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2009 Pittsburgh Pirates Odds & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on March 23, 2009

Pirates 32309 All I have to say to you Pittsburgh sports fans is thank God for the Steelers and the Panthers. It’s been a long time since the Pirates have boasted stars like Roberto Clemente and Barry Bonds, which means that it’s been a long time since this team was a winner. In fact, Pittsburgh has endured 16 straight losing seasons to tie in-state rival Philadelphia for the most consecutive losing seasons in MLB history. I wish I had good news for the city of Pittsburgh, but it appears inevitable that the Pirates will endure a 17th straight losing season. So the game of acquiring young talent and trying to develop it continues in Pittsburgh in 2009. The Pittsburgh Pirates are listed at +15000 to win the World Series.

Pitching
Southpaw Paul Maholm was the only Pirates starter the team could count on consistently in 2008. He posted a 3.71 ERA and led the team in wins. Ian Snell had a rough 2008, posting a 5.42 ERA. He often put the Pirates in a hole before the first inning was out, allowing 22 of his 107 runs in the first inning. Southpaw Tom Gorzelanny had an ERA approaching 7.00 and had more walks than strikeouts. Southpaw Phil Dumatrait and right hander Jeff Karstens will be leading candidates for the last two rotation spots. If it sounds bad, it’s because it is. The Pirates starting rotation had an NL-worst 5.36 ERA, allowing opposing batters to hit .300 against them. As now, only Maholm’s job is safe.

With as bad as the starting rotation was in 2008, the bullpen struggles came as no surprise because of all the extra innings that the relievers logged. Matt Capps missed the first two months of last season with bursitis in his shoulder, but he came on strong to save 21 games. We really won’t know what this group is capable of if they continue to log too many innings due to the starters inability to get the job done.

Lineup
It’s going to seem a little bit different without Jason Bay and Xavier Nady in a Bucs uniform on Opening Day. Center fielder Nate McLouth will be among the new fan favorites. He became the first Pirate to win a Gold Glove award since 1993. He slugged 26 homeruns and added 94 RBIs. First baseman Adam LaRoche will be counted on to produce big power numbers as well. He slugged 25 round trippers and 85 RBIs last season. Brother Andy will likely be across the diamond at third, but the Pirates have some good third baseman prospects coming up which could break up this band of brothers in the near future. Catcher Ryan Doumit had 34 doubles, 15 homeruns, and 69 RBIs in just 116 games. He looks to be a good one. Steady veteran shortstop Jack Wilson enters this season as the all-time hits leader at PNC Park. He was shopped in the offseason, but there were no takers so Pirates fans will get to continue to watch one of their all-time greats for at least another half season. Right fielder Steve Pearce, left fielder Brandon Moss, and second baseman Freddy Sanchez are expected to round out the lineup.

Prediction: 6th Place NL Central
The life of a Pittsburgh Pirates fan has been rough for quite some time and it won’t be getting much better in 2009 as another losing season in inevitable. The Pirates were 50-2 in 2008 when leading after seven innings, which was the best mark in the NL. So all they have to figure out how to do is quit falling behind. That likely falls on overhauling the starting rotation. The Pittsburgh Pirates are listed at +4500 to win the NL Central.

Make this the best MLB betting season of your life by beating the MLB odds with Jimmy Boyd’s award winning baseball picks.

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