I'm not sold on the Pirates

[westofyou]

From Grantland

Clint Barmes, Alex Presley, and Garrett Jones have combined for nine walks and 111 strikeouts this season. Such offensive sieves are killing the Pirates offense, which is averaging just 3.24 runs scored per game. Per ESPN Stats & Info, since the mound was lowered in 1969, no team has scored as few runs as the Pirates have and finished at or above .500. Since 1901, only five teams with that run production have topped .500; none of them had a winning percentage as high as the Pirates' current .542 mark.

[fearofpopvol1]

I'm not sold on the Pirates either. Their pitching staff is ranked 20th in the majors in total WAR. In offense, they're ranked dead last. They're ranked 11th in fielding/UZR. This is not a playoff team.

However, like others, I'm not sold on the Reds either. I do believe the starters numbers will improve as the season goes on. The bullpen was due for some kind of correction. The question mark is the offense. The Reds desperately need a RH high OBP/power guy to bat 4th.

[757690]

Beware hubris.

I guarantee that there was a "I'm not sold on the Reds" thread on Brewer and Cardinal message boards in 2010.

[*BaseClogger*]

The Reds desperately need a RH high OBP/power guy to bat 4th.

The Reds desperately need another RH hitter?

[kaldaniels]

No hubris from me. Just baseball history. Run differential drives W-L records. Also along the lines of history, we saw this movie last year. No arrogance intended, just rational thought. Did this team improve by 15 wins this offseason?

[fearofpopvol1]

The Reds desperately need another RH hitter?

Yep, with high OBP skills and power.

[PuffyPig]

I guarantee that there was a "I'm not sold on the Reds" thread on Brewer and Cardinal message boards in 2010.

So, that proves that every team that after going many years without a winning season starts quickly they will win the division?

Most of us are simply looking at the Pirate's team and not seeing a winner.

[*BaseClogger*]

Yep, with high OBP skills and power.

But they already have the best OPS in the league against LH pitching?

[757690]

So, that proves that every team that after going many years without a winning season starts quickly they will win the division?

Most of us are simply looking at the Pirate's team and not seeing a winner.

Doesn't prove a thing. But the Reds in 2010 didn't seem like a winner, until they were. No one could have predicted that they would gain 13 games in one season.

[PuffyPig]

Doesn't prove a thing. But the Reds in 2010 didn't seem like a winner, until they were. No one could have predicted that they would gain 13 games in one season.

Actually the 2010 Reds looked like a very good team.

[Chip R]

Keep trying?

I think it's the Pirates that continue to try and succeed and the Reds that aren't playing up to expecations.

What were the expectations?

[Tom Servo]

What were the expectations?

59-0.

[fearofpopvol1]

But they already have the best OPS in the league against LH pitching?

Surely you haven't forgotten who our manager is! OBP is still a problem for the Reds and no way Dusty would bat a LH power hitter in the 4th spot! Have you seen how many times opposing teams have walked Votto to face Phillips? They're not scared of him. If we plugged David Wright in the 4 hole? Look out!

[757690]

Actually the 2010 Reds looked like a very good team.

Going into 2010, they didn't look any better than the 2012 Pirstes.

They needed Scott Rolen, Jay Bruce, Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo and Arthur Rhodes to have much better than average years, and Drew Stubbs, Mike Leake, Travis Wood, amd Arodlis Chapman to have outstanding rookie seasons.

Going into 2010, they were a .500 club at best. They played above their heads, got some luck and won the division. Same thing could happen this year with the Pirates.

[Tom Servo]

Going into 2010, they were a .500 club at best. They played above their heads, got some luck and won the division. Same thing could happen this year with the Pirates.

Scored 790 runs, Allowed 685 runs.
W-L: 91-71
Pythagorean W-L: 92-70