I just read a comment from some idiot on the PBC blog that said "seriously, the Pirates are better than the Dodgers. Maybe their pitching is better though." Umm? Assuming Manny is in the lineup, are they not better at every single position?
Martin>Doumit (barely)
Loney>Clement
DeWitt=Iwamura
Furcal>Cedeno
Blake>LaRoche
Manny>Lastings
Kemp>McCutchen
Ethier>Legend
What am I missing here? I would even say every SP for the Dodgers is better, but def couldn't back that up statistically right now. Still, no way no how in any section of any universe are the Pirates a better team than the Dodgers. Regardless of record.
That is all.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Wow
As most of you have probably noticed, the Pirates are not doing so great right now. Because of the shellacking the Brewers have handed them in four games, their Expected W-L is now 4-15 (they have been outscored 147-65 on the season). Most of that is due to the fact that the Brewers have beat the Pirates 53-4 in four games.
I would love to know what team reached 100 runs scored against another team in the shortest amount of times. If this keeps up, the Brewers could hit that in four or five more games. I do realize that things should adjust back to normal soon (key word being should). I mean, the Brewers cannot play like this all year, right? Well let us have a look at one player and have fun with small sample sizes.
Ryan Braun is destroying the Pirates this season. Last year he played in 14 games against the Pirates.
AB: 50
HR: 4
RBI: 14
SB: 2
Hits: 13
BA: .260
So far, through four games, these are the same numbers against the Buccos.
AB: 15
HR: 2
RBI: 8
SB: 4
Hits: 8
BA: .533
What kind of numbers could he end up with versus the Pirates if he continues at this pace? There are 13 remaining games and the following numbers could be his remaining stats. Add those to the above numbers and see what you get...
AB: 52
HR: 6.9
RBI: 27.7
SB: 13.9
Hits: 27.7
It is theoretically possible for Braun to have a 10/10 season against the Pirates. Last year he only had 20 SBs, this year he has five, but four against the Pirates! Talk about padding your stats. Hell, even if he plays terrible against the Buccos for the rest of the year, his numbers will still end up pretty decent because of these four games.
Oh, jumping back to the Pirates and their expected W-L record, without the Brewers the Pirates have only been outscored 94-62, which would give them a pretty sweet .319 winning percentage and an expected W-L of 5-10. Still not very good.
This is going to be a really long season...
I would love to know what team reached 100 runs scored against another team in the shortest amount of times. If this keeps up, the Brewers could hit that in four or five more games. I do realize that things should adjust back to normal soon (key word being should). I mean, the Brewers cannot play like this all year, right? Well let us have a look at one player and have fun with small sample sizes.
Ryan Braun is destroying the Pirates this season. Last year he played in 14 games against the Pirates.
AB: 50
HR: 4
RBI: 14
SB: 2
Hits: 13
BA: .260
So far, through four games, these are the same numbers against the Buccos.
AB: 15
HR: 2
RBI: 8
SB: 4
Hits: 8
BA: .533
What kind of numbers could he end up with versus the Pirates if he continues at this pace? There are 13 remaining games and the following numbers could be his remaining stats. Add those to the above numbers and see what you get...
AB: 52
HR: 6.9
RBI: 27.7
SB: 13.9
Hits: 27.7
It is theoretically possible for Braun to have a 10/10 season against the Pirates. Last year he only had 20 SBs, this year he has five, but four against the Pirates! Talk about padding your stats. Hell, even if he plays terrible against the Buccos for the rest of the year, his numbers will still end up pretty decent because of these four games.
Oh, jumping back to the Pirates and their expected W-L record, without the Brewers the Pirates have only been outscored 94-62, which would give them a pretty sweet .319 winning percentage and an expected W-L of 5-10. Still not very good.
This is going to be a really long season...
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Barry Zito watch...
First start for Zito was a doozie! 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. Nice start to the season! Could he be turning it around as predicted???
