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Precursor or Meaningless?

magnumo

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With one Spring Training game to go, the Pirates have fallen to the very bottom of the Grapefruit League standings, at 12-18 (.400). Yep, they rank 15th out of 15 teams who train in Florida. They're consistent, 6-9 at home and 6-9 away. They have the worst run differential (-30) in the Grapefruit League. Yankees are 2nd worst at -20.

The good news?

- The Pirates could finish the day tied with the Yankees, if the Yankees lose their game tonight against the Orioles.

- And then the Pirates play their last ST game against the Yankees tomorrow..... giving them "another chance."

(Hey, I know that this is Spring Training and the won-lost record here doesn't mean a thing. Nevertheless, I'd feel a whole lot better if the team were performing better. I fervently HOPE that this is NOT a precursor.
 

thecrow124

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I don't put much merit in the record other than it shows the talent level of our minor league AAA players for the most part. Wandy and AJ for the most part have been pitching minor league games, the downside to that is AJ has not looked particularly good against AAA talent.

Other than that not a lot to go on, Cutch is rounding into form, Marte destroys fastballs, Snider is still not looking like the powerhitter everyone wants, Tabata is driving the ball (this is a surprise), and Pedro is striking out at an alarming rate. Hurdle is doing what he does best, tinkering with what seems to work.....like batting Jones second instead of clean-up, and talking smallball with a lineup built to hit the ball out of the park.

So is this a precursor, no I would say not in the typical sense, but that is not to say we won't be horrible this year.

Huntington is still making questionable moves, trades for McDonald, keeps Inge, and DFA's Robinson. The only bright side to that is that Robinson has looked so bad he will more than likely make it through waivers, but that in and or itself is not a glowing endorsement on Huntington's talent evaluation.

My one hope is that Cole remains in Indy for the entire season, I think Hurdle actually said it best, on paper we are not one of the more talented teams, but our guys know the games aren't played on paper. Interpretation, try to hang on through April and May and then when teams coast through June and July, win as much as you can then try to hang on and add where you can.
 

Illinest

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mostly meaningless.

I'd rather see Marte hit the ball than not hit the ball. Of course I'd prefer it if he didn't have 18 whiffs in 59 ABs but his BA is still very high considering that.

Pedro is actually not striking out as much as he usually does. His rate is down below 25% for once. Of course he's also been striking out more as spring training goes along so I suspect that he'll be up in his normal bracket before too long.

I worry most about Neil Walker. If Neil doesn't get it together then we're too thin. The lineup will have to carry us until the rotation gets sorted (and Cole arrives) but I don't think the lineup can carry us unless all of the big guys are hitting reasonably well.

1B - pretty optimistic considering how well Gaby Sanchez has hit.
2B - big question
SS - known suck
3B - big question
LF - big question
CF - Rounding into form
RF - probable suck
C - probable suck

So Walker, Alvarez and Marte are the difference between winning and losing in my eyes. I assume that we'll get at least some production from 1B and CF - it's up to those three to make the offense click.
 

thedddd

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I find it meaningless the records but I still don't like the lineup. I really feel for McCutchen if they keep doing stupid things by hitting Jones in front of him.
 
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