Well, it is Pirates season again and with that comes the time to predict how the club will fare in 2012. Over the years, I have been known to be the ultimate optimist of Pirates baseball among my friends.
That mostly comes from the fact that I actually still cared about what happened in the day-to-day circus which has become the Pirates organization. Nonetheless, this column will be predicting how each facet of the team will do this season.
These predictions are most likely the most meaningless thing I have ever done on this website and they are sure to make me look stupid come August.
NL Central Division Standings-Prediction to go wrong
1) Cincinnati Reds
2) Milwaukee Brewers
3) Pittsburgh Pirates
4) St. Louis Cardinals
5) Chicago Cubs
6) Houston Astros
With Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder leaving the division, it becomes much more wide open. With the addition of pitcher Matt Latos, the Reds have taken a huge step towards winning the division again.
With ace Chris Carpenter sidelined for an extended period of time and Adam Wainwright coming off Tommy John surgery, it is hard to pick the Cardinals to repeat their 2011 performance.
Beltran doesn’t produce, Berkman finally gets old, Mike Matheny inexperienced, Dave Duncan gone as pitching coach. The Cardinals run is over and the Pirates get into third place.
The Pirates will have a solid season in 2012 and might actually get into third place.
Pitching Predictions to go wrong
-Erik Bedard will be the ace of this staff, he will miss time but still pitch enough to be the leader.
-Charlie Morton will be the second best pitcher on this staff and will be an all-star in 2012.
-A.J. Burnett will have solid season-13 wins, 4.37 ERA
Position Player Predictions to go wrong
-Casey McGehee will have 25 home runs and 90 rbis
-Pedro Alvarez will have very hot and cold streaks, 20 homers, .235 average
-Alex Presley will hit 12 home runs and steal 30 bases with .295 average
-Nate McLouth will be known as Mr. Clutch this season, gathering timely hits and show stopping defense
All Stars-3
-Andrew McCutchen
-Neil Walker
-Charlie Morton
Final Record
82-80
# of times McKenry looks to wrong base umpire for called third strike
-17
The Pirates finally do it, they finish the season over .500 by one game. Well, I am done making a fool of myself. Please remind me in August why I made these predictions public.
By then the Pirates will surely be 20 games under .500, Morton in AAA, Walker benched and Burnett with a total of no more than five victories. Until then, thanks for reading our Pirates coverage here at Slew Footers.
OPENING WEEK COVERAGE
Sunday–2012 Pirates Resemble 2003 Edition
Monday-Out With the Old, In With the New-2012 Pirates
Tuesday–Outfield Depth In Organization Creates Welcomed Problem
Wednesday–Projected Lineup and Rotation: Power-by-Committee Offense
Wednesday–Pirates Finalize 25 Man Roster; Hague Makes Cut
Thursday–2012 Pirates Predictions Sure to be Wrong
2012 Opening Series: Pittsburgh Pirates–Philadelphia Phillies
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