A Fresh Start... Minus 28 Games.

The Pirates got a much needed 4 days off and are now geared up and ready to finish up their 2010 season. The team is about where everyone expected them to be at this point in the year, and that is in last place, 28 games under .500 and 19 games out of first place.


While there really haven't been many bright spots on this team so far this year, all the young talent on the squad has to translate into some wins eventually. Pedro Alvarez is really starting to hit the ball better and I fully expect him to lead the team in home runs and RBI in the second half of the year. Andrew McCutchen has been good as advertised this year. He was hitting over .300 almost the whole season, but a slow end to the first half of the season has him sitting at .287/.363/.435 with 8 homers and 20 stolen bases. He had a 28 game homerless streak between June 8th and July 8th before pounding one over the wall in Milwaukee last Friday. If him and Alvarez can both get going at the same time the Pirates will have no chance but to score some runs.

The pitching staff has been dismal so far with a team ERA of 5.10, the best ERA from a Pirates starter belongs to Ross Ohlendorf with a 4.22, and that's thanks to quite a bit of luck. It's been very ugly so far, but they could possibly get a lift tonight as Zach Duke makes his return from that "injury" that cost him a couple of weeks. If he comes back and pitches well it could really help the team.

So what am I expecting for the Pirates final 74 games? I don't expect them to keep losing on the pace they have been, but I don't expect them to be a winning team either. I wouldn't be shocked if they got very close or over the .500 mark, but I am in no ways expecting him. I'd say 35 wins is very reasonable.

While the 4 days off from the consistent losing was nice, it's gonna be fun to watch the Buccos play baseball again, especially in PNC Park.

Let's Go Bucs.