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Pittsburgh Pirates Season Predictions | 2013 Season Betting Preview

2013 MLB Team Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates looked great in the first half of last season, but they went through a major 2nd half collapse. At the beginning of August they were 16 games above .500, but then the bottom fell out and they ended up with yet another losing season.

Odds to Win National League Pennant: 34.00
Odds to Win World Series: 81.00

Key Additions:

Russell Martin, Jeff Karstens, Francisco Liriano,

Key Subtractions:

Joel Hanrahan

They have a solid young team and their offense is led by emerging superstar Andrew McCutchen and starter P A.J. Burnett had a resurgence last season and will anchor the staff.

Let`s take a look at the Pirates’ offense:

Projected batting order

1) LF Starling Marte: (47 games, .257 BA, 5 HRs, 17 RBIs, 12 SBs, .737 OPS in 2012)
2) 2B Neil Walker: (.280 BA, 14 HRs, 69 RBIs, .768 OPS)
3) CF Andrew McCutchen: (.327 BA, 31 HRs, 96 RBIs, 20 SBs, .953 OPS)
4) 1B Garrett Jones: (.274 BA, 27 HRs, 86 RBIs, .833 OPS)
5) 3B Pedro Alvarez: (.244 BA, 30 HRs, 85 RBIs, .784 OPS)
6) C Russell Martin: (.211 BA, 21 HRs, 53 RBIs, .713 OPS)
7) RF Travis Snider: (w/TOR/PIT: 60 games, .250 BA, 4 HRs, 17 RBIs, .697 OPS)
8) SS Clint Barmes: (.229 BA, 8 HRs, 45 RBIs, .593 OPS)

Last season the Bucs only ranked 23rd in the Majors in runs scored even though they had 3 players with at least 27 HR. Mccutchen batted .327 with 31HR and 20 SB last season and Garrett Jones, and Pedro Alarez each provides power in the middle of the lineup. Russell Martin is a good hitting catcher, but he only batted .211 last season and while the middle of the lineup has pop the top and bottom of the lineup are major issues.

Starling Marte and Neil Walker need to get on base at the top of the order for McCutche and the middle of thje lineup guys to knock them in. the projected bottom of the lineup is weak with a few guys that failed to hit over .250 last season. Walker had many injury issues last season and he has to stay off the DL this season. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Let`s take a look at the Pirates’ pitching.  

Projected rotation

1) A.J. Burnett: (16-10, 3.51 ERA, 180 Ks, 1.24 WHIP)
2) Wandy Rodriguez: (w/HOU/PIT: 12-13, 3.76 ERA, 139 Ks, 1.27 WHIP)
3) James McDonald: (12-8, 4.21 ERA, 151 Ks, 1.26 WHIP)
4) Francisco Liriano: (w/MIN/CWS: 6-12, 5.34 ERA, 167 Ks, 1.47 WHIP)
5) Jeff Karstens: (5-4, 3.97 ERA, 1.15 WHIP)

Projected bullpen

1) Jason Grilli: (64 games, 32 holds, 90 Ks/58.2 IP, .207 BAA)
2) Mark Melancon: (w/BOS: 41 games, 41Ks/45 IP)
3) Jared Hughes: (66 games, 12 holds, 50 Ks/75.2 IP)
4) Tony Watson: (68 games, 53 Ks/53.1 IP, .198 BAA)
5) Bryan Morris: (5 games, 6 Ks/5 IP)
6) Kyle McPherson: (10 games, 21 Ks/26.1 IP)
7) Justin Wilson: (8 games, 7 Ks/4.2 IP)

Burnett had 16 wins and he really bounded back well after a sub-par season for the Yankees the previous season. Francisco Liriano was solid pickup, but which player will he be? Will he be the former Ace or the pitcher that hhas really been battling major injury issues the last few years? Wandy Rodriguez is a solid #3 starter, but he needs to stay healthy and get some support from the offense, which he did not get last season.

The loss of closer Joel Hanrahan, who had 36 saves last season, may hurt unless new closer Jason Grilli can step up and have a good season. The Pirates have a good bullpen with several lefties, but the closer issue is still a major concern in Steel City.

2013 Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction:

The Pirates have the talent to contend for the NL Central crown, but can they play consistent baseball for the entire season? Mccutche is one of the emerging superstars in the league with all the tools, but he cannot do it all. The top of the order has to get it done for Pittsburgh to contend.

Burnett needs to anchor the staff again and if Liriano can stay off the DL and perform like the Ace he was a few years back the Pirates will have a legit pitching staff.

There are a lot of questions for the Pirates and too many in my opinion, as I see them being around .500 and missing out on the playoffs again.

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By Jason Green

Jason Green is back with Cappers Picks again to give out his free sports plays. As always he's hoping the Braves and Redskins can win a championship since their last one in the 90’s was long ago. He’s starting to know the pain of Cubs fans.