Monday, April 5, 2010
It's Time...
for the same old Pirates. I'd keep a running diary of the opener but I'm at work and watching it on live game channel. What I did see was them blowing a bases loaded no-out situation with our number 9 hitter, who is of course not a pitcher. Go Bucs!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
2010 MLB Predictions: NL Central
Aright kids, here is the NL Central. Our favorite division. The Division with our beloved, impoverished Pirates in a constant flux to reach Major League parity. Oh the lovely Pirates. Our future is so bright (quote used for the last 17 years)...Here are my predictions
Cardinals
Reds
Cubs
Pirates
Brewers
Astros
The top 3 I think could end up being interchangeable throughout the course of the season, and yes, the Pirates sitting in 4th is completely wishful thinking, but what the Cardinals have in Albert Pujols, I think they could end up lacking in 2 very important categories of which are very important for long term success; defense and relief pitching. The pitching may not be a big deal because they have the best pitching coach in the Majors and they will end up righting that ship. So, that is why they won out over the Reds and more notably the Cubs, whom many people are picking as favorites for he division.
The cubs have too many health questions with Soriano, Ramirez, Lee, Zombrano and even more now with the addition of Xavier Nady. If they are all healthy all season and produce like they have in the past, then it will be a compeltely different story. Aside, from the production of the aforementioned stars, does anyone think the Cubs will be getting great numbers from their pitching staff? If I had a magic 8 ball I think they answer would be "ask again later" or "note likely".
I don't know why I have the Reds in second place. I like their young talent and the promise of their up and coming highly rated prospectus rotation. Hell they thought their number 1 pick was so good they said he could skip out on Minor league mop jobs and come straight in and be their number 5 starter. Can Homer Bailey be as good as advertised and will the young boppers come through. I think they can, which is why I have them in second.
I think the bottom 3 could probably be interchangeable as well. The reason these 3 teams are the bottom 3 is because I believe they all lack something in common. Good, Healthy Pitching. But, what they lack in pitching, they make up for it in size(Brewers), speed(Pirates), and texans(Astros).
I believe the Pirates have the best chance of the 3 to finish out of the bottom spot because they do something better than any team, and that is field the ball. The Pirates were the best fielding team in the NL last season. I know that when it comes to baseball there isn't the constant phrasing of "defense wins championships" and the Pirates were THE prime example of that, but in spite of their defensive prowess, I think they can really run. The Pirates have a fast team and are going to take many bases other teams would be afraid to attempt. Like everyone else though, my reservations come with their offense. They lack a big proven bat in the middle of the line up, and everyone in the line up is young. I'm hoping Iwamura becomes our team MVP and his japanese mentality of patience at the plate, which I believe is preached over there will rub off on the rest of the ball club. Which is why I'm assuming they are batting him in the lead off spot to start the season. Their starting pitching keeps me up at night.
The brewers have big bats and big men, but I just don't see the depth in their rotation or their bullpen outside of the trevor hoffman. I think he's going to be waiting awhile for his 600th save, though he only needs like 9.
The Astros just keep getting hurt. Outside of Berkman and Lee, they don't have anyone that really pound the ball and they keep alternating getting injured. Right now its Berkman starting the season on the DL and when he returns how much you want to bet that Lee goes down sometime in the month afterwards. Also, their ace is having back issues, which gives me reservations about how well he actually will pitch this year. Outside of the Wandy Ramirez, I'm not sure they are going to do much, even with the Brett Myers addition. I doubt he has a great season with that short porch in left field; I bet he gives up the most home runs in the Majors this year.
Pirates # of Victories Predictions: 80. Just to blue ball me towards the end of the season and keep everyone in Pittsburgh interested. How sad is it that a team striving for 82 victories could keep an entire city interested in baseball?
CDP: Pujols win another MVP, Cutch goes 20/40 and 2 of the previously mentioned cubs stars will get injured for a significant amount of time. I'm thinking Lee and Ramirez.
