THE BULLPEN

Put me in coach! Your Pittsburgh Pirates take their show on the road to Cincinnati as they begin a 3 game series tonight with the Reds. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)The Pirates look to get back in the win column as they've lost three in a row. Don't need to lose #4, break out the bats and the Hit, Run, & Score! 2)During their 3-game sweep in Milwaukee the Pirates only managed 4 runs during the entire series. Score early, score often, score BIG! 3)The last time the Pirates faced the Reds, they defeated them 6-2 in the Wildcard game in October. Prior to that game, they swept the Reds in Cincy, allowing them to host the Wildcard. Beat the Reds again till they're black and blue! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

SLAP SHOTS

Slap me silly, Sidney, it's a hockey night in Pittsburgh! It's another Pucks & Bucs Day! Your Pittsburgh Penguins close out the regular season tonight against the Ottawa Senators at Consol Energy Center. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)The Sens have won 4 games in a row. #5 would be jive! 2)The Pens try to close out the regular season on a winning note following yesterday's 4-3 OT lose to Philly. Gimme a W! 3)The Pens have beaten the Sens 4 out of the last 5 games. Veto the Senators with a big dose of Goals, Goals, Goals! Let's Go Pens!!!

THE BULLPEN

Hey batter, batter, batter! It's another Bucs & Pucks Day. Your Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up their 3-game series in Milwaukee this afternoon as they battle the Brewers. These are your keys to today's game. 1)The Brewers have been on a tear, winning 8 in a row. We draw the line at #9! 2)The Pirates try to avoid the sweep today and salvage one game in this series. Trash the Brewers! 3)During this series, the Pirates have managed only 3 runs in 2 games. Break out the bats and the Hit, Run & Score! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

We want a pitcher, not a belly-itcher! Happy Bucs & Pucks Day! Your Pittsbugh Pirates continue their 3-game series with the Brewers tonight in Milwaukee. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)
The Brewers start RH Yovanni Gallardo. Gallardo has not allowed a run this season, going 2-0. Hit him early, hit him often, hit him HARD! 2)Milwaukee is 8-2, winning 7 straight. #8 would not be great! 3)The Pirates have RH Edinson Volquez on the mound. Last season, Eddy was 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA versus Milwaukee. Break out the Jolly Roger & Hit, Run & Score! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

 

SLAP SHOTS

Lookout Loretta, it's a hockey day in Pittsburgh! Happy Pucks & Bucs Day! Your Pittsburgh Penguins continue their final homestand of the regular season as they faceoff today against the Philthy Cryers at Consol Energy Center. These are your keys to today's game. 1)The Cryers have beaten the Pens 3 games in a row. I say, "No, No, No"! 2)The Cryers have scored at least 1 power play goal in 13 straight trips to Pittsburgh leading to a 10-2-1 record. The Pens are #2 in the NHL on the penalty kill at 85.8%.  With the return of D Kris Letang, the Pens need to shutout the Cryers power play. Hit 'em early, hit 'em often, hit 'em HARD! 3)In their last 5 games, the Cryers have been outscored in the 3rd period, 11-3. Crank up the Crue and the Goals, Goals, Goals! Let's Go Pens!!!

THE BULLPEN

One, two, three strikes, you're out! Your Pittsburgh Pirates begin a 3-game series tonight as they continue their road-trip against the Milwaukee Brewers. These are your keys to tonight's game 1)By defeating the Scrubs yesterday, the Pirates won their third series to start the season. That is the first time that has happened since 1992. Raise the Jolly Roger in Milwaukee! 2)Milwaukee has won 6 straight games. The Pirates look to start a streak and go for 2 in a row as LH Francisco Liriano tries to get his first win of the season. Shut 'em down, Frankie! 3)The Brewers scored 42 runs during their streak. The Pirates scored 17 times and cracked 7 home runs while taking 2 of 3 in Chicago. Score early, score often, score BIG with a heavy helping of Hit, Run & Score! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

