Rookie pitchers could have major roles down the stretch

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PITTSBURGH — With a brother who’s a doctor, a sister who’s a lawyer and another brother with a Ph.D., Jameson Taillon’s parents get asked the same question time and again.

“What are you putting in the water?”

Their response is fairly simple, Taillon says. When a handful of driven, like-minded individuals cluster together, they rub off on one another. They police each other, and they inspire each other — no need to spike the water.

With the Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline approaching, the Pirates have three rookie pitchers in or near their rotation. Nine players made their Major League debut with Pittsburgh in the first half of the season. When competing for a trip to the Majors or finding that consistency once they get there, the trio of Taillon, Chad Kuhl and Tyler Glasnow have worked together to sharpen their skills and prepare each other.

“When we were in Triple-A, we were all going through the same thing together, so we had that boat — hype, whatever, wanting to make the next step,” Taillon said. “We didn’t really compete against each other, we competed with each other. But we were all in the fight together, and that still applies.”

As the Pirates look to play into the postseason, they …

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