Pirates?

[gwilks98]

Anyone watching the Pirates/Cards series?
it's still WAY early, but the Pirates may have a competitive team this year. They're picking up a lot of tough pitches and driving runs.

At least, I'm hoping it's not that the cards suck this year.

Thoughts?

[Yossarian]

why be optimistic, its only been 16 straight years of under .500 baseball

[ray]

I think it's way too early to make any comments about a team, but i have a feeling the St. Louis starting pitching rotation is going to be weak compared to many other teams.

[guiseppewv]

I would love it if the Pirates were better than 500 this year but I am not holding my breath! :)

[attgig]

yeah. the pirates are promising compared to the past few years, but that's not saying much. I can't say i'm optimistic that they'll finish 500. a LOT of things have to go right at the same time.
andy L can't go through his slow start, adam L has to make good on his hype. McLouth has to show that last year's 1st half is more him than his second half. Doumit needs to stay healthy. the corner OF'ers need to be able to do more than hold down the fort or one of their AAA guys need to come up and make a big big splash.
and that's not even touching their rotation.
the top 3 are capable of being the top 3, but when have 3 promising young pitchers on one single staff come together and all three of them have had good years?

[guiseppewv]

I would love it if people didn't smirk when I wear my Pirates cap which is my favorite of all the hats I own. :)

[VTGreg]

The problem with many of the teams that run with such a small budget is depth. They can compete over the 1st half but many wilt in the 2nd half as the grind of the season begins to show.

With that said, it does seem like a new team jumps into the mix each year. The Pirates have some young players that look like they could be stars.

[gwilks98]

I think it's way too early to make any comments about a team, but i have a feeling the St. Louis starting pitching rotation is going to be weak compared to many other teams.


I don't know about that one. If Carpenter and Wainright can stay healthy that'll be key, and I'm pretty comfortable thinking Lohse is going to have a solid year. Wellenmeyer/Piniero: who knows...

I disagreed with LaRussa's old habit of putting slugging power in front of pujols. I'd see too many doubles in front of him, followed by an intentional pujols walk. I think he fixed that problem, putting Greene in the 2 spot, and putting Ludwick/Duncan/Molina behind Albert.

What scares me is the bullpen. They really didn't want to dump any money into it and it might start to show around mid season.

[attgig]

greene has some pop for a SS. he's not a slap hitter. he can be good for 20 hr's if he can get his pitch recognition down and stop K'ing so much.

[ray]

greene has some pop for a SS. he's not a slap hitter. he can be good for 20 hr's if he can get his pitch recognition down and stop K'ing so much.

he also go minor injuries frequently when he was with the Padres. if the guy can stay healthy, he's good for some decent stats.

[brainsmile]

I thought you were talking about the ones off Somalia

[Markel]

Don't get your hopes up, because this is the year for the CUBS!!!! :)

[Yossarian]

i've been hearing that for the past, what 107 years?

[gwilks98]

Don't get your hopes up, because this is the year for the CUBS!!!! :)

You guys don't deserve to win after the way you (Chicago) treated Steve Bartman. :D

Also, keep in mind that the only reason the cubs ran away with the central was because the bullpen couldn't stop blowing saves. We finished 4th, but had 3 more wins than our world series team. We'll see what happens this year, cubby. :)

[ski]

I thought you were talking about the ones off Somalia
This.




I've lived in Pixsburgh for over 10 years of my life, and while the new PNC stadium is one of the most beautiful parks right now, seeing a Buccos game in the past few years has only been enjoyable with about 4+ beers in your system.

This year won't be a great season, but building back up to around a 0.500 season.

[ray]

i've been hearing that for the past, what 107 years?

Yossy: 1, Cubsfan: 0

[Yossarian]

This.




I've lived in Pixsburgh for over 10 years of my life, and while the new PNC stadium is one of the most beautiful parks right now, seeing a Buccos game in the past few years has only been enjoyable with about 4+ beers in your system.

This year won't be a great season, but building back up to around a 0.500 season.


on the plus side, theres a few GREAT bars within stumbling distance of the stadium, and soon to be a casino