2012 Pirates Regular Season Thread

[X-Terminator]

How is this team not as good as their record shows? They've beaten top notch teams with great pitching, good defense, and good hitting. We have a good starting rotation with Jeff, James, and A.J., our defense has been stellar other than a few mishaps here and there, and our offense is much improved compared to last year. They're hitting the ball much better and hitting even more home runs. We even have a few players (A.J., Rob, and Casey) who have playoff and WS experience that is bringing valuable leadership to this team. To top it all off, the atmosphere is much improved and they all seem to be really enjoying themselves and actually believe in themselves. Winning majority of their games against the Nationals, Phillies, Cardinals, Reds, Indians, and Tigers sounds pretty good to me on account they're all good teams.

Steelpride sums up part of my feelings, but the reason why I say they've overachieved and aren't really as good as their record is because they aren't a very good hitting team aside from Cutch. They had a lot of success offensively in June and the first week of July, but other than that, it's been awful. They are last in the ML in strikeouts...good teams aren't that bad with the bat in their hands, and it makes you wonder how much better the offense would be if they would simply make more contact. Their pitching has started to slide over the past couple of weeks on top of it, which is not good if the offense comes back down to earth. So no, I really don't believe in this team, for those reasons and because 19 seasons of failure makes you very skeptical, and I still believe the big, long losing streak is just around the corner. If it never happens, hey...I'll be thrilled. I WANT them to prove me wrong.

The Phillies, BTW, are one of the worst teams in baseball, so they don't really belong in that list.

[steelerdude15]

Steelpride sums up part of my feelings, but the reason why I say they've overachieved and aren't really as good as their record is because they aren't a very good hitting team aside from Cutch. They had a lot of success offensively in June and the first week of July, but other than that, it's been awful. They are last in the ML in strikeouts...good teams aren't that bad with the bat in their hands, and it makes you wonder how much better the offense would be if they would simply make more contact. Their pitching has started to slide over the past couple of weeks on top of it, which is not good if the offense comes back down to earth. So no, I really don't believe in this team, for those reasons and because 19 seasons of failure makes you very skeptical, and I still believe the big, long losing streak is just around the corner. If it never happens, hey...I'll be thrilled. I WANT them to prove me wrong.

The Phillies, BTW, are one of the worst teams in baseball, so they don't really belong in that list.

I understand where you're coming from about being skeptical. I am as well to a certain degree, but I still believe in this team. I will say, that Walker is hitting better and I hope he keeps it up. I include the Phillies in that list because we've struggled to beat them for a long time.

[steelerdude15]

One thing I will admit and I've always felt about Hurdle, he doesn't know when to pull his starting pitchers.

[Borski]

Pirates tie the game in the 9th with an Alvarez 3-run HR on the first pitch after the rain delay ended!

[Borski]

Lost but it wasnt a bad game overall. Cincy lost too so we are still 1 back

[X-Terminator]

I'll be optimistic, at least they made a game of it. But they still lost to one of the worst teams in baseball, and that is not acceptable.

[steelerdude15]

I'll be optimistic, at least they made a game of it. But they still lost to one of the worst teams in baseball, and that is not acceptable.

I agree. Thanks Pedro for helping us get back into the game, but we shouldn't lose to the worst teams. This one did hurt.

[steelerdude15]

Much better game tonight even though the bottom of the ninth was getting a little scary. Bedard finally gets another win and the offense was smashing them tonight. Tomorrow they close out the series.

[X-Terminator]

Hope J-Mac got his bad game out of his system and puts up a decent performance. They should score some runs off Guthrie, but then again, it took them 8 innings before they finally got something off the Rockies Monday night, so he'll probably shut them out.

[steelpride12]

Alright much better win last night, felt good to watch the offense soar. Let's hope for J-Mac to get on his groove once again today and finish this series on a high note.

[steelpride12]

Well I guess J-Mac isn't better yet. He just gave up 2 HR's in the first inning and it's now 3-0 Rockies, ugh.

[X-Terminator]

Bucs win 9-6. 4 more HR and J-Mac ends up getting the win even though he gave up 6 runs. His last 2 starts have been brutal, but I'm not sure whether to be concerned or give him a pass because he had to pitch in 2 hitter's ballparks. We'll see Tuesday if he gets his act together.

Back to 11 games over .500 with their next 13 games against teams under .500. If they can come away with at least 8 wins, it would put them in decent shape heading into Cincinnati August 2. I'd love for them to get 9 or 10 wins, though, which would give them 60 wins by the end of July, but I know that won't happen. Watch them go 5-8 instead.

[Edman]

The Bucs have been a little shaky in this road trip coming off the break, but they haven't fallen apart...yet.

[steelerdude15]

Not going to lie, the beginning of the game scared me, but they fought back and won it. Good for them and back to Pittsburgh they go!

[steelpride12]

Today showed me something. 2 years ago if the Bucs would have been down 5-1, they would have easily folded and lost. Today the offense came alive and they got the victory. It was a scary game early, but a 2-3 games is a consistent pattern I'd love to see from here on out. Marlins time, nothing says they can't get at least 2-3 again.

