The Latest Breaking News from David Bednar

CHICAGO — As the Pirates stepped off the team bus on Sunday night in Chicago, manager Derek Shelton had a brief talk with rookie outfielder Jack Suwinski.

PITTSBURGH — Daniel Vogelbach finished his swing, dropped his bat and stared toward the Clemente Wall in right field. The Pirates’ designated hitter found a low-and-inside fastball, and he did what many left-handed hitters do with pitches there — pulverized it. No question Vogelbach knew it was gone.

CHICAGO — The most optimistic Pirates projections never had anywhere close to what the bullpen has done.

Former Cub Jose Quintana and four relievers held the Cubs to seven hits — six of them singles — as the Cubs lost their fourth consecutive game.

PITTSBURGH — It’s only eight games into the season, but the Pirates have already enjoyed a crash course on what’s possible when you get competent pitching. And it doesn’t matter how it comes. Just keeping the other team remotely in check allows the offense to do its thing.

Breaking down relief pitchers based on their average draft position to find value and opportunity.