Series Preview: Orioles at Pirates

Dear Pedro,

How are you doing? I hope you’re doing well. I heard you hit a home run last week. I was happy to hear that, Pedro.

I hope people are nice to you back in Pittsburgh. You deserve that. We all went through a lot together, Pedro.

I keep thinking about that hit you had in the 2013 playoffs. Not the home run. The single off the lefty, Siegrist. We were flying high that night, Pedro. I think the whole city felt invincible when you got that hit. Everything was on the upswing.

I wish I could go back to that moment. I’d like to relive it. In some ways, Pedro, I’d like to give things another try from that point on.

But things work out in funny ways. Don’t they, Pedro?

You know what else I’ll always remember about you, Pedro? There was a thing on the scoreboard between innings — you probably don’t even remember doing it. The question was, “What would you say if the entire world was listening?” All the fellas had funny answers, Pedro. Jason Grilli made a big fart noise and everyone laughed. But then you came on the screen and said all softly, “Just be nice.”

That spoke to me, Pedro. Sure, I always wanted to think you were a good guy, but that said a lot about you. I’d always felt bad when people booed you — What were you supposed to do? — but I really felt it after that. You didn’t deserve that, Pedro. You were just a dude trying to play baseball.

I hope I get to see you play this week, Pedro. I hope you hit one into the river for old times’ sake.

But whatever happens, I just hope you’re well, Pedro. You deserve a place where you can just hit dingers like you were meant to. And, most importantly, Pedro, you deserve to be happy, on the field and off.

Take care, Pedro.

Season Series: 2-0 Orioles

At Baltimore

June 6: Orioles 6, Pirates 5, 10 innings

June 7: Orioles 9, Pirates 6, 11 innings

Schedule

Tuesday, 7:05 p.m. - Kevin Gausman (11-10, 4.61 ERA) vs. Trevor Williams (6-9, 4.18), TV: AT&T SportsNet

Wednesday, 7:05 p.m. - Gabriel Ynoa (2-2, 3.41) vs. Chad Kuhl (7-11, 4.31), TV: AT&T SportsNet