Let's Go Bucs!

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in the playoffs for the first time in 21 years.  Tonight is a big night for the city and everyone will be watching, even the big rubber duck.  Check out these predictions for tonight's game along with five wild card questions about the Reds vs the Pirates.
The Reds and Pirates have been playing each other since 1882; Chester Arthur was the president then.
NL Wild Card: Reds at Pirates

 They have played each other five times in the postseason: 1970, '72, '75, '79 and '90; the '72 National League Championship Series was one of the best.

Now they will play one game: The winner advances and the loser goes home. It will be the first postseason game for the Pirates since 1992. PNC Park will be rocking. It can't get much better than this.

Here are five questions.


How ready is Johnny Cueto for this start?

Cueto was on the disabled list for 10 weeks with a pulled muscle in his side. It was so bad, by late August, Reds manager Dusty Baker said the best-case scenario was that Cueto would pitch out of the bullpen in the postseason. Instead, he made it back for two starts in September. He pitched 12 innings, while allowing eight hits and one earned run.

"I saw one of those starts," one scout said. "He looked good, not like a guy who had been hurt."

The Reds had planned on starting Mat Latos in this game, but an elbow injury kept him out. Cueto is the Reds' best pitcher when he is healthy, but is he strong enough having thrown just 12 innings since late June?

What should be expect from Pirates starter Francisco Liriano?

We're never quite sure, but he was far less erratic than in the last few years: 16-8, 3.02 ERA and a .224 batting average against made him Pittsburgh's best pitcher this year.



He got this assignment, in part because he is devastating against left-handed hitters: a .131 batting average, and only two extra-base hits (no homers), in 130 at-bats this season.

Three of the Reds' best hitters, Joey Votto, Jay Bruce and Shin-Soo Choo, bat left-handed. Votto and Bruce do well against lefties, but Choo hit only .215 and slugged .265 (no homers) against lefties. Choo is the guy who makes things go at the top of the Reds' order.


What does momentum mean at this time of year?



The Pirates won five of their last six games -- they allowed a total of 11 runs in those games -- and swept the Reds in Cincinnati the final weekend of the season to secure home-field advantage for the wild-card game.

The Reds lost their final five games of the season, scoring a total of eight runs. One scout said the series last weekend in Cincinnati "looked like two teams going in opposite directions. But things can change fast in October." Just ask the Reds. Last year, they won the first two games of the division series against the Giants in San Francisco, then lost three straight at home to get eliminated.


What are the Reds' plans for Billy Hamilton?

His speed is a weapon that other teams don't have.
  Hamilton

He went 7-for-19 at the plate in September and stole 13 bases in 14 tries. Teams usually win in October because they have a strong bullpen and a strong bench; bringing Hamilton off the bench to pinch-run and steal a base could steal the Reds a victory.

Hamilton might not be ready to play center field every day, and he's still learning to switch-hit, but no other team in the playoffs will have anyone quite like him coming off the bench in the late innings.


What is the status of Pirates closer Jason Grilli?



All good. He missed six weeks with a forearm injury, but he returned Sept. 4 and has been impressive since.

Grilli

He saved three games during the final week of the regular season -- running his total to 33 for the season -- giving the Pirates 55 saves this year, most in the NL.

With Grilli, the Pirates' bullpen is loaded; Mark Melancon, who did a nice job filling in for Grilli, can return to his role as the eight-inning setup guy. Only the Braves had a better bullpen ERA than the Pirates (2.89) this year. And now it appears the Pirates' pen is at full capacity.

The pick: Pirates win.

Halloween Themed Party Snacks

Whether you're planning a party soon or have a sweet tooth you enjoy indulging, this recipe is one you should check out. If you've heard of Puppy Chow, then you're already aware of the fantastic treat we're talking about, and if not you're about to! Check out "Party Recipe: Dark Chocolate & Nutella Puppy Chow"

Dark Chocolate & Nutella Puppy Chow

Makes about 5 cups

5 cups Chex cereal
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread (such as Nutella)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Place the cereal in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt and pour into a gallon-size zip-top bag.

Place the dark chocolate, Nutella and butter in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30 second bursts until the chocolate and butter have melted. (If you don't have a microwave, melt the mixture in a double boiler instead.) Add the vanilla and stir until smooth. Immediately pour over the cereal and stir gently until evenly coated. Transfer the cereal to the zip-top bag and shake until well-coated with the cocoa powder mixture. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon powdered sugar and shake again.

