Poor, Pitiful Pirates

Russell Crowe can't be wrong. Except with some of his film roles.

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m an eternal optimist on one issue and one issue only: The Pittsburgh Pirates. No matter how bad the team is going to be each season, during Spring Training they’re the 1927 New York Yankees to me. Or, more fittingly, they’re the 1960 Pirates, just itching for some Maz Magic.

Any game now...

Unfortunately, once the season gets to the All Star Game, the realist in me sets in and I start to realize the season is lost and the Buccos are well on their way to a place in the record books.

This year though, despite what could be historically terrible starting pitching, there are some signs of life at PNC Park. Namely, the team might not have the worst everyday lineup in the league this year!

McCutchen, Walker, Tabata and Alvarez should, if they stay healthy and don’t regress, provide a solid foundation. Also, the Diaz/Jones platoon in right field might produce a solid season since it’s likely both players will be facing favorable matchups in terms of right and left handed pitching.

Hopefully the team will do the right thing and play Mr. Beady Eyes more often than chopped liver. And Cedeno is still Cedeno, so there’s that…

Let's Go Bucs!