Congrats to Homer Bailey on his first career complete game shutout!

[jojo]

I don't think anyone will argue that the NL Central compares in any way to the AL East. As to who has more talent, who knows? But I'd rather play the 2010 O's in a four game series than the Pirates. We've seen what Paul Maholm can do to a lineup.

I'd rather play the team with less talent-i.e. the Pirates.

[bucksfan2]

I disagree. Andrew McCutchen is one of the most exciting players in all of baseball. 5 tool talent. Walker, the new 2B seems very solid. Doumit is a good offensive catcher. Most of the rest of the team is dreck, but they have some bright spots.

I think you could make an argument that McCutchen is their only MLB caliber player in their starting 8. They may have some nice young, raw talent but it has yet to appear on the MLB roster. If the Pirates continue to do what they always have, trade players with there is any indication of getting expensive, McCutchen will be long gone before they realize any modicum of success.

[blumj]

I don't think anyone will argue that the NL Central compares in any way to the AL East. As to who has more talent, who knows? But I'd rather play the 2010 O's in a four game series than the Pirates. We've seen what Paul Maholm can do to a lineup.

Well, I've seen what Kevin Millwood and Jeremy Guthrie and Brian Matusz can do to a lineup when they're on, too. Maybe if you're the Reds, you'd rather play the Orioles and maybe if you're the Red Sox, you'd rather play the Pirates right now, but I don't know why that would answer any question that matters. I do think the Orioles have more talent, but both teams seem to be in better shape going forward than the Astros, regardless of who loses the most games in '10 or how difficult it will be for each team to actually compete respectably against the competition on their schedules.

[Sea Ray]

Maybe if you're the Reds, you'd rather play the Orioles and maybe if you're the Red Sox, you'd rather play the Pirates right now, but I don't know why that would answer any question that matters.

Well nothing really matters. It's just sports. That's why we're here as an escape from things that really matter.

The question of which team was easier to beat was what started all of this. So far this year the O's have been the worst team in all of baseball. In fact I'd venture to say very few teams ever start as slowly as the O's have.

My point was that the Pirates aren't very good but there are worse teams out there and I mentioned the Orioles. Now you've brought up the Astros. I might even throw in the Indians, the D-Backs and the Royals. There are a plethora of struggling teams out there but not a lot of pitching performances like Homer's.

[blumj]

Well nothing really matters. It's just sports. That's why we're here as an escape from things that really matter.

The question of which team was easier to beat was what started all of this. So far this year the O's have been the worst team in all of baseball. In fact I'd venture to say very few teams ever start as slowly as the O's have.

My point was that the Pirates aren't very good but there are worse teams out there and I mentioned the Orioles. Now you've brought up the Astros. I might even throw in the Indians, the D-Backs and the Royals. There are a plethora of struggling teams out there but not a lot of pitching performances like Homer's.

Seems like there have been a lot this soon into a season, but, I agree the whole, "it doesn't really count cause it was just the Pirates or Orioles" thing doesn't work.