I know it's early yet, but...

by Sdm42482 on Apr 27, 2009 8:40 AM EDT

This team looks pretty good. I'm very impressed with the way they seem to be sticking together. It looks like the team has rallied behind Jaramillo as the starter in the absense of Doumit. The pitching staff look like they are tight knit as well as teh bullpen. The LaRoche Bros. are stepping up in a big way, I just hope that Adam's hitting phobia doesn't work the other way this season though, that would suck! Defense looks good, our bench looks solid and contributing daily. I can't help BUT be excited!!!! I know I'm projecting A TON here but I'm just really excited to see what it could be/might be like in the future. It's not hard to see the culture in the Pittsburgh club house has changed for the better. I don't expect them to win it all or even, realistically, make the playoffs; I just want them to be competetive and give the fans something to spend their money on. Like Jim Leyland said, "If you put the product out there, people will come and pay to see it."

Poll

In your opinion, how many wins do the pirates end up with this season?

< 65

1 votes

Between 65 and 75

38 votes

> 75

42 votes

81 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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Comments

While I’d love to be optimistic and think that the Pirates are going to come close to .500 at season’s end, I just have to be realistic about them. I think back to 02 when they were 12-6 to start to season, and that clearly didn’t last. Although I’m pretty sure their pitching was nowhere near as good as this year’s team has been so far.

But there’s no way the staff is going to hold a sub 3.00 ERA all year, and even when McClouth and Doumit are back in the lineup, I don’t think they’re going to be able to consistently put up the runs they’ll need to when the ERA starts climbing.

Add that to the distinct possibility of Adam LaRoche being traded, and I just don’t see more than like 75 wins at the max.

by Schide on Apr 27, 2009 1:49 PM EDT reply actions

2002

They started the season against:

Mets 75-86 after 18 games (10-8)
Cubs 67-95 after 18 games (6-12)
Reds 78-84 after 18 games (10-8)
Brewers 56-106 after 18 games (6-12)
Phillies 80-81 after 18 games (7-11)

total 356 – 452 (39- 51)

No winning records on the season and 2 winning records through 18 games.

This year:

Cardinals 13-5
Reds 10-8
Astros 6-12
Braves 9-9
Marlins 11-7
Padres 10-8

total 59- 49

Like the subject line says….It’s early….but…. This isn’t the same animal.

"The team that scores the most points wins."
John Madden
(Master of the obvious)

by PixburghArn on Apr 27, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

oops sorry

they did play one game against the Dodgers in the first 18 games of 2002 …which they lost. The Dodgers were 11-7 so technically we could say their opponents through the first 18 games of 2002 were 50-58.

"The team that scores the most points wins."
John Madden
(Master of the obvious)

by PixburghArn on Apr 27, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice research

I agree wholeheartedly! I watched many of the games in 2002 and they definitely were streaky in the beginning and the stars aligned in their wins. This team is doing it fundamentally which makes this even more impressive!

by vanslyke on Apr 27, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Pirate-Dodger Playoffs

Before any games were played today, by the rules, the Pirates (Wild Card) would play the Dodgers (NLWest champs). This could happen. If we lost to the Pirates, I would pull for them to go all the way. I voted that they would win over 75 games. Pirate baseball should be alive in Pittsburgh.

Paul

by USSConstCVA64Vet on Apr 27, 2009 9:38 PM EDT reply actions