Rabbit! Rabbit! for June

As is customary on the first of the month, for luck ... RABBIT! RABBIT!

Last month I predicted a 15-14 May, for a month end 25-26.
Actual Retail Price? 15-13, month end 25-25

So I was pretty much right on, except for counting the days wrong. Was there a rainout I missed?
 

Hitting

Oh. My. God.  Just awful. But it is slowly coming around, and perhaps some 4A guys like Mercer and Hague can light a fire. Look for Pedro to have a big month, which I'm guessing is what he will always be hot/cold/hot.

Pitching

At least one thing is consistent this year. Hanrahan and Cruz are on the block everyone. Who has a 1B, SS, LF or C to spare?

Intangibles

All May, most of Pirates Nation has bemoaning Neal Huntington's record.  With the cupboards bare of hitting prospects, who can blame them? Until the front office makes a more significant move that dumping Nate McLouth, this team is destined for a ceiling of .500, which wouldn't be all that bad anyhow.

Looking ahead to June

The most exciting game of the year is coming up this month, the game I GET TO SEE!  June 7, at Cincinnati.  Since my newpiratesfandom began in 2008, I've seen the Bucs 4 times, for a record of 3-1.  Sadly I missed a game in 2011, but will not go two years running without yelling BEAT EM BUCS!

September 3, 2008, Ross Ohlendorf's Pirate debut!  W 6-5 (at Cincinnati)

May 30, 2009, First PNC Game! Skyblast! Zac Brown Band! Big Bull Rider! W 7-4 (vs Astros)

October 4, 2009, Loss #99, last game of the season L 0-6 (at Cincinnati)

May 31, 2010, Memorial Day Hat Giveaway, and I'm on TV, barely ... W 2-1 (vs Cubs) 

June 7, 2012, Dramatic Jay Bruce 9th inning 3 run home run, not enough.  Bucs win 5-4. 

The Bucs have a lot of interleaguin' to do, which historically is a bad sign.  Hopefully this month they can reverse that trend, since starting next year, it's here to stay all season long ...

3 @ Milwaukee Brewers (prediction of 2 wins and 1 loss)
3 @ Cincinnati Reds (2/1)
3 vs Kansas City Royals (2/1)
3 @ Baltimore Orioles (0-3)
3 @ Cleveland Indians (1/2)
3 vs Minnesota Twins (2/1)
3 vs Detroit Tigers (2/1)
4 @ Philadelphia Phillies (2/2)
2 @ St. Louis Cardinals (1/1)

Not a bad month, 14-13 for a month-end 39-38, fueling more "contender talk" ... 

Beat Em, Bucs!