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It’s that time of year again, where the birds start singing, the weather starts turning warmer and baseball is back! It’s the start of Spring Training games and there is no better way to begin a new era in writing for me, here at RumBunter than with the start of the Pittsburgh Pirates 2014 Season Preview!
In this first edition, I’m going to take a look at the Pirates roster, bold predictions and complete guess of the end of the season. Of course, most of it will be 100% inaccurate and with trades, new signings and injuries, it’s nearly impossible to be completely correct but it’s fun to still try anyhow.
Team MVP – NL MVP
Andrew McCutchen – Cutch once again tops the Pirates team in most statistical categories and wins his 2nd straight NL MVP award WITH a Gold Glove too.
Home Run King – Strike Out King
Pedro Alvarez – This year, it won’t be a tie for the most home runs for Pedro, it will be feast of famine for the slugger. Expect Pedro to hit just over 40 HR’s this season but also strike out in the 150 range.
NL Rookie of the Year
Gregory Polanco – This young kid will finally patrol Right Field in early June taking over for Travis Snider and Jose Tabata, who remains on the bench while Snider gets traded or released.
1st Base Winner
Andrew Lambo – Lambo shocks everyone and wins the job by the middle of the season but struggling just a little bit to start the season but getting better with each month. Look for Lambo to hit around .260 with 25 HR’s and 70 RBI’s. His early season struggles will contribute to the lower average and RBI’s.
SS Winner
Alen Hanson – Hanson could get called up in September if he rips through AA and does well in AAA. The Pirates get an early look at their starting SS of the future at the end of the season.
2014 Standings
91-71 – St. Louis Cardinals – 2nd in the NL
88-74 – Pittsburgh Pirates – 4th in the NL
81-81 – Cincinnati Reds – 6th in the NL
74-88 – Milwaukee Brewers – 9th in the NL
66-96 – Chicago Cubs – 15th in the NL
NL Division Series
St. Louis Knocked Out Early
Pittsburgh Advances
NL Championship Series
Pittsburgh Advances
World Series
Pittsburgh Loses in Game 6
Post your predictions in the Comments below and Happy Spring Training!