Let's play 2! Your Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up their 3-game series with the Scubs in Chicago this afternoon. These are your keys to today's game. 1)The Pirates attempted a comeback from a 6-1 deficit in Chicago last night only to fall short, 7-5. Russell Martin and Pedro Alvarez both hit 2 homers each and Travis Snider had his first tater of the season. The problem is, all 5 homers were solo shots. Get those turkeys on the table! 2)While we're on the subject of food, the Pirates look to make some Chicago-style Meatloaf today as they try to take 2 outta 3 at Wrigley. Serve that Meatloaf up with a side of Hit, Run & Score! 3)The Pirates send RH Gerrit Cole to the mound today. Cole was 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA last season versus the Scrubs. All aboard the Cole Train! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

SLAP SHOTS

Eddie Spaghetti, it's a hockey night in Pittsburgh! Happy Pucks & Bucs Day! Your Pittsburgh Penguins play the first game of their final, regular-season homestand tonight as they faceoff against the Detroit Red Wings at Consol Energy Center. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)The Pens are at an 88.1% clip when scoring first, tops in the league. Score early, score often, score BIG! 2)The Red Wings look for another win as they defeated Buffalo last night, 4-2. Clip the Wings! 3)This could be a possible first-round matchup as Detroit is looking to make their 23rd straight playoff appearance. Fry the Wings with a side of Goals, Goals, Goals! Let's Go Pens!!!

THE BULLPEN

Buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks! Happy Bucs & Pucks Day! Your Pittsburgh Pirates continue their 3-game set in Chicago as they battle the Scrubs tonight. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)The Pirates have LH Wandy Rodriguez on the mound. The Scrubs start RH Jason Hammel. These two met last week in a Scrubs 3-2 victory over the Bucs. Hammel was the winner and Wandy suffered the loss. We don't want to see history repeat itself. Hammer Hammel! 2)The Pirates are looking for their 2nd straight win over the Scrubs, as they go for 3 in a row overall. If it's 3, it's for me! 3)Last night, the Pirates hammered out 11 hits, 4 for extra bases, in a 7-6 win. Keep the hit parade going with lots of Hit, Run, & Score! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

Hey batter, batter, batter! Your Pittsburgh Pirates take their show on the road to the friendly confines of Wrigley Field tonight where they'll battle their division foes, the Chicago Scrubs. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)The Pirates pitching staff has impressed in the early going, ranking in the top 5 in the majors in ERA-2.18, quality starts-4, WHIP-1.06 and BAA-.206. Line 'em up, and watch 'em fall! 2)The Pirates will start RH Charlie Morton who go not decision in last week's 16-inning, 4-3 win over the Scrubs. In his last 12 regular-season starts, Morton is 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA, inducing 78.7% ground balls. Grind 'em up, Ground Chuck! 3)After exploding for 12 runs on Friday night, the Pirates have only scored 3 in their last 2 games. Break out the bats and the Hit, Run & Score! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

BLUES N'AT

On April 4 the blues community celebrated the birthday of blues legend Muddy Waters. Today, Mrs. Black-N-Gold is digging the blues of Muddy Waters. If you're a fan of any type of music, chances are good that the genre that you enjoy, be it blues or otherwise, was someway touched by The Man.

 Born McKinley Morganfield in Rolling Fork, MS, in either 1913 or 1915, the youngster started out playing the harmonica and was given his famous moniker by his grandmother who raised him after Muddy's mother died shortly after his birth. Muddy ultimately took up the guitar in his teens and made his way north, to Chicago around 1940.

Unable to earn a living as a professional musician he went back to Mississippi where he ran a juke joint, often entertaining the patrons himself. It was also during this time that Muddy was first recorded, as Alan Lomax included him in his Library of Congress recordings.

