The 28-year-old former Texas Tech pitcher is arguably the biggest surprise on one of baseball's biggest surprises: the winning Pittsburgh Pirates.
PITTSBURGH — Jeff Karstens heard the chatter. Hang around the fringe as long as the Pirates right-hander has and it’s hard to ignore.
Manager Clint Hurdle heard it too. He saw the reports labeling Karstens a “five and 75 guy,” meaning once he got through five innings or 75 pitches, things started to get ugly.