It's opening day for our beloved Buccos, and your boy Snack is here to tell ya how it's gonna go for our boys this time around. They double stink this season, but we'll still root for them; what the hell, they're the Buccos, what else should we expect?
I'm going to break it down from my optimistic point of view - and it's still not particularly pretty...so enjoy, and feel free to tell me why I'm a jagoff or why I'm "the shiznit"...
Basically, this season breaks down to one word - expectations. Last year, our boys fell WAAAAYYYYY below their and our expectations. Since management did NOTHING to address this, it's all about these guys filling their potential. Especially the pitching staff.
Ian Snell and Tom Gorzo are both expected to continue their strong play from last season, and Zack Duke and Paul Maholm have looked impressive this spring. Hell, Matt Morris even had a nice outting in his last start before breaking camp. But as young and inexperienced as we are in the rotation, that's not the area of the pitching staff I'm the most worried about...
(Pic from mondesishouse.blogspot.com)
The 2008 Pirate's Pitching Staff...
The bullpen is my main area of concern. Capps, while not possessing overwhelming stuff, is a pretty effective closer, and I personally think Damaso Marte is about as good a setup man/lefty specialist as there is in the league. After that, it's mighty slim pickin's...
Grabow is pretty solid, although he's at the very least metro sexual looking (see pic above with Zach Duke), but he's the only other known entity on the team. Osoria, Yates, Dumatrait and Meek are all trying to break in or make their marks, and having so many questions with a young pitching rotation does not bode well for the Bucs. The starters are going to have to go into the seventh a lot of the time, or one or more of these guys need to step up - one way or the other, something's gotta give if the Pirates want to be successful this season.
As for the batters, I think the best way to put it is we're no Detroit Tigers, but we should be able to put the bat on the ball. Everyone seems to think McLouth is in for a good season, and Bay is bound to bounce back from the worst season of his career. Xavier Nady looked impressive last season, and if he stays healthy, can possibly hit 25-30 homers. And I think Adam LaRoche is going to have one helluva season. Since, unlike last year, no one will be counting on him to be a savior, there's no pressure, and as you could be by his much improved play at the end of the season, he plays better with no pressure.
Steady Freddie Sanchez can probably be expected to hit about 300 with around 10 jacks, and Jose Bautista could MAYBE hit 20 if the sun and stars align just right. Ronny Paulino will be looking to improve on his pathetic 2007, and Jumpin' Jack Wilson will prolly hit around .280 or .290...
The lineup is OK, and like I said, I think it can keep us competitive. Our bench players are also better then they have been in past years, with Morgan being able to pinch run, and Doug "I can't spell your last name - awitz" and Gomez are pretty good pinch hitters and will provide much needed fire and leadership. Doumit is our backup catcher/outfielder, and we all know about his bat and potential. If he stays healthy, he could be a very nice piece of the puzzle. Luis Rivas rounds out the bench and has some pop and has also been a pretty decent defensive replacement at second base...
(Pic from postgazette.com)
Flyin' Freddy Sanchez...
We also have some MLB-ready players in AAA, including power hitting outfielder/first basemen Steve Pearce, and lefty pitcher Sean Burnett, who will be called up as soon as ANYONE falters in the bullpen. Veteran Casey Fossum is also down there, and don't forget about Andrew McCutcheon, Neil Walker and Brian Bixler, who are all creeping their way into shape and may be September call-ups.
New manager John Russell and his staff have been recieving high reviews from the players for the way they ran spring training. I realize they all have to say that, but some of the local newspapers and talking heads have said they notice a difference. And judging by the way some of the regulars have played this spring, I think they've been a good addition - so far. Obviously, it all comes down to how they do starting tonite and lasting 162 more games...
Until lata...
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