Rum Bunter’s 2018 Pittsburgh Pirates Preview: Marty

Predicting the 2018 Pirates’ Record

As was said above, the Pittsburgh Pirates *should* have a strong lineup and bullpen in 2018. Unfortunately, the starting rotation will leave a lot to be desired and runs the risk of derailing the 2018 season.

Had Neal Huntington and the Pirates better addressed their starting rotation in the offseason then, in my opinion, this team would 100 percent be capable of competing for a Wild Card spot in a weak National League.

It would not surprise me if 2018 shakes out similarly to 2017 with the Pirates contending into mid-to-late July before faltering down the stretch. Overall, the 2018 Pirates are better than the 2017 Pirates. The rotation, however, has taken a step back from 2017 with Joe Musgrove replacing Gerrit Cole.

If Chad Kuhl can continue to throw with the added velocity of 2017 while finding his control from 2016 and Tyler Glasnow can finally put it all together as a starting pitcher then my prediction will change. Without those things happening though, the Pirate rotation just simply is not good enough

Record prediction: 79-83

Next: Pirate SPs & Their Strikeout Issue

What are your predictions for the 2018 Pittsburgh Pirates? Leave them in the comments below or on Twitter! Also, watch for 2018 Pirate predictions from Nick and Dave later this week.