2012 Pittsburgh Pirates Predictions

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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 72-90 (a 15-game improvement) in 2011 but still endured their 19th straight losing campaign.

Projected Pitching

Starting rotation: Erik Bedard (L) – Bedard will attempt to replace southpaw Paul Maholm, who had served as the staff anchor since 2006. Bedard, who has dealt with a heavy dose of the injury bug in recent seasons, has been very good when healthy. He has posted an ERA of 3.76 or better each of the past five seasons.

James McDonald (R) – In his first full season as a starter, McDonald went 9-9 with a 4.21 ERA while logging 171 innings. Not bad considering he hadn’t logged more than 64 innings in a season previously.

Jeff Karstens (R) – Karstens, who finished 9-9 with a 3.38 ERA, sizzled in June and July, going 5-1 with a 1.77 ERA.

Kevin Correia (R) – Correia has posted at least 10 wins each of the past three seasons and could enjoy more success if he can get his ERA down. He has a 5.10 ERA the past two seasons after posting a 3.91 ERA in 2009.

Charlie Morton (R) – Morton went 6-2 with a 2.52 ERA in his first 11 starts before trailing off. He still finished 10-10 with a 3.83 ERA.

Closer: Joel Hanrahan (R) – Hanrahan earned an All-Star nod in 2011 and finished with 40 saved.

Projected Lineup

Rod Barajas (Catcher) – He’s only batted .246 the past two seasons but has produced 33 home runs. The Bucs are counting on him to provide some pop at the bottom of the order.

Garrett Jones (First Base) – Jones has been on the decline. He batted just .243 with 16 home runs and 58 RBIs in 2011. He hit .293 with 21 homers in nearly half as many games in 2009.

Neil Walker (Second Base) – Walker proved his rookie campaign was no fluke by hitting .273 with 36 doubles, 12 home runs and 83 RBIs last season.

Pedro Alvarez (Third Base) – The Pirates were very disappointed with the former No. 2 overall pick last season. He hit only .191 in 235 at bats. They’re praying something will click in 2012.

Clint Barmes (Shortstop) – Unsatisfied with the production of Ronny Cedeno, the Pirates signed veteran Clint Barnes, who batted .244 with 12 home runs and 39 RBIs for Houston a year ago.

Alex Presley (Left Field) – He doesn’t have big time pop but is a quality hitter. After batting .330 in the minors in 2010, he hit .298 in 215 at bats for the Bucs last year.

Andrew McCutchen (Center Field) – Despite seeing his average dip to .259, McCutchen made his first All-Star team in 2011. He finished with 23 round trippers and 89 RBIs and played an excellent center field.

Jose Tabata (Right Field) – The Bucs desperately need more production from Tabata, who only has eight homers in two years of steady play.

Prediction5th Place NL Central: The Pirates won 72 games last season because they got their best pitching in years. The staff will have to be every bit as good, if not better, for the Bucs to keep climbing the ladder in the Central because the offense is one of the weakest in baseball. The Pirates are listed at +1800 to win the NL Central.

About the Author: Jimmy Boyd is known for his consistency. He's a proven winner in college and pro football, college and pro basketball and pro baseball. He finished as the No. 1 ranked MLB handicapper in 2007 by earning $1,000/game bettors $50,050. He also finished as the No. 1 ranked basketball handicapper in the 2008-09 season, profiting $1,000/game bettors 38,530. His basketball plays have banked $1,000/game bettors nearly $80,000 the last five years. Check out Jimmy's premium picks for tonight!
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