In 1943, Muddy made the permanent move to Chicago in hopes of becoming a full-time musician. Muddy was given an electric guitar in 1945 and it would change the course of music history. Muddy's mastery of the electric guitar helped bridge the gap between the Delta Blues and Rock 'N Roll. Muddy started out recording for Aristocrat Records, eventually becoming world-renowned blues label, Chess Records. Muddy helped put Chess on the map and himself on the charts by putting his own stamp on many of songwriter Willie Dixon's songs and making them his own. Some of Muddy's better known songs include, "Hoochie Coochie Man", "I Just Want to Make Love to You" and "Got My Mojo Working".

The many musicians who played in Muddy's band is like a "Who's Who" of the blues" James Cotton, Little Walter, Junior Wells, Jimmy Rogers and Pinetop Perkins to name a few. In the late '50s, as his popularity was beginning to wane with black audiences, Muddy found a whole new generation of followers with white audiences here in the States and in Europe. Muddy and his contemporaries toured Europe playing the folk festival circuit, inspiring the likes of Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and AC/DC. Another devotee, Johnny Winter, produced a series of albums for Muddy in the 1970s, including Muddy's last recorded album, "King Bee".

The Blues Hall of Fame inducted Muddy in 1980. He passed on to the Big Juke Joint in the Sky on April 30, 1983. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame posthumously in 1987 and was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement in 1992. He left behind a catalog that continues to provide listeners with hours upon hours of vast listening pleasure.

To paraphrase Muddy, the blues had a baby and they named it rock 'n roll. And Muddy Waters was the father. He always had his mojo working. Until next time boys and girls. Keep It Bluesy!

SLAP SHOTS

Buy Sam a drink and get his dog one, too, it's a great day for hockey! Happy Pucks & Bucs Day! Your Pittsburgh Penguins wrap up their road trip tonight as they faceoff against the Avalanche in Colorado. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)The Pens look to serve-up some takeout Meatloaf as they go for 2 outta 3 on the road. Serve up some Goals, Goals, Goals! 2)The Avalanche go for win #7 in a row. I say No, No, No! 3)The Pens look to get back in the win column after they were shutout last night in Minnesota, 4-0. Put it on the net! Let's Go Pens!!!

THE BULLPEN

Root, root, root for the home team! Happy Bucs & Pucks Day! Your Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up their 6-game home stand this afternoon at PNC Park as they battle the St Louie Cardinals. These are your keys to today's game. 1)The Pirates will look to serve-up some Meatloaf today as they try to take 2 outta 3 from St. Louie. Serve it up with a big ol' plate of Hit, Run, & Score! 2)After driving in 12 runs on 16 hits on Friday night, the Pirates only managed to plate 1 run in last night's 6-1 loss, leaving 11 men on base. Don't leave those ducks on the pound! 3)The Pirates start RH Edinson Volquez. Volquez is making his first start for the Bucs. He pitched 2 shutout innings in relief versus the Scrubs on Thursday. He'll face last year's NL Cy Young runner-up, RH Adam Wainwright. Make him Adam WainWRONG! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

SLAP SHOTS

Get in the fastlane, Grandma, the bingo game is ready to roll! It's a great day for hockey! Happy Pucks & Bucs Day! Your Pittsburgh Penguins continue their road trip tonight as they faceoff against the Minnesota Wild. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)By clinching the Metropolitan Division title on Thursday night, the Pens won back-to-back division titles for the first time since 1992-93 & 1993-94. Next stop, Lord Stanley's house for his Cup! 2)Congrats to Pens Coach Dan Bylsma. Coach Disco recorded his 250th regular-season win with Thursday's 4-2 victory over Winnipeg. He is the fastest coach to reach that plateau (369 games). Disco Dan! 3)The Pens have beaten the Wild in their last 2 meetings. How do you tame the Wild? You beat them with Goals, Goals, Goals! Let's Go Pens!!!