Cardinals
Reds
Cubs
Pirates
Brewers
Astros
The top 3 I think could end up being interchangeable throughout the course of the season, and yes, the Pirates sitting in 4th is completely wishful thinking, but what the Cardinals have in Albert Pujols, I think they could end up lacking in 2 very important categories of which are very important for long term success; defense and relief pitching. The pitching may not be a big deal because they have the best pitching coach in the Majors and they will end up righting that ship. So, that is why they won out over the Reds and more notably the Cubs, whom many people are picking as favorites for he division.
The cubs have too many health questions with Soriano, Ramirez, Lee, Zombrano and even more now with the addition of Xavier Nady. If they are all healthy all season and produce like they have in the past, then it will be a compeltely different story. Aside, from the production of the aforementioned stars, does anyone think the Cubs will be getting great numbers from their pitching staff? If I had a magic 8 ball I think they answer would be "ask again later" or "note likely".
I don't know why I have the Reds in second place. I like their young talent and the promise of their up and coming highly rated prospectus rotation. Hell they thought their number 1 pick was so good they said he could skip out on Minor league mop jobs and come straight in and be their number 5 starter. Can Homer Bailey be as good as advertised and will the young boppers come through. I think they can, which is why I have them in second.
I think the bottom 3 could probably be interchangeable as well. The reason these 3 teams are the bottom 3 is because I believe they all lack something in common. Good, Healthy Pitching. But, what they lack in pitching, they make up for it in size(Brewers), speed(Pirates), and texans(Astros).
I believe the Pirates have the best chance of the 3 to finish out of the bottom spot because they do something better than any team, and that is field the ball. The Pirates were the best fielding team in the NL last season. I know that when it comes to baseball there isn't the constant phrasing of "defense wins championships" and the Pirates were THE prime example of that, but in spite of their defensive prowess, I think they can really run. The Pirates have a fast team and are going to take many bases other teams would be afraid to attempt. Like everyone else though, my reservations come with their offense. They lack a big proven bat in the middle of the line up, and everyone in the line up is young. I'm hoping Iwamura becomes our team MVP and his japanese mentality of patience at the plate, which I believe is preached over there will rub off on the rest of the ball club. Which is why I'm assuming they are batting him in the lead off spot to start the season. Their starting pitching keeps me up at night.
The brewers have big bats and big men, but I just don't see the depth in their rotation or their bullpen outside of the trevor hoffman. I think he's going to be waiting awhile for his 600th save, though he only needs like 9.
The Astros just keep getting hurt. Outside of Berkman and Lee, they don't have anyone that really pound the ball and they keep alternating getting injured. Right now its Berkman starting the season on the DL and when he returns how much you want to bet that Lee goes down sometime in the month afterwards. Also, their ace is having back issues, which gives me reservations about how well he actually will pitch this year. Outside of the Wandy Ramirez, I'm not sure they are going to do much, even with the Brett Myers addition. I doubt he has a great season with that short porch in left field; I bet he gives up the most home runs in the Majors this year.
Pirates # of Victories Predictions: 80. Just to blue ball me towards the end of the season and keep everyone in Pittsburgh interested. How sad is it that a team striving for 82 victories could keep an entire city interested in baseball?
CDP: Pujols win another MVP, Cutch goes 20/40 and 2 of the previously mentioned cubs stars will get injured for a significant amount of time. I'm thinking Lee and Ramirez.
Addition to NL West and NL East predictions
I forgot my Crazy Divisional Predictions for the NL West and NL East.
For the NL East: Heyward will NOT be the rookie of the Year, but Wagner will be come back player of the year.
NL West: Manny will be traded mid-season, but will not be the most prolific offensive player on his team, and the NL Rookie of the year will come from this division.
Ok, now since the start of the season is tonight. I figured I should have all the divisions up. So in a minute I will post our favorite division; the NL Central. Lets Go Bucs!
For the NL East: Heyward will NOT be the rookie of the Year, but Wagner will be come back player of the year.
NL West: Manny will be traded mid-season, but will not be the most prolific offensive player on his team, and the NL Rookie of the year will come from this division.
Ok, now since the start of the season is tonight. I figured I should have all the divisions up. So in a minute I will post our favorite division; the NL Central. Lets Go Bucs!
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