Monday’s “First Call” has a defensive back signing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jameson Taillon will be back this week for the Cubs. The Pirates have a tough trip to Milwaukee looming. And T.J. McConnell is tearing it up with the Indiana Pacers.
All A’s for Anthony Averett
Anthony Averett’s audition was successful enough that the Steelers have signed him.
The six-year NFL veteran was brought into the rookie minicamp for a tryout this weekend. The Steelers decided to sign the Alabama alum to a one-year contract.
The Steelers definitely need numbers at the cornerback position. At 5-foot-11, 184 pounds, Averett may be able to help the Steelers in the slot, where ranks are particularly thin.
Averett spent some time on the Detroit Lions practice squad last season. Prior to that, he was with the 49ers, Raiders and Ravens.
Baltimore selected Averett in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Averett has appeared in 51 career games, with 27 starts. He has 114 total tackles, 99 of them solo stops, three career interceptions and 23 passes defensed.
It doesn’t get any easier
After dropping two of three at home to the Chicago Cubs, the Pirates now have to go on the road to face the Milwaukee Brewers for three games starting Monday night.
The Brewers begin the series at 24-16, a half-game ahead of the Cubs (24-17) for first place in the NL Central. The Pirates are in third place at 18-23.
Milwaukee has plated 203 runs, best in the division. They have given up 168 runs, the fewest in the division. That plus-35 run differential is good for fourth in the NL overall.
The Pirates and Brewers split a four-game series at PNC Park earlier this year, with the Bucs winning the first two games 4-2 and 2-1 behind Jared Jones and Bailey Falter respectively.
Via MLB.com, Mitch Keller (3-3, 4.41 ERA), Quinn Priester (0-3, 3.86) and Martin Perez (1-2, 3.60) are the scheduled starters for Pittsburgh. Milwaukee will counter with Colin Rea (3-0, 3.29), Joe Ross (1-4, 4.75) and Robert Gasser (1-0, 0.00)
