First Call: Ex-NFL QB says Steelers should stick with Mitch Trubisky; former Pirates have different results in MLB postseason

Thursday’s “First Call” offers a different view of what the Pittsburgh Steelers should do at quarterback Sunday. A pair of former Pirates have different results in the MLB postseason. And we preview the Penguins’ opponent for their game Thursday night.

Wrong call

NFL Network analyst David Carr is not on board with the Steelers’ decision to start Kenny Pickett on Sunday in Miami — if he clears concussion protocol.

“Even if Pickett is cleared to play Sunday night in Miami, I think I’d still roll with Trubisky,” Carr wrote for a piece on NFL.com. “I know that’s not the approach Mike Tomlin is taking, stating on Tuesday that Pickett will start if he gets the medical green light. I fully appreciate that it’s tough when teams go back and forth between starters, but Tomlin can avoid some of the scrutiny because of how well Trubisky played in Sunday’s win over the Bucs — and because of how the original benching went down. Sometimes it takes a reality check for urgency to ignite in a player, and I’m hoping that’s the case with Trubisky.

“Trubisky and Pickett are pretty similar players, but the former has more experience. Play the vet now. Worst-case scenario? You eventually turn back to Pickett, giving him the reins for good.”

I get Carr’s logic. But, as I wrote Wednesday, sticking with Pickett is important. Playing yo-yo games with a QB on his third team in three years like Trubisky is one thing. Doing that to the first-round draft choice who is supposed to be the franchise’s QB of the future is shortsighted.

More Steelers news

• Tim Benz: Steelers' emergency players in secondary should get a longer look
• U mad, bro?: After beating the Bucs, 'How do you like us now?' is the theme from Steelers fans
• Minkah Fitzpatrick heads to adopted home to face former team when Steelers play Dolphins

Bell bouncing back

On Wednesday, we told you about Josh Bell’s struggles since joining the San Diego Padres via trade this summer.

The former Pirate was hitting .301 before he was shipped to San Diego at the deadline. After that, he hit just .192 for the Padres during the remainder of the regular season. Then he posted a meager .130 batting average through the first six games of the postseason.

Bell’s fortunes may have started to change Wednesday, though. In Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, the designated hitter went 3 for 4 with a home run.

BACK 2️⃣ BACK #CaptureTheMoment pic.twitter.com/BHoEodiorZ

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) October 19, 2022

Brandon Drury and Manny Machado also homered en route to an 8-5 win. The series is now tied at a game apiece. Game 3 is Friday night in Philadelphia.

Starting in a hole

Ex-Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon and his New York Yankees weren’t as fortunate. They lost Game 1 of the American League Championship Series in Houston, 4-2.

Taillon got the start against the Astros. He completed 4⅓ innings, allowing just one earned run on four hits and three walks with no strikeouts. He left with the game tied 1-1.

From there, though, the Astros took over the game with the long ball. Yuli Gurriel, Chas McCormick and Jeremy Pena all homered to take Game 1.

Jeremy Peña extends the @Astros' lead in the 7th! #postseason

(MLB x @CoronaUSA) pic.twitter.com/8RC86Lr6Jx

— MLB (@MLB) October 20, 2022

Meanwhile, Yankees batters struck out 17 times, 11 via Astros starter Justin Verlander.

All hail the Kings

The Penguins have started the 2022-23 season 2-0-1, winning both of their home games against the Arizona Coyotes and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Now they get the Los Angeles Kings at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday night. L.A. is 3-2 to start the year. They dropped their first two contests to the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken at home. But they bounced back to win three in a row on the road in Minnesota, Detroit and Nashville — the past two games in overtime and in a shootout.

The Kings have 19 goals so far. That’s the second-highest total in the NHL behind only the Boston Bruins with 21. However, Los Angeles has also given up 21 goals, tied with the Anaheim Ducks for the most in the league.

Four of Los Angeles’ five contests have been one-goal games.