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

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to analyze the special teams unit.

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey answers reader questions.

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin react to the club's series win against the Cincinnati Reds this week at PNC Park. How did the club's starting pitching trio of Paul Skenes, Bailey Falter and Mitch Keller have so much success against the Reds, allowing only three runs all series? And how can that be a catalyst for the pitching staff moving forward? On the other end of the spectrum, how can the Pirates offense, which only mustered six runs in those three games, improve? Is it time for general manager Ben Cherington to make a trade to add a bat? And how important will David Bednar and Colin Holderman be out of the bullpen? Our duo tackles those topics and more.

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Mike's Beer Bar, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to break down the team's QB competition between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Why does national media perceive the battle to be a 50-50 proposition, when locally it's clear that Wilson has the starting job comfortably heading into training camp? What should we make of Fields' demeanor about his current role as the backup? And is coach Mike Tomlin handling the competition correctly by giving Wilson such a comfortable pole position?

Our duo tackles those topics and also ponders Najee Harris' buy-in as he's set to inherit such a large role in Arthur Smith's new offense. Then later, Christopher welcomes Pirates insider Andrew Destin to react to Paul Skenes' latest start against the Cincinnati Reds, as well as a 2-1 loss to the same opponent on Tuesday night.

Note: This Steelers segment was meant to be posted Monday, but was not in error. We hope you enjoy it now.

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts to the passing of San Francisco Giants and MLB legend Willie Mays through a Pittsburgh lens, as well as the Pirates' latest loss to the Cincinnati Reds. He also gets into some hockey topics. Among them: Could the Penguins acquire Columbus Blue Jackets standout Patrik Laine at a discount in a trade this offseason? And does the comeback bid by Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final have legs?

On his weekly Chipped Ham and Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider welcomes ESPN analytics guru Seth Walder. The duo tackles the team's upcoming appearance on HBO's Hard Knocks as well as GM Omar Khan's offseason moves so far -- an possibly moves to come. What do the analytics say about the trade for Justin Fields and the signing of Russell Wilson to make up the team's quarterbacks room? Will Diontae Johnson be missed more than expected after he was traded to the Carolina Panthers for Donte Jackson? Could a trade for the San Francisco 49ers Brandon Aiyuk that fans have long clamored for actually make this team a contender? What are realistic expectations for rookie offensive linemen Zach Frazier and Troy Fautanu? And where does this team fit in the division with the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals statistically?