Don Kelly and the Pittsburgh Pirates have pressed a lot of the right buttons to start the 2026 MLB season. Kelly has done a very good job as the skipper of this team, as the Pirates currently sit at 10-7 and are tied for first place in the National League Central.
There were some questions about why the Pirates did what they did on Tuesday against the Washington Nationals, a game in which they lost 5-4. The Pirates decided to pinch-hit Nick Yorke, giving him an at-bat over Brandon Lowe. It was a big moment in the Pirates' game, as a left-hander was on the mound. However, it didn't work out, as the Pirates were unable to scratch together a run in that at-bat.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Kelly spoke about why he decided to do what he did, and a lot of it made sense.
“It was strategic, liked Yorke right there as far as contact ability,” he said, per Audacy.
“It’s a tough decision,” Kelly explained. “I always like to make it about the guy. We’ve talked about as a team, it’s going to take 26 guys. I know Lowe had the home run earlier in the game against lefties. Just liked the matchup with Yorke there as far as putting the ball in play and making contact, and he did. He smoked it, unfortunately right at the second baseman.”
Despite the move not working out as well as Kelly and the Pirates were hoping for on Tuesday, we have to look at this as a process-over-results type of thing.
Most teams in Major League Baseball would platoon a left-handed hitter for a right-hander who can put the ball in play, and even Lowe understands that. The veteran has been around this game long enough to understand that some decisions aren't in his control and that he needs to do what's best for the team. This was one of them.
“I thought it was the right move to be truly honest,” Lowe said. “Take the personal opinion out of it and look at it with a baseball mind. It was bases loaded, one out, lefty on the mound, lefty in the ‘pen and you go to a guy who sees lefties really well, doesn’t strike out against them, tying run on third base. I had no problem with it.”
I love hearing that he didn't disagree with the move, as this is something that only gives more confidence to the team and Kelly.