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The Pittsburgh Pirates faced off against rival Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon looking to pick up a sixth straight win. They’d do so, in part, thanks to an incredible jinx administered by the home team’s broadcast crew.
During the sixth inning of play, Pittsburgh announcers successfully spoke an Andrew McCutchen home run into existence. That homer would break a 0-0 tie, giving the Pirates a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
McCutchen was facing off against Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez. The lefty has been one of the team’s most consistent arms in the rotation, posting an ERA less than 3.00 while having allowed just two home runs across 19 appearances.
Knowing that, commentators Kevin Young and Greg Brown did everything they could to give the Buccos a spark.
That consisted of not once, but twice, providing a jinx throughout the at-bat.
The first came with a comment on McCutchen, who hadn’t left the yard since July 2nd.
“You almost feel like Andrew McCutchen’s about to do something, he’s dressed like a superhero,” you hear in the booth as the outfielder stepped into the batter’s box.
They turned the attention to the man on the mound a few pitches later.
“We talk about Sanchez, how he never gives up home runs… If I didn’t mention it earlier, I thought we did.”
Moments later, McCutchen turned on a 3-1 delivery and sent it 431 feet to the stands in centerfield. An absolute no-doubter.
THE PIRATES BROADCAST JUST SPOKE AN ANDREW McCUTCHEN HOME RUN INTO EXISTENCE
107.7 MPH exit velocity, 431 feet, HR in 30/30 ballparks https://t.co/KMKqP8hlmK pic.twitter.com/RvEooucEIJ
— Platinum Ke’Bryan (@PlatinumKey13) July 21, 2024
“What?! Andrew McCutchen homers… 1-0 Bucs!”
“The superhero has arrived!”
The Pirates would build on that 1-0 lead by adding another run in the sixth and a pair more in the eighth to leave with a 4-1 victory. They have the broadcast crew to thank after securing that sixth straight win!