North Shore Drive podcast - Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, Penguins and more Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Mike's Beer Bar, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to react to the latest from OTAs. How are LBs Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson making strong first impressions? Why has Darius Rush been the name to watch at CB? And how is George Pickens handling his transition to the No. 1 WR role? Our duo tackles those questions and much more.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey answers reader questions. Among them: Does the Pirates' Dave Parker belong in the Baseball Hall of Fame? Should manager Derek Shelton be on the hot seat after back-to-back ugly losses that included big blown leads? Should GM Ben Cherington consider a trade for a first baseman amid recent struggles by Rowdy Tellez and Connor Joe? And why hasn't Tellez been DFA'd yet?

Jason tackles those questions, plus more on other fronts. Including: When will Penguins GM Kyle Dubas make his first trade of the offseason? Would it be a disappointment if the Steelers start worse than 3-0? And Can West Virginia's Beanie Bishop win the slot cornerback role as an undrafted free agent?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin react from PNC Park to the club's series loss against the San Francisco Giants this week. What went wrong for the Pirates? Is their bullpen fixable after imploding and giving up big leads in two straight games? How did rookie sensations Jared Jones and Paul Skenes fare in their outings this week? Is it time for Ben Cherington to make a move and say goodbye to Rowdy Tellez? Was Aroldis Chapman a wasted signing? And how can Jack Suwinski re-find his form after being demoted to Triple-A Indianapolis? Our duo tackles those topics and more.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his weekly YouTube appearance, Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise joins host Adam Bittner to react to Steelers OTAs. Is the hype for QB Justin Fields coming from some fans and media a reflection of his actual talent level? Or is it being rushed by a yearning for him to bring stability at the position after years of uncertainty amid the transition away from Ben Roethlisberger? Should the Steelers have sought a clearer long-term option this offseason? Or was adding Fields and Wilson at bargain rates still the right play?

Our duo tackles those questions and also ponders the expiring contracts of Najee Harris and Cam Heyward. Then later, Paul explains why he thinks the Pirates' 1-2-3 rotation combination of Paul Skenes, Jared Jones and Mitch Keller could be enough to get the club to the postseason if names like Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds can find ways to hit just a little better.


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey weighs in on Penguins coach Mike Sullivan's appointment to lead Team USA in the upcoming 2026 Olympics. Does the selection prove his value as a coach, even as some fans worry his message has gotten stale? Does his reputation around hockey put pressure on his Penguins players to be the solution to the team's two-year streak of missing the Stanley Cup playoffs? And what should we make of Sheldon Keefe joining the New Jersey Devils after some rumors tied him to the Penguins organization?

Jason tackles those questions, then gets into the Pirates. Specifically the struggles of the bullpen and free agents Rowdy Tellez and Aroldis Chapman. He also offers his thoughts on Pittsburgh serving as host for the 2026 NFL draft and the potential for the league to move to an 18-game schedule.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive, presented by Mike's Beer Bar, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to recap the first day of OTAs on the South Side. Is there an actual competition between Justin Fields and Russell Wilson for the No. 1 QB job? Or just a lot of talk about it? What kind of pressure is on George Pickens as he becomes the top wideout and how is he handling it? How did new receivers including Quez Watkins, Van Jefferson and Scotty Miller look on Day 1? And did we gain any clarity on how things might be working out at tackle between Dan Moore Jr., Troy Fautanu and Broderick Jones? Why can names like Dean Lowry, Isaiahh Loudermilk and DeMarvin Leal potentially take advantage of Cam Heyward's absence amid his contract dispute? And what other questions does this team need to answer before training camp? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices