing the possibility of the Blue Jays playing at PNC Park.
“This will be a monumental challenge for our staff, but bending down to help others is what Pittsburghers does best.”
It is a noble gesture of pirates, whose hands are as big as their hearts. They left no doubt that they could make a financial profit, which is important after they announced licenses, office pay cuts and retirement benefit freezes during the sports shutdown.
“If we are able to safely accommodate,” Williams said in the statement, “it will not only bring additional international attention to our city, but will also bring jobs and income for hotels, restaurants, and other local businesses that will support the Tile Organization, as well as additional visiting teams. “
Not to mention making money for the local baseball club.
1. Programming problems: The Pirates are certainly the most convenient solution, given Pittsburgh’s proximity to both Toronto and its Eastern League and National League East Division opponents.
There are seven dates when your local times overlap.
On July 29, when the Blue Jays were supposed to play their first game at home against reigning World Series champion, the Washington Nationals, the Pirates play the last game of their first game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
There are no more conflicts until September, when the Pirates play against the Chicago White Sox and Blue Jays are scheduled to host the New York Yankees from September 8 to 9 and the Pirates play against the Chicago White Sox and Blue Jays and the Yankees again. 21-24.
There’s a solution: The Pirates are only at home once, against St. Louis on Sept. 20, on the six scheduled days off in Toronto. MLB would have to shuffle to allow the Blue Jays to play at PNC Park on the other five days available.
After a quick ride on the turnpike, we are here. # LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/aNs1WZpb9O
– Pirates (@Pirates) July 20, 2020
2. Good for Shelty: Pirates manager Derek Shelton, who used to work for the Blue Jays, had no qualms about sharing the stadium with Toronto this summer.
“Well, we don’t play them, do we? They didn’t change the schedule, so we played them, ”Shelton said. “I think if it is a situation where they need a place to play and we can help, then I think we should do it.” I feel like the big league teams should play in the big league stadiums, and if it works well above my salary level to be found out, then I think it would be great. “
3. Sharing is caring: Shelton does not see how it would adversely affect the Pirates, given that they are not scheduled to play in Toronto or share common opponents.
“I know it wouldn’t affect us in our clubhouse or our weight room or our training room, and the fact that they would be there on the days we are free would really have no effect on us,” Shelton said. “The only thing that could affect is our rehab guys, but our rehab guys would come and go early in the morning, before they came in. So it really wouldn’t have any effect on us, because they wouldn’t be using our part.” of the facilities, of, as I said, the little I know about it. “
But that is only half.
Sharing the stadium with another team means doubling the number of players inside the stadium on a daily basis, increasing the risk of spreading covid-19. The Pirates, who have had four players allow them to publicly confirm that they tested positive, must take greater precautions for their protection.
4. My house is your house: Pirates pitcher Trevor Williams is sympathetic to the Blue Jays, saying they are “seriously disadvantaged” by not playing at their home stadium, even if fans are unable to attend games.
“As long as they can play,” Williams said. “They are in a really difficult situation. I think the whole league wants them to have a home. If you want to make North Shore your home by 2020, of course. If that ends up happening, there will only be a few extra precautionary steps with our health protocol and our staff. It will be a busy, busy summer at PNC Park.
“Unfortunately, not everyone will be able to watch.”
He practiced this here last year in the Derby. #Ringit 🔔 pic.twitter.com/PcOEXe5XRT
– Pirates (@Pirates) July 21, 2020
5. Buc ohs: The pirates have left-hander Derek Holland slated to start Wednesday in the final exhibition game against Cleveland, preventing him from pitching the opening weekend in St. Louis. Shelton did not reveal who will pitch Sunday against the Cardinals or how the rotation will be established.
Shelton said first-place prospect Ke’Bryan Hayes, who missed all training camp after testing positive for covid-19, worked Monday at PNC Park. Hayes could have contracted the coronavirus on his way to Pittsburgh from Houston, as he had a layover at a crowded Chicago airport. The season is expected to start at the Altoona satellite camp.
Receiver John Ryan Murphy was added to the 40-man list on Sunday after Luke Maile underwent surgery that ended the season on his right index finger. Known for his defense, Murphy has received a pass in every exhibition game against Cleveland.
Colin Moran is 4-for-8 with two singles, a double, and a home run in both exhibition games. Moran went 2 for 5 as DH on Monday night, while Phillip Evans started third and had a home run and a double.
Adam Frazier is 0-for-6 while hitting third in both games.
Guillermo Heredia, who started in right field, is 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs in both games. Josh Bell was hot in the sixth inning, hitting a double against the left center wall on Saturday and going to the opposite field with his home run on Monday.
Williams laughed at how the Indians hit three consecutive flying balls to center fielder Jarrod Dyson in the first inning, including one he chased to catch him on top of his glove.
“I threw it with three balls to run down,” Williams said. “But he said he was behind me and I’m excited that he patrolled center field for us.”
Kevin Gorman is a writer for the Tribune-Review. You can contact Kevin by email at [email protected] or by Twitter.
Categories:
Pirates / MLB | sports
