The Pittsburgh Pirates have benched Isiah Kiner-Falefa just four at-bats shy of a $250,000 performance bonus, a move reminiscent of past instances involving other players. Kiner-Falefa, who started the season with the Toronto Blue Jays, opted out of the final game against the New York Yankees to allow a younger player to take his place.

This decision raises eyebrows, especially as Kiner-Falefa struggled after joining the Pirates, batting only .240 in 215 plate appearances. The Pirates conclude their season with a game against the Yankees, having finished with a record of 76-85.

Liover Pegeuro delivered a clutch two-run double, and Luis Ortiz excelled on the mound as the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 Wednesday night.

Ortiz pitched seven solid innings, allowing just one run and striking out five batters. Pegeuro, recently called up from the minors, made a significant impact with his double that brought in two runs. Despite some late-game tension, Aroldis Chapman secured the save for the Pirates.

In a solid performance, Willy Adames of the Milwaukee Brewers notched his first 30-20 season in a 7-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. With two hits, including a double, Adames secured his 20th stolen base and 32 home runs, becoming part of a historic duo with rookie Jackson Chourio.

The Brewers' offense was potent, with contributions from Rhys Hoskins and Sal Frelick, as they capitalized on errors from Pittsburgh's defense. Hoby Milner earned the win, pitching a perfect fifth inning.

It's the penultimate Thursday of the 2024 MLB regular season, and teams vying for playoff spots are giving more strategic attention to their lineups. The article outlines DFS picks for an important six-game slate, with attention on players from the New York Mets and their anticipated success against Taijuan Walker.

The analysis details key pitchers and hitters while highlighting optimal strategies for DraftKings and FanDuel lineups. Notable players include Yusei Kikuchi, Kyle Tucker, Bryce Harper, and others who have notable performances in recent games.

The 2024 season was a challenging one for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who finished last in the NL Central and were eliminated from postseason contention by mid-September. Despite the struggles, the emergence of Paul Skenes, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2023 draft, offered a glimmer of hope. He made a significant impact, earning an All-Star selection shortly after his debut.

Additionally, rookie Jared Jones proved to be a bright spot before injuries interrupted his season. However, significant issues plagued the team's bullpen, with closer David Bednar's performance dropping dramatically. The team also saw disappointing seasons from players like Ke'Bryan Hayes and Jack Suwinski, prompting questions about their futures.

This offseason presents a crucial opportunity for the Pirates to address their weaknesses and build for a competitive 2025. Their rotation, led by Skenes, Jones, and Mitch Keller, shows promise, but bolstering the bullpen and infield will be necessary. With a clear need for improvement, ownership must decide whether to invest in key free agents as part of their rebuilding efforts.