THE BULLPEN

The crack of the bat, the thrill of the hit! Happy Bucs & Pucks Day! Your Pittsburgh Pirates continue their series with the St Louie Cardinals tonight at PNC Park. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)The Pirates start LH Francisco Liriano. Frankie was brilliant on Opening Day, becoming only the 4th pitcher in Pirates history to strike out at least 10 batters on Opening Day. Filthy Frankie! 2)With last night's 12-2 crushing of the Cardinals, the Pirates scored more runs than they did the entire Chicago series. Keep on BUCN with the Hit, Run, & Score! 3)The Pirates exploded last night for 16 hits. They were 6 for 11 with runners in scoring position. Don't leave those ducks on the pond! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks! Your Pittsburgh Pirates begin a 3-game series against the defending NL Champion St Louie Cardinals tonight at PNC Park. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)The Cardinals have RH Shelby Miller on the mound. Miller was 15-9 with a 3.06 ERA last season. It's Miller Time with a big, mug o' Hit, Run, & Score! 2)The Pirates go with RH Gerrit Cole. Cole looks to improve upon his impressive rookie campaign of last season when he was 10-7 with a 3.22 ERA. All aboard the Cole Train! 3)Both the Pirates and St Louie sit atop the NL Central in the early going at 2-1. Both have a +1 run differential. After taking 2 of 3 in their opening series, the Pirates look to win another series against a division opponent. Let's see Cole45 shoot down the Red Birds! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

SLAP SHOTS

Donna needs a doughnut, it's a great day for hockey! Happy Pucks & Bucs Day! Your Pittsburgh Penguins take their show on the road to Winnipeg tonight where they'll faceoff against the Jets. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)The Pens begin this 3-game road trip looking to clinch the Metropolitan Division. The Pens have thrashed the Jets and their previous incarnation, the Thrashers, 18 of the last 21 times. It should be a cinch to clinch! 2)Congrats to Pens C Sidney Crosby. In Tuesday night's 4-1 loss to Carolina, Sid became the first player in the league this season to record 100 points. The is the fifth time in his illustrious career that Sid has reached the century mark. In Sid we trust! 3)Both the Pens and the Jets are a woeful 4-5-1 in their last 10 games. Ground the Jets with lots of Goals, Goals, Goals! Let's Go Pens!!!

THE BULLPEN

Let's play two! Happy Bucs & Pucks Day! Your Pittsburgh Pirates close out their season-opening series this afternoon with the Chicago Scrubs at PNC Park. These are your keys to today's game. 1)The Scrubs have RH Jason Hammel on the hump. Hammel was 7-8 with a 4.97 ERA last season. The Pirates typically make pitchers like this look like Cy Young. Say "sayonara" to Cy Young with plenty o' Hit, Run, & Score! 2)The Pirates start LH Wandy Rodriguez. Wandy was 6-4 with a 3.59 ERA last year prior to landing on the DL for most of the season. Help us, Wandy! 3)The Pirates look to sweep the Scrubs straight outta town. Break out the brooms! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

THE BULLPEN

Take me out to the ballgame! Your Pittsburgh Pirates continue their series against the Chicago Scrubs tonight at PNC Park as they go for 2 in a row, weather permitting. These are your keys to tonight's game 1)The Scrubs start RH Edwin Jackson. Jackson had a pretty rough season last year, going 8-18 with a 4.98 ERA. Give him the ol' Hit, Run & Score! 2)The Pirates counter with RH Charlie Morton. Morton was 7-4 with a 3.26 ERA last year. Grind 'em up, Ground Chuck! 3)The Pirates won Monday's home opener thanks to Neil "Homeboy" Walker's 10th inning, walk-off homer run, 1-0. Let's see those cannonballs fly outta PNC! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

SLAP SHOTS

I'll be cow-kicked, it's a hockey night in Pittsburgh! Your Pittsburgh Penguins look to continue their winning ways as they faceoff tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes at Consol Energy Center. These are your keys to tonight's game. 1)The Pens go for 3 wins in a row. If it's 3, it's for me! 2)The Hurricanes are playing the 2nd of back-to-back games tonight. The lost a shootout 2-1 last night. Kick 'em while they're down! 3)The Pens go for 7 in a row over Carolina. Nothing would be fina than some Goals, Goals, Goals! Let's Go Pens!!!