Spread puppy chow onto a baking sheet and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Let cool completely. Puppy chow tastes best within 1 to 2 days of making it, but will keep in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Recipe Notes

• Any type of Chex will work, but I like corn Chex for its nutty taste and uniform shape. It is also gluten-free.
• Adding the last tablespoon of powdered sugar separately gives the puppy chow a more uniform color and appearance. If you're not in it for the aesthetics, you don't have to bother with this step; simply add the extra tablespoon to the cocoa powder mixture.

(Images: Leela Cyd Ross)

Original Article Here: http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-dark-chocolate-nutella-puppy-chow-recipes-from-the-kitchn-193540

The Giant Rubber Duck is Almost Here

A giant rubber duck is coming to Pittsburgh as part of the Festival of Firsts.  However, everyone that floats on the river needs a party.  Check out the Rubber Duck Bridge Party this Friday with special hosts Mikey and Big Bob.



Launching the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts

Sixth Street Bridge
Friday, September 27, starting at 5:30pm

To launch the Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will be closing the Sixth Street Bridge to welcome The Rubber Duck to Pittsburgh and to the United States for the first time. Festivities for the evening include the appearance of the 4-story high, three-story wide Rubber Duck, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s Night Market on the bridge with food and art vendors, and special guest appearances that are to be announced. Opening the event will be hosts Mikey and Big Bob from KISS FM with DJ Scottro playing tunes into the evening.

The Rubber Duck Bridge Party will run in tandem with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Fall Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District - a free quarterly showcase of art and entertainment. For more information regarding the Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts, visit TrustArts.org/First.

5 Ways to Clean Your Apartment in Minutes

Do you ever get the text or phone call that says you will have unexpected company in five minutes?  Check out these great tips on how to make your house appear clean even when you do not have time.  You can learn more great apartment tips at apartment therapy.

So you get a text message that tells you company is dropping by and they're only 10 blocks away. Don't panic. Take a deep breath, now panic and check out these 5 tips for making your house appear clean in a flash. That's right, I said appear. Who has time to really clean in 10 blocks?

1. Clean the Three T's: Toilets, Tabletops, the Television. What? The television? Yup! Most living rooms are centered around your tv and the amount of dust that hangs on it, your netflix stack and dvd box set pile that's off to one side could be tell tale signs of why the rest of your house isn't exactly spotless. Plus if you sit chatting in the living room, you'll be staring at it wishing you would have moved it. Toilets and tabletops are a bit more self explanatory, but important none the less.
 
2. Stash with Efficiency: When company drops in we've all been in a situation once or twice where things get tossed in a basket and shoved in the spare bedroom or closet. It's a quick solution, but it can be done with more efficiency so you can find your stuff later on. Add things to your basket according to the room they go in. That way when company leaves, you can remove the items easily without making 100 trips across your house or apartment to put things where they belong.  

3. Pet Hair: Even if you have a sparkling clean house, if your sofa is covered with a layer of dog or cat fur, it suddenly looks less tidy. Keep a rubber glove or your favorite pet hair busting product on hand to knock it all down in a few sweeps.
 
4. Dishes Be Gone in Seconds Flat: Please don't judge me for this tip. Admitting that I've done it more than once is punishment enough alright? So here goes. Put your dishes in your oven. Wait, what? If you pile your dishes in the sink then it looks like you threw them all in there at the last minute as everyone knows you can't really wash dishes in that manner and you'll still look like a slight slob, even though you have clean counters. Instead, grab a baking sheet and stack like items together and slide them in the oven. They'll slide right back out, be prestacked and ready to be washed so you can recover from the guilt you just gave yourself for following through with this tip. Side note: don't preheat your oven... even by accident... until they're removed.

5. Spend 5 Furious Minutes on Your House Everyday: Isn't that cheating? We're talking about last minute company here, not preparing all week long for them to come! True, but think about how much you can clean in those few minutes before they arrive. 10 blocks isn't much. With traffic and parking and walking up your stairs, 5 minutes is a safe estimate. Bring that panic to your life every day and clean with the same intensity for just 5 minutes and your house will always look better for it. Plus, you still have time to watch Raising Hope without telling yourself you'll pick up on commercials.

Behind the Scenes at Heinz Field

Everybody has seen Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. You can not miss the bright yellow seats when you are driving over the Fort Pitt Bridge.  However, have you really ever "seen" Heinz Field?  Check out these great behind the scenes tours that are offered at the stadium.  You can learn more at Living Pittsburgh.

Tours of Heinz Field provide guests with a behind-the-scenes look into the Great Hall, Clubs, Luxury Suites, Press Box, Field, South Plaza, and much more! Get up close and personal with this famous Pittsburgh landmark, and it’s affordable too! The tour is about 90 minutes long.
 
