The Pirates starting pitching is worse than I ever possibly could have imagined. I really saw hope here in April, but now there is nobody I have faith in to go 5 innings. At the beginning of the year I can’t believe I wrote:
In year's past, this has been the Bucs achilles heel but no so this year, as they have a chance to be at least league average if not better. But that is assuming that the defense is at least league average as well, which right now is a BIG IF - this rotation doesn't strike many guys out. Zach Duke has earned the right to take the ball on Opening Day, and seems to have really settled into a groove. Ollie could be due for another step forward. Maholm should be stronger now, hopefully not hiding any injuries again. But the real gem in this group I think will be Charlie Morton. These top 4 have a real shot at winning 10-15 games a piece now that the bullpen is much improved. The 5 spot is a toss up at this point, and Daniel McCutchen deserves his shot after Kevin Hart looked lost in Spring Training. Now granted, there is no true ace in this bunch, but the mantra here is depth depth depth. Remember also that Brad Lincoln (and maybe Donnie Veal) are waiting in the wings. In Kerrigan I trust.
Wow, how terribly off I was. I thought they could be league average?!?!! Wow, someone really spiked my kool-aid, because they are easily league worst. Duke has been erratic, and now finds himself on the DL. Maholm’s been decent, but by no means dominating, and probably league average. Ohlendorf has had some bad luck (and a DL spell) but nevertheless pretty uninspiring and an 0-6 record to boot. And of course Morton has been dreadful, and is now pitching in Indianapolis. Granted he had a fantastic start the other night, but he’s going to need several more of those for management to roll the dice on bringing him back up. McCutchen was pretty bad in his brief tenure, and gets another chance in a spot start tonight vs Oakland. Hart and Veal are out for a year. Finally, Brad Lincoln, who was supposed to slot neatly into the rotation has been rushed up, and while he has show a few flashes of potential, he isn’t ready yet. Once I thought the top 4 were all capable of winning 10-15 games on their own (not all at once mind you), now Maholm is the only guy with a shot of winning 10. Jeff Karstens is probably our #2 right now. Eek. Of the other dreadful starters that have taken the hill, Burres is in Indianapolis, Jakubauskas got two guys out before being drilled in the head, and Eveland had no business coming here, and was recently DFA’d. Oh yeah, and then there’s always Hayden Penn! Quite a rotation you’re building Neal! The Bucs had better sign those high school kids, or else 2012 is looking as dim as 2011 and 2010.
If you’re looking for a ray of hope, well so am I. Now that all the chips are on the table, with Jose, Pedro, Neil and Brad on the big club it’s time to build that dynasty Frank thinks is here. Jose looks comfortable at leadoff playing next to Andrew, but he's sill very young. I think the average will start coming up, if if the power doesn't. Pedro looks terribly over matched at the plate, as he's pressing too much. He started slow at all levels, and will eventually succeed but it will take the better part of the summer. Neil just got the weekend off thanks to Church's errant knee (once JR finally put him in right and DH'd Millie, d'oh!) ... and Brad, see above.
Yeah, I’m pretty bitter right now, because the team is under performing. They absolutely should not be 20+ games under .500 right now, and it's time to lay some blame, hold accountable etc ... It's time for a sweeping management change. Russell and Beasley need to be shown the door, extensions be damned. It’s laughable that they’re still around. Replace them with Fredi Gonzalez and Frank Kremblas.
Next month: How trading Maholm, Doumit, Lopez and Dotel will make this team even worse!
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