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 Ray Fittipaldo to preview the team's rookie minicamp. What will the NFL draft class that includes Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, Roman Wilson, Payton Wilson, Mason McCormick, Ryan Watts and Logan Lee show in their first workouts with the team? Do any of these players have a chance to start Week 1 -- or at least early in their rookie seasons?

Our duo tackles those questions, plus reports that former linebacker Bud Dupree has been in contact with the Steelers about a possible return. Then later, Pirates insider Noah Hiles joins Chris to preview Paul Skenes' MLB debut against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday at PNC Park.
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On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey tackles reasonable expectations for former No. 1 overall MLB draft pick Paul Skenes' MLB debut, scheduled for Saturday against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. He also explains why GM Ben Cherington and the front office kept word of Skenes' promotion a tightly held secret and what the promotion of Nick Gonzales could mean for the club's struggling offense.

Later, he analyzes the Steelers' signing of veteran WR Scotty Miller, arguing the receivers room needs more talent behind Georgie Pickens as the No. 1.
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Charlotte Heyward-Wesley, mother of Steelers Cameron and Connor, talks with Post-Gazette Health reporter Abby Mackey about raising a houseful of children — all of whom she instilled with a respect for others and a drive to do good.  

Check out the Post-Gazette's newly launched 412 Kids parenting podcast for more conversations like these: https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/412-kids-parenting-podcast/
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In his weekly YouTube appearance, Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise joins host Adam Bittner to react to the Steelers' NFL free agency signing of WR Scotty Miller, who most recently played under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith with the Atlanta Falcons. Could Miller be useful? Or is he just the latest in a slew of uninspiring free agent signings that includes Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins? Does Smith's offense really require a strong No. 2 receiver across from George Pickens? Or is the emphasis on the running game with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren all that really matters? And is there still a chance GM Omar Khan gives quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields a bigger-name weapon between now and the start of the season?

Our duo tackles those questions, then gets into some Pirates topics. Can Paul Skenes really help the team's results much as the offense continues to scuffle? How long will GM Ben Cherington allow 1B Rowdy Tellez to scuffle before giving his roster spot to minor league standouts like Nick Gonzales, Jake Lamb and Ji Hwan Bae? And are Oneil Cruz's early struggles more related to his 2023 injury? Or the Pirates clear issue with developing hitters overall?
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On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson to talk about Paul Skenes ahead of his MLB debut, scheduled for Saturday against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. What makes the former No. 1 overall MLB draft pick special? How did the Tigers' run to a College World Series title last season prepare him for success at the sport's top level? And how does he compare to former Washington Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg, whom Johnson coached against when Strasburg was in college at San Diego State? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
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The Pirates are calling up No. 1 prospect Paul Skenes, who will make his major-league debut Saturday against the Cubs. What does this mean for Jared Jones and the Pirates, who lost 5-4 on Wednesday afternoon to drop a winnable series to the visiting Los Angeles Angels at PNC Park? Will Skenes be on a pitch count? Does it even matter if the Pirates can't hit? Our duo discusses those topics and more.


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