2026 Pittsburgh Pirates

pirates still sailing with the wins in spring training --arrrgh...lets sail the high seas this year and not shoot cannonballs through our own deck

 

I'm headed up to Casino but still not sure if I'm betting over or under. Leaning towards over. Years of failure causes mistrust.

 

The Pirates were 20 games under .500 with a putrid offense in 2025. The middle of the lineup should be better with Ozuna, O'Hearn, and Lowe, but those guys aren't superstars. I will believe Cruz has figured things out when I see it during the regular season. They also need Reynolds to bounce back, which is actually a fair expectation.

If all of those guys work out and Griffin is read to make some impact at short, they can make a big jump and get over .500, but "if" is doing a lot of work there.

 

Taking a look back at 2025 final standings. I'm a Rockies fan my season ended in April. 43-119, wow! I know Bucs suck it but I think the fans would have got highly agitated with a record like that. I don't know if the fans chant a lot against Nutting but they only win 43 games I hope they have the sense not to support him.

I have not been back since 2011 when I got to see the seasons future Super Bowl Champions beat my arch enemies the Eagles in a pre-season game. Then at PNC the next night to see a loss of course

First time I went back was 2002. The Bucs were home for 9 games. They went 2-7 but it was a fantastic time. I only went to 2 games and those were the 2 they won. It was against a powerhouse of a team too, the Montreal Expos

 

Don't fail me boys. I bet the over. Maybe I'll win to make up for the money I lose in about 10 minutes at the Roulette table.

 

3b Brett Baty of Mets should be a trade target. Send them prospect Fliorentino or whatever the heck it is and another guy.

 

3 game slide. Other team lineups are stabilizing now for first half of games. We'll see how this new team formulary works out. Not to be confused with Rx lists (hopefully).

 

Nice win today over Tigers with 5 shutout innings by the relievers to finish it up. I don't think Griffen starts the season in Pittsburgh. He's hitting the Mendoza level right now which is more than Suwinski hit last season and Davis who is currently hitting less than 1/2 the Mendoza line but will probably make the team. Bart isn't hitting much either.

 

TJ and Griffin start at AAA . I think Johnson breaks out this season he is not a disappointment to me . Steady climber, I like that. Got better in each season. Keep him healthy and some 3b reps or OF wouldn't hurt.

 

Beat up on the Bean Town Boys 9-7 today. Some nice O but not so great pitching. Cook and Yorke went 3 for 3 and 2 for 3, each with a HR.

AND, 2 days later beat the Yankees. While only pre-season, these 2 W's may be the closest we get to a playoff win in our lifetimes. I'll take them. Yes Judge was at the WBC but so was Skenes so it's a draw.

 

USA beat Mexico with Skenes and Judge doing the heavy lifting. Skenes threw 4 shutout, 1 hit innings with 7 Ks. Not a bad days work in mid Spring.

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/...sic-live-updates-highlights-paul-skenes/live/

 

Watched it only because of Skenes. Kind of wished he saved his arm for our games.

 

I hope your enthusiasm extends to the regular season. I'm still heavy on the Pens but that could change soon if this 5 game road trip turns into a nightmare.

 

The one time I decide to watch a pre-season game and Baltimore smoking us. I'll wait until regular season for this abuse. Thursday night they are on MLB Channel against Braves.

I've little interest in going to spring training but them older retired folks sure seem to enjoy it.

 

Nice pre-season comeback win for Bucs. Chandler threw smoke for 5 solid innings.

 

Baty has struggled to earn regular playing time in the majors. Florentino is a stud, way too good a prospect to deal for Baty.

 

Florentino is years away, Baty can fill 3b need now and has been through MLB struggles and kinda broke out last season.

 

Bucs open at NYM. Probably thanks to Skenes we are on MLB Channel to kick off their triple header.

 

Skenes a power pitcher
Limited amount of mileage on that arm

 

Skenes struggled last night
Only gave up 1 run
Bullpen unlike ours
Saved the day
Plus Judge throwing runner out at third was nice

 

He must have thought it was a Pirates game only having 2 runs from his O.
But.....Skenes seems to be able to magically get out of jams even when he has an off night. No walks in 2 games really helped. Hope he saved enough in the tank when the real games begin in 2 weeks.

 

He definitely got help from his defense and the bullpen last night
That said
Big upset beating DR
They were the favorites to win it all

 

The guy spent a big chunk of the season in the minors and ended it on the IR, still can't hit lefties, and isn't even slated to be a full-time starter for the Mets. You have a low standards for breakout.

 

Not looking good, albeit still spring training. Bucs get hammered 3 in a row now with a slimmed down roster. The early chemistry is fading. Hope they take this serious once all the WBC parts return.

 

Only showing 3 games last season in AAA, but in 2024 BR is showing a solid AAA season plus last year 2025 in MLB . IDK about lefty hitting and will take your word on it. Baseball reference tightening up on the free content or maybe I'm just not seeing .

Baty a former 1st rounder so the pedigree is there.