2018 Pittsburgh Pirates In-Season Thread

[LeopardLetang]

I don't mind dodint because he doesn't seem to bring emotion with him. Or for whatever reason he doesn't trigger me. And if anything i agree with his take on people getting too high by 11-4.

I disagree that the pirates are bad though. And I'm curious what his conditions are for considering them bad. Under 500? No playoffs?

I think most seasons are a crapshoot to a point. And I think the pirates have built possible contenders since 2012. Top half teams at least which some have overperformed and some not. On paper this is feasibly a good team. Plenty of reasons to predict that and moreso after this start. But yeah without any dominant starters there's little chance of playoff success. But still a decent team run respectably in my opinion. And that opinion is so seemingly hot that I'll actively try to promote it occasionally

[Troy Loney]

I see the argument has basically simplified to the degree of optimism that people expressed after the strong start. It's basically the Randy Quaid character from Major League 2, minus the preseason optimism.

I think Dodint is breaking it down to either good or bad, where good is 1st place, division leader and bad is everything else. I would argue that there is good, bad and ok. The Pirates are ok when we thought that they'd be bad. There is reason to be optimistic in ok because of things I've stated earlier (roster control, farm system and low payroll).

[dodint]

If I have to quantify it:

81+ wins is a successful season.
75 is the low end of "meh, okay, fine."
74 and below, "bad, losers, sell the team, etc etc"

You basically need 75 to 80 wins to shut me up at the end of the year and allow the Pirates a losing record.

Given their division I don't 'expect' first place ever and won't fault them for not achieving that. That's what made 2015 so obnoxious in terms of outcome. All of that just to lose in a one-off play-in game. Not cool.

[LeopardLetang]

I'd agree with those w/l numbers in a sense but with some kind of "how long are they in contention/ final three week collapse after falling out of contention" caveat

But whatever. Main thing is it's lame to pop in after a few losses or even at the end of a bad season just to stick your tongue out when you really don't care

[willeyeam]

Oh **** Homer Bailey is throwing tonight. His ERA could be 732 and he'd shut the pirates out

[Freddy Rumsen]

No Hitter guaranteed

[Dickie Dunn]

Polanco is worse than Travis Snider.

[willeyeam]

Lannister in the 8th/non-save situations has not been good

[MrKennethTKangaroo]

The next time dodint comments on the on field product will be the first. Imo his pirate commentary is on the same level as Nittany Ned’s level of pitt commentary; there is no new insight, just an attempt to stir a pot for no other reason than to stir the pot. There is a reason why no one bothers with Ned and there is no need bother with dodint in this thread.

I tend to lean optimistic but it is not like I do not realize that this franchise has some amateur hour moments. That being said, at least try to sprinkle in some insight on the on field product and it might legitimize you takes.

No hard feelings, just sharing my 2 cents.

[Freddy Rumsen]

Ok. _0_

[dodint]

None taken.

As I glance onto the field now, I see a team struggling in extras against the 17-32 Reds...

[willeyeam]

Winners win and losers lose.

[Troy Loney]

I'm curious to see what lineup they go with today.

I'm not sure what Hurdle needs to see from Polanco that would get him to move him down the order, the dude would probably see more success in a lower pressure spot in the lineup.

I don't think Moran would thrive if moved up in the order, but I think he has a really steady approach and could provide the same level of production if he were simply just moved up to 2 to take over for Polanco. He does have a .362 OBP, that's pretty good and that would fit in nicely there. I'd like Bell moved down, but there really isn't a corresponding move there.

Harrison
Moran
Cervelli
Bell
Dickerson
Polanco
Meadows
Mercer

[DigitalGypsy66]

Polanco, Bell, and Mercer sitting this afternoon...

[willeyeam]

these getaway lineups always seem to put up big numbers somehow

[willeyeam]

I'd move Freese to 6 and bump the lefties all up a spot if you're gonna go 3 lefties in a row. I guess you'd want to swap JHay and Frazier too for that

[Dickie Dunn]

Player A - 1783 AB, 435 H, 161 XBH, 54 HR, 212 RBIs, 244/311/399/709, 155 ISO, 306 BABIP, 3.03% HR%, 8.17% XBH%
Player B - 1940 AB, 484 H, 178 XBH, 57 HR, 228 RBIs, 249/317/405/722, 156 ISO, 286 BABIP, 2.94% HR%, 8.25% XBH%

Tell me who.

[willeyeam]

snider and polanco again huh

[Dickie Dunn]

snider and polanco again huh

Always. The comparison is just too close to abandon.

[DigitalGypsy66]

Nova with a bad throw to Freese at first...but have to think Osuna could've caught that for an out.

[DigitalGypsy66]

Ahhh, grand slam...bad Nova strikes again.

[willeyeam]

Nova with a bad throw to Freese at first...but have to think Osuna could've caught that for an out.

sounds like it should have been an out for not running in foul territory

[willeyeam]

Meadows with another double. Polanco has to be the odd man out when everyone is healthy, right?

[Beveridge]

Yeah, but he'll go back to Indy because things.

[Morkle]

Has to be, in my mind. Kingham should also grab a start or two here soon too.