[X-Terminator]

Just FYI - the Bucs are tied with the Yankees for the most road HR in the majors (64), and already have 101 HR for the season (they had 107 all of last season), good enough for 4th in the NL. McCutchen (22) and Alvarez (19) are 2nd and 4th in the NL in HR (Bug-Eyed cheater Ryan Fraud has 26). Unbelievable power surge by the Bucs in the past 7 weeks. They are also now tied for 1st in the Central again - Reds lost 7-1.

[steelerdude15]

Just FYI - the Bucs are tied with the Yankees for the most road HR in the majors (64), and already have 101 HR for the season (they had 107 all of last season), good enough for 4th in the NL. McCutchen (22) and Alvarez (19) are 2nd and 4th in the NL in HR (Bug-Eyed cheater Ryan Fraud has 26). Unbelievable power surge by the Bucs in the past 7 weeks. They are also now tied for 1st in the Central again - Reds lost 7-1.

Those are quite the stats. Let's hope they keep it up.

[steelpride12]

Just FYI - the Bucs are tied with the Yankees for the most road HR in the majors (64), and already have 101 HR for the season (they had 107 all of last season), good enough for 4th in the NL. McCutchen (22) and Alvarez (19) are 2nd and 4th in the NL in HR (Bug-Eyed cheater Ryan Fraud has 26). Unbelievable power surge by the Bucs in the past 7 weeks. They are also now tied for 1st in the Central again - Reds lost 7-1.

Couldn't be happier with those stats they truly are remarkable, our Bucs have come a long way. This is something they can hang their hats on for sure and if they can carry themselves out like this the rest of the way they will be a force to reckon with and would make the playoffs. Let's keep it rolling against the Marlins.

[Edman]

Last year's team started going sour around this time. July 20th to be exact. Coming off a road trip, the Bucs could've fallen apart after that first Rockies loss, but they seem to have righted the ship. Hope they keep it going. Back to back home series against the Marlins and Cubs coming up, then a four game set in Houston. If they can come out of those series' fine, I like their chances going into August.

[steelpride12]

Last year's team started going sour around this time. July 20th to be exact. Coming off a road trip, the Bucs could've fallen apart after that first Rockies loss, but they seem to have righted the ship. Hope they keep it going. Back to back home series against the Marlins and Cubs coming up, then a four game set in Houston. If they can come out of those series' fine, I like their chances going into August.

I know I'm just being positive, but I just truly think this is a different team than last year. The offense is more consistent and the pitching for the most part is solid as well. The Bucs know what happened last year and it seems they are keeping focused and being prepared. I hope they stay this way into August.

[oneforthetoe]

Difference with last year to me is that even with some of the recent losses, the Bucs are still in the fight. That instant offense from the long ball always gives them a chance.

Biggest concern now is McDonald. I hope these last two starts were simply bumps in the road, and not a sign of a slide backwards. They need James to be good in the second half.

[steelpride12]

http://triblive.com/home/2216291-74/...ider-franchise

A good read on the trade deadline situation. I do not think the Pirates need to be throwing around players like Cole and Marte who in the future could come in handy. I know this organization and fan base truly want Upton, but quite frankly he is diminished and plays half ass baseball, not to mention he will want an arm and a leg of a contract to play in Pittsburgh. The Pirates still need pitching. Yes we acquired Burnett, but he is 35 and we won't have him around for many more seasons.

[steelpride12]

Difference with last year to me is that even with some of the recent losses, the Bucs are still in the fight. That instant offense from the long ball always gives them a chance.

Biggest concern now is McDonald. I hope these last two starts were simply bumps in the road, and not a sign of a slide backwards. They need James to be good in the second half.

Yupp. Last year if the Pirates were down 4-1 or 5-1 in a game they would have folded and end up losing no doubts about it. This season the Pirates don't give up in a game and with the power and production in the bats they always have a chance to not only come back, but win the game. Mcdonald, yes I am nervous about. I know he is better than this and just holding my breathe he finds his form his next start or two.

[steelerdude15]

Yeah James has worried me these past two starts. He isn't as consistent as he was in the first half and he's lost some of his control. I hope he gets it back.

[steelpride12]

Another scary with for the Bucs last night with that starting pitching. Correia gives up a HR to Reyes on his first pitch and ended up being 2-0 after the first, but the Bucs still fought back and Walker ended the tie with a single blast to make it 4-3. I was impressed with the bullpen though as they shut down the Marlins all the way from the 4th inning. A win is a win.

[steelerdude15]

Another scary with for the Bucs last night with that starting pitching. Correia gives up a HR to Reyes on his first pitch and ended up being 2-0 after the first, but the Bucs still fought back and Walker ended the tie with a single blast to make it 4-3. I was impressed with the bullpen though as they shut down the Marlins all the way from the 4th inning. A win is a win.

I can't help, but think that every time Correia and Bedard pitch, it's an automatic lose. I feel bad because I'm not the type of person who blames one single person when its a team sport.

[polamalubeast]

I know it's still early, but the playoffs are possible for the pirates! But take it one game at a time!!!

[Edman]

Pirates take the series against the Marlins, and score four runs on no hits in the fourth inning. Finding another way to win. Burnett remains unbeaten at PNC.

[steelerdude15]

True that. Thirteen games over .500, its a good feeling.

[X-Terminator]

They only need to win 29 of their remaining 69 games to finally end the streak. Can they do it? Maybe. Maybe not. We'll see.