2011 Pittsburgh Pirates Predictions
While the Steelers and Penguins have given Pittsburgh sports fans plenty to cheer about in recent years, the Pirates have given them headaches for nearly two decades. The Bucs went 57-105 in 2010 for their 18th straight losing campaign. Baseball odds makers have listed the Pittsburgh Pirates at +20000 to win the 2011 World Series.
Pitching: Southpaw Paul Maholm finished second in the NL in losses (15), runs allowed (119) and hits allowed (228) last season, and yet he is perhaps the closest thing the Pirates have to an ace. The Bucs are hoping that newcomer Kevin Correia can provide a boost to the rotation in 2011. He showed flashes with San Diego a season ago and finished 10-10 with a 5.40 ERA.
James McDonald is a guy who could be poised for a breakout season. He posted a 3.52 ERA after being acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline. Pittsburgh could use a bounce back season from Ross Ohlendorf, who went just 1-11 in an injury-plagued 2010. The numbers don’t tell the entire story, however, as Ohlendorf was often a victim of poor run support. The team has to be encouraged by the way he pitched down the stretch (2.68 ERA in last 11 starts).
Scott Olsen will be among those battling for the fifth spot in the rotation. He has some work to do after going 0-6 with a 10.04 ERA down the stretch with Washington last year.
The bullpen shows a little more promise with guys like Joel Hanrahan and Evan Meek. Hanrahan became the first Pittsburgh reliever to record at least 100 strikeouts in a season in 26 years. Meek, the team’s lone All-Star a season ago, finished with a 2.14 ERA despite slightly less productivity in the second half.
Lineup: Led by center fielder Andrew McCutchen, the outfield is the strength of this team. McCutchen is considered the focal point of Pittsburgh’s rebuilding project. He hit .286 with 16 home runs and 56 RBIs in 2010. He also tallied 33 stolen bases.
Jose Tabata and Garrett Jones are expected to flank McCutchen. Tabata is coming off a strong rookie campaign, which saw him hit .380 with runners in scoring position. Jones has led the Bucs in home runs each of the last two seasons, but his difficulties with lefties have the Pirates thinking about playing Matt Diaz when a southpaw is on the bump.
First baseman Lyle Overbay, second baseman Neil Walker, shortstop Ronny Cedeno and third baseman Pedro Alvarez are the projected infield starters. Overbay has decent home run power, but he is a doubles machine. He has mashed at least 30 doubles in seven straight seasons. Walker was a pleasant surprise last year, hitting .296 with 12 homers and 66 RBIs in just 110 games. Cedeno has all the raw ability to be a quality shortstop but has struggled with consistency at the plate and in the field. Alvarez looks to be a star in the making at the hot corner. He had 16 jacks and 64 RBIs in just 95 games last year.
Chris Snyder is expected to be the club’s No. 1 catcher. He took over for Ryan Doumit after being acquired from Arizona at the trade deadline.
Prediction – 6th Place NL Central: The Bucs have some nice young talent, but “young” is the key word here. Future stars like McCutchen still need time to mature. Plus, Pittsburgh needs to piece together a better starting pitching rotation before it can think about ending its string of losing seasons. The Pirates are listed at +4000 to win the NL Central.
