Rum Bunter’s 2018 Pittsburgh Pirates Preview: Nick

Final Projections

Many would say that the Pittsburgh Pirates are in the middle of a rebuild.  However, there is plenty of youth and upside on this team.  If one thinks back to 2013, the Bucs had some youth and upside along with younger players entering their prime years.  The Pittsburgh Pirates are in a very similar situation this year.  Players like Polanco and Starling Marte are entering their prime years.  Meanwhile, a staff made up of young arms is now seeing themselves entering their third year in the big leagues, and they could be ready to take a step forward.

Next: Another Series of Predictions

Will the Pittsburgh Pirates make the playoffs this season?  Most likely not.  They are a in a tough division that will be won by the Cubs.  The Cardinals are always tough, and no matter what they lose off their roster they somehow find adequate replacements.  Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers showed baseball last year that they have a legit offense and are a team trending upward.  So, the Bucs at best will battle for 3rd place in the NL Central.  At the best, I could see their record being 83-79.  Worst case scenario I could them being 72-90.  The Buccos have a lot of variables this year, health of players, young players taking a step forward, and filling the shoes of their former franchise players.  However, this team is young and should be fun to watch develop!