Walk-Up Tours
For Heinz Field walk-up tours you do not need to make a reservation in advance. The walk-up tour is designed for groups of less than 10 people.
 
September and October – Mondays and Fridays – 10 am only
Blocked off tour dates include August 29-30 due to the Rib Festival and September 2^nd due to Labor Day.
Tour prices are the same for walk-up and group tours. We do not have any group rates or discounted rates.
 
Adults = $7.00
 
Students/Children (ages 18 and under) = $5.00
 
Senior Citizens (ages 55 and up) = $5.00
** School groups only will receive one free adult chaperone for every 10 students you bring.
 
** Please note: If your bus driver(s) or school nurse(s) plan on taking the tour, you must include them in your total count.
For additional information, please visit the Steelers website.

The Future for this Year's Steelers

The Steelers game was rough on Sunday.  The team has lost a few players for the season, but they are already looking for the future.  Resigning Dwyer is the first step in a successful season. Keep reading to learn more about the Steelers season, and their hopes to be successful despite the challenges they face.  You can learn more at NFL.com.

One week ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers wanted nothing more to do with Jonathan Dwyer, but the events on Sunday changed all that.

NFL Media's Steve Wyche reported Monday that the running back was expected to re-sign with the Steelers, according to a source with knowledge of the developments, after the team lost LaRod Stephens-Howling for the season with a torn ACL.

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first reported the news.

Pittsburgh was victimized by a string of injuries in a 16-9 defeat to the Tennessee Titans. Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey (torn ACL) and linebacker Larry Foote (ruptured biceps) both are expected to miss the season, and Stephens-Howling's loss leaves the Steelers paper-thin in the backfield.

Isaac Redman and Felix Jones are the only healthy ball carriers on the roster until rookie Le'Veon Bell's foot is full-go. Redman struggled against the Titans defense, rushing eight times for 9 yards with a fumble before he was benched in the second half. Jones barely played.

Dwyer is a known commodity, something the Steelers value. What they reportedly weren't excited about was his work ethic, but in a time of need, he'll be given another chance. At least until Bell is ready to make his debut.

Great Burger Deals in the City

Are you a burger fan? There are burger deals every day in the city.  This list will make sure to satisfy your burger craving any day of the week. Keep reading to find out the deals of the day.  You can learn more at Living Pittsburgh.






Mondays

$1.00 burgers at Pleasant Bar in Pleasant Hills from 4-11:30pm. Go at the right time and get great drinks specials, too!

Michael’s Pizza Bar & Restaurant in the South Side offers $1 burgers on Mondays from 4-11pm. Toppings are .25 cents extra.

Tuesdays

Rock Room, a local favorite in the Polish Hill area of town, offers $2 burgers and .75 cent fries on Tuesdays from 8-10pm. During the last hour, you can also get $1 PBRs.

$1.00 1/2 lb Angus burgers at Bar Louie & Red Star Tavern from 5pm – close. (Toppings are .25 – .50 cents extra.) If you’re there from 5-7pm you can also take advantage of happy hour priced specials, including 1/2 off appetizers, all drafts are $3.00 (including crafts), $4.00 for all glasses of wine and $5.00 martinis.

$1.00 half pound burgers at Loose Moose all day in Baldwin. Hit their happy hour from 4-6 and you’ll also get any drink for 2 bucks!

Wednesdays

Coppertops in the South Side has a great burger special on Wednesdays from 4-10pm. All 20 of the 1/2 lb burgers on their Burger Board are $3 and served with fries and a pickle. All 24 draft beers are also $3 during the burger special.

Mulligan’s in West Mifflin has $1.50 burger night from 4pm to midnight. Cheese is and bacon are extra, but basic toppings are free. They also have $2.00 Miller Light drafts.

Thursdays

$1.00 burgers at Pleasant Bar in Pleasant Hills from 4-11:30pm. Go at the right time and get great drinks specials, too!

Monday – Friday

1/2 lb cheeseburger at McCormick & Schmick’s. This one is loaded with toppings and also comes with fries in a basket for only $3.95! The special is available in the bar during happy hour and requires a minimum $3.25 drink purchase per person. They also have a list of other great food items for $2.95-$5.95 and a few select drinks on special. If you go on a Monday to the South Side location, you can also catch a $6.00 flick at the SSW Cinema after your finished with dinner.

Don’t worry about driving or parking – take the bus. It’s easy! Use Port Authority’s Trip Planner to get a quick, customized route. Getting to these great wing nights couldn’t be easier!

If you know of any places in Pittsburgh that offer a special on great burgers, please let us know! (Full sized burgers for $2.00 and under, or offered with fries/side for $4 or less.)