I talked to my buddy, Ultimate Warrior, before the season started. I predicted they would go 30-30 then just tank. I pointed to the lack of starting pitching and an offense that would be very inconsistent. I thought the bullpen would do okay, as Pirates bullpens always seem to be able to produce.

The odd 30-30 record took me back to the Tampa Rays series a few years back. The Pirates had just gone to .500 with a 30-30 record and everything seemed to be on the up and up. This would FINALLY be the year the team would end the curse of Sid Bream. I got the same feeling from this team. Every year I seemed to ask myself "when will they lose 10 of 11 or 7 of 8."

Naturally, the Pirates made me look like a smart man with a 30-30 record this season. They got it from just the opposite. They have great starting pitching from all five starters. They have a LOUSY offense. The bullpen seems to be doing pretty okay.

What I didn't predict:

Jeff Karstens being great
Kevin Correia doing well
Charlie Morton pitching with CY Young type numbers
Evan Meek struggling
None of the Pirates batters would hit over .300

What I did predict
Doumit to get injured
Mccutchen to prove he belongs
Hanrahan to be lights out as closer
Alvarez to struggle mightily


There have been emotional ups and downs. During losing streaks I kept telling my friend this team wouldnt even get 30-30. During winning streaks, I thought they could pull out 85-90 wins.

The Pirates are beating up on the bad teams right now. They are playing well against the great teams on occasion.


So what do you guys think. Are the Pirates as predicted? Are they better than you thought? What do you see for the future?


Personally, I'm going to hold true to my prediction. The Pirates will falter. KC will come back down to earth, as will Karstens. Maholm will be traded. Alvarez will have a season that ends on a high note, but with even more questions than before. Morton will continue to dominate, but then make a lengthy trip to the DL.

With the offense struggling, and the starting pitching in ruins, the Pirates will finish the season

70-92.

Going 40-61 the rest of the way (if my math is right)

80-82

(not based on anything -- just a guess that they'll make it real close.)

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r n

The bats are coming around, especially Cutch and Tabata. The catching position could really hurt for the next month.

I'll say the Pirates contend for the wild card and win 85 to 90 games.

I'm not going to predict a record, but I think they are going to do a helluva lot better than you or anyone else thinks.

I say no second half melt-down. And at some point we will have a slugger in the middle of the lineup.

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Playing football was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. If I could go out today and suit up, I would do it.--Jack Butler

I'm with you, bro!

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Playing football was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. If I could go out today and suit up, I would do it.--Jack Butler

I hope this comes true but i think it's overly optimistic. Like Hacksaw said, the offense is putrid. And with Meek struggling, i dont have much faith in Resop or Veras. I'll go with 75-87. Call me a debbie downer or whatever, but this team just doesnt have the offense to contend - yet. I am very encouraged by what the future holds though.

I was thinking 78-84, but it really depends on what kind of moves they make.

I would dangle Maholm or Correia in front of the Yankees to see what it take to get Montero. They love them some pitching and I think they are going to move the guy. It will obviously take more to get that done, but I would put out feelers.

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This is Getting Old


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I'm going to stick with the prediction I made during spring training. 73-89

76-86, this line-up sucks outloud. Pitching will keep the Bucs respectable.

7

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This post consists solely of the opinions of the author, and should in no way, shape or form be interpreted as an assertion of fact.