iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

I think the pitching has absolutely been disappointing but not to the level that the offense has been shockingly great. It’s actually one of the most remarkable things I can remember given last season.

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Run differential is kind of tough for me because so many people sacrifice it to save bullpen arms when games get at all lopsided.

But you can also argue if they didn’t get God-like production from a bunch of call-ups that weren’t even in the plans before injuries, they’d be five or ten games under too. I think they’ve had a lot more go right than wrong given the personnel, but that’s me.

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They’re now 27 and 19 in one run games too for all of the consternation about the bullpen blowing the season.

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He’s a career sub .800 OPS player in the minors and a .742 OPS in about a full season of AAA. He’s also not super young for those levels or anything. It’s not common for someone to just permanently figure it out and drastically exceed those numbers in the majors to say the least.

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The dude had a line of .228/.362/.342 in like 300 AAA PAs before he came to Pittsburgh where everyone has magically had a career season offensively in 2026, so I think I’d take a wait and see approach.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

You look like you are actually sitting in my seats.

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Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

The whole Miami basketball team was at our game last night supporting RyRob.

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Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

My wife is a dermatologist and she's cut various moles off my body and it's always a fairly miserable experience.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Endy at least absolutely raked in AA and A+ so I can at least see that one as sustainable progress. Flores is kind of hard to believe, but this whole season of Pirates offense hasn't really made any logical sense.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Just seems like everybody they bring up to the MLB roster this year hits which is the opposite of the usual Pirates experience. His line in basically a full season of AAA at bats is .244/.365/.377, so it's hard to imagine it being sustainable, but sports is weird.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

His entire existence largely depends on teams chasing his sweeper. If that doesn't happen, he could conceivably walk an entire lineup.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

I feel like it's a reflection of how bad the franchise has been for the last forty years or so that you'd be honoring a player like him who had one great season and was otherwise just another guy.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Happy Birthday dude! I hope it's the best year yet for you guys.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

I would have liked to see them address some of the other holes, but you can't say they didn't meaningfully improve the bullpen. It's honestly just somewhat nice to see them as buyers with other teams around them like the Marlins and Nats selling.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

If these other teams were actually playing well or showing signs of pulling away, I’d probably feel differently. But I think they’re all mediocre or worse. Even the Phillies.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Probably true although it’s still very, very early. Given how flawed every one of the teams vying for the NL Wild Card are, I’m really not all that concerned just yet.

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Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Lost in the last two games is the fact that this Reds team is absolutely wretched. Just a dreadful baseball team.

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Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

That trade was only fine conceptually if you believe that had Chris Archer pitched well in Pittsburgh, that would have made a big difference for a contending team. But that team wasn't even close to a contender, which made dealing high ceiling prospects a bad idea generally.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

I think they figure they'll just try to get guys some rest by throwing all of the AAA guys tonight knowing that this Reds offense is so bad, and hope they can get away with it.

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Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

I think the biggest issue that his command is so spotty and his walk rate is so high that he's not someone you want to rely upon in an important role or situation. His ERA has been good in 2026, but the peripherals don't exactly instill a ton of confidence.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

They must be doing something right especially when you see what is happening with starting pitchers around MLB.

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Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

The health of the starting pitchers has been remarkable the last two seasons though. They haven’t even missed a turn in the rotation due to injury.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

This Marinaccio guy looks like he's going to fit into this bullpen perfectly.

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Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

I'm not at all a blame the manager guy, but intentionally walking the bases loaded for a dude that never has any idea where the ball is going is definitely a choice.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

The Pirates will be 29 and 17 in day games if they hold on to win today. Not entirely sure what to make of that but it’s not insignificant.

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Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Didn't Dennis Santana throw a punch at a Yankees fan from the bullpen last season? He comes to New York and loses his mind for some reason.

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Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Again, I don't know how anybody is making this mistake because that Gavin Williams has actual talent.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

If the Pirates can’t win this season with every position player on the baseball team in god mode, it isn’t happening in my lifetime.

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Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Just dropping in to inform you that it might not, after all, be coming home.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Loved the Fieldhouse. Place would absolutely shake at its best - what a homecourt advantage. The Willard Years were rocky, but a lot of talent went through Pitt during that time.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

The Pirates are basically getting career years from almost every single position player and are somehow one game under .500. It is mind blowing stuff.

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Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

I’ve been in Philly coaching my team in a shootout this weekend and it sounds like I’ve missed some seriously Piratey baseball.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

They are really struggling offensively this season thus far though. They are like the opposite of the Pirates - everybody is below career norms. I feel like it might be a good time to see them.

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Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

OK that response was absolutely electric. Good on you Seattle.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Messi. The absolute best to ever do it.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

The Paul Skenes discussions are super interesting. He's clearly not been as effective in preventing runs, but his K/9 is up and his BB/9 is down from last season, as is his WHIP. His hard hit % is down too. Other than allowing more HRs, it is tough to pinpoint any big issues.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Man they simply can't handle Pulisic 1 v 1 at all so far.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Keep in mind, for people who grew up in Long Island, the ABA New York Nets were a pretty big deal with Dr. J. Several of my buddies in college were Mets, Jets, Nets and Isles fans, probably because their parents were.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Oh my dear word Jedi what a strike!

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Given the money differential between starters and relievers in both arbitration and otherwise, he has every right to be upset given how he's pitched IMO.

Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Rooney just pooped on the potty for the first time and if this sticks it will go down as one of the greatest days of my adult life.

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Gavin Williams @gavwill13.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

The MLB season is so long that you are bound to have streaks in both directions, but it's critical for teams like the Pirates to take care of teams that are clearly scuffling like the Cubs are right now. They look absolutely hapless.