First Call: Steelers’ MLB 1st-pitch fun; T.J. Watt deemed NFL 2nd-best pass rusher
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According to ESPN.com, T.J. Watt is the second-best pass rusher in the NFL. In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we’ll tell you who finished atop the voting.
Also, some Steelers first-pitch fun. Highlights for a current Pirate and a former Buccos star.
Plus, Tampa Bay’s mayor gets her wish. Now let’s see if it plays out the way she wanted.
‘Watt’ more can he do?
ESPN.com produced a list of the top edge rushers in the NFL. Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt finished second. Watt’s 15.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss led the league.
According to the website’s researchers, Watt led the league in pass-rush win rate at 29.1%. They also claim his 40 caused incompletions led the NFL. Pitt alum Aaron Donald was the next closest at 30 with the Los Angeles Rams.
Via ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, an NFC defensive coach reported that Watt is “not the most explosive guy. But he’s so damn relentless and smart and technically perfect that he just wins. He’ll probably have a Hall of Fame career for all those reasons.”
The only player to finish in front of Watt was Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett. Watt was ranked seventh last year.
Former Steeler turned Tennessee Titan Bud Dupree fell into the “others receiving votes” category.
Take me out to the ballgame
A pair of Steelers showed off their baseball skills Monday. One of them was first-round draft choice Najee Harris.
He threw out the first pitch before the Giants hosted the St. Louis Cardinals in San Francisco.
NFL running back and Bay Area native Najee Harris threw out the first pitch pic.twitter.com/EUohpPT0Dp
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) July 5, 2021
Also, tackle Zach Banner threw out the first pitch at PNC Park before the Pirates’ 11-1 win over the Atlanta Braves Monday night.
Let’s hope his blocking is better than his pitching from the mound.
At least Banner had a sense of humor about it.
On a scale 1-10 how bad was that?
— Zach Banner (@ZBNFL) July 5, 2021
In the words of Spinal Tap, I may have to turn that up to 11.
‘Cutch clobbers the Cubs
Former Pirate Andrew McCutchen had a big night as the Philadelphia Phillies crushed the Chicago Cubs 13-3.
Cutch just keeps on crushing it. pic.twitter.com/u5NKd4L7as
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 6, 2021
That was one of three hits for Cutch in five at-bats. He scored twice and had an RBI.
The Phillies have now won three of four, and the Cubs have lost 10 in a row.
Gamble on Gamel
Pirates outfielder Ben Gamel had a huge game for the Pirates en route to their 11-1 beatdown of the Atlanta Braves Monday night.
Gamel was 3-for-5 with two homers and six RBIs.
TWO #BenGamelBlasts tonight at PNC Park!
Gamel goes 3-for-4 with 2 HR, 6 RBI, and 3 Runs scored leading the @Pirates to an 11-1 win over the Braves.
Rob King and @theFortMcKenry have highlights, analysis, & postgame reaction coming up next on AT&T SportsNet! pic.twitter.com/bXsm1pH0rs
— AT&T SportsNet™ PIT (@ATTSportsNetPIT) July 6, 2021
During his six-game hitting streak, Gamel is 8-for-19 (.421), with four home runs, eight RBIs and eight runs scored.
Ask and you shall receive
Well, she got her wish.
Before Monday night’s Game 4, Tampa Bay Mayor Jane Castor said she was hoping that the Lightning would let the Montreal Canadiens win Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final so that the series could shift back to Tampa with the Lightning poised to win Game 5 on home ice.
HOT TAKE: Mayor @JaneCastor thinks the Bolts should ditch the sweep and win the #StanleyCup in 5. What do ya think, #bolts fans? #GoBolts @TBLightning @BN9 @SpecSports360 pic.twitter.com/edPLUlAR3H
— Adria Iraheta ⚡️ (@AdriaIrahetaTV) July 4, 2021
She must be happy because the Lightning lost 3-2. They hardly seemed on board with the plan, though. The Bolts forced overtime with a goal from Patrick Maroon at the 13:48 mark of the third period.
Now we’ll see if Castor’s master plan will be fulfilled if the Lightning can close out the series in Game 5 Wednesday.