Paul Skenes Will Be Fine. The Pirates Bullpen Might Not Be.

Opening Day was supposed to feel like the start of something big. Instead, it raised a bunch of uncomfortable questions. On this episode of OffBeat, Alex Stumpf reacts to the Pirates’ ugly 11-7 loss to the Mets, breaks down Paul Skenes’ uncharacteristically rough first inning, and explains why Oneil Cruz’s defensive mistakes mattered but should not define the story. Alex also digs into the bigger concern that came out of Game 1: a bullpen that already looked shaky in the exact areas many feared coming into the season. It is one game, but it was the kind of one game that immediately puts the spotlight on some real pressure points. Subscribe to Alex's Substack: https://bookrulebucs.substack.com *Get your tickets to the April 18th game in the NS9 Group: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Northshore9tailgate0418 Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee Use Promo Code NS9 for 30% off your first order at https://www.gritily.com Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show! NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com ►Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine ►Website: https://www.northshorenine.com ►Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine ►Discord: https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.