Am I the only one who actually thinks that .....

[NewMexicoLobo]

Our bucs could have a winning season?

[bucco boy]

All depends on the starting pitching in my eyes. If Keller continues his upward trend and Hill gives us quality starts, I think there is a chance. Contreras is only 23 so I expect him to improve. The other two spots are big question marks with Brubaker the Home Run Maker and Valaszquez.

[Dan_Stonerook]

It will be an exciting season.

Cruz and Contreras are going to be fun to watch.

[GreenWeenie]

End a season with a -226 RD (for very good reasons) and begin the next with our style of additions, the all-but-guaranteed July departure of Bryan Reynolds, fewer games against lesser opponents (the Reds,) and a slightly better Cubs team, and I would place money on the Pirates not reaching .500.

It's just not there regardless of how it's spun or who's doing the spinning.

I'd be happy and surprised if we win 75 games. If someone gave me that today, I'd gladly take it smiling and commend them for it.

[statscbl]

As far as the betters are concerned, the over/under on the Pirates win total is 67.5.

[GreenWeenie]

That sounds more like excruciating than exciting.

[statscbl]

This year MLB will be going to a more balanced schedule. The Pirates will only play 13 games each against Cardinals, Cubs, Brewers and Reds (it was 19). The games against the other NL teams will stay about the same. However, the Pirates will now play every AL team a 3 game series (except one team will be 2 home, 2 away).

[Ralphie]

After winning 60 last year, to expect 82 this year is wildly optimistic. 70 is the mark I am hoping for. Then hope for 80 next year. Which at that point you are in contention for a playoff spot.

Of course you never know. I wouldn't be shocked to see 75. Or 65 for that matter. But 82 I would be shocked.

[Dan_Stonerook]

After winning 60 last year, to expect 82 this year is wildly optimistic. 70 is the mark I am hoping for. Then hope for 80 next year. Which at that point you are in contention for a playoff spot.

Of course you never know. I wouldn't be shocked to see 75. Or 65 for that matter. But 82 I would be shocked.

75 wins is my high-water mark for this year.
I'm thinking closer to 70.

[GreenWeenie]

After winning 60 last year, to expect 82 this year is wildly optimistic. 70 is the mark I am hoping for. Then hope for 80 next year. Which at that point you are in contention for a playoff spot.

Of course you never know. I wouldn't be shocked to see 75. Or 65 for that matter. But 82 I would be shocked.

75 wins is my high-water mark for this year.
I'm thinking closer to 70.

"One never knows" is soooo right!

This time (hard to believe) ten years ago, in the Pre-season Prediction Poll, I had what remains my worst result ever. I won it twice and when I don't, I'm usually within five in either direction.

I can't recall the exact number, but I know that I predicted losses somewhere close to 99. No way would the Pirates finish >.500.

All season long, I half-expected The Fade.

Boy, did they prove me wrong. I don't think anyone on our board (another one) had them winning, let alone be First Wild Card.

I dont see the same roster makeup today...but.....one never knows!

Ten years......wow.

[GreenWeenie]

Two guys remain- Andrew McCutchen (not continuous)....and BOB (sadly, continuous.)

With BOB, we KNOW. ((((((((((

[statscbl]

Here is my twisted take on 2022. The Pirates won 62 games. There were at least 5 games that it seems like the Pirates could have won, but managed like winning didn't matter (meaning the guys in the line-up or pitchers used). There were another 5 games it looked like the Pirates lost because they were trying to lose and get that draft pick. Based on that, I felt we were a 72 win team last year. I predict we will try to actually win games this year, so 72 will be my guess.

[GhostOfPitthorn]

After winning 60 last year, to expect 82 this year is wildly optimistic. 70 is the mark I am hoping for. Then hope for 80 next year. Which at that point you are in contention for a playoff spot.

Of course you never know. I wouldn't be shocked to see 75. Or 65 for that matter. But 82 I would be shocked.

75 wins is my high-water mark for this year.
I'm thinking closer to 70.

"One never knows" is soooo right!

This time (hard to believe) ten years ago, in the Pre-season Prediction Poll, I had what remains my worst result ever. I won it twice and when I don't, I'm usually within five in either direction.

I can't recall the exact number, but I know that I predicted losses somewhere close to 99. No way would the Pirates finish >.500.

All season long, I half-expected The Fade.

Boy, did they prove me wrong. I don't think anyone on our board (another one) had them winning, let alone be First Wild Card.

I dont see the same roster makeup today...but.....one never knows!

Ten years......wow.

How many Stargell Stars did you end up with...about as many as the Pirates had wins that season ten years ago, right?

[GreenWeenie]

Maybe 2. Not sure. I forgot about those. Shed had so many contests, but the only ones I entered were the PSPP.

We had some good times. Wonder what's up with some of the guys....and gals.

Hard to imagine what can be more fun & important than Bucco bantering.

[Shedman]

A stroll down memory lane. Here are the past winners of the Annual Hostage prediction poll

2008 - Wieterless
2009 - 17nCountin & Kovie
2010 - Irate Spider
2011 - 21stheBest
2012 - dtx180
2013 - BuccoDave
2014 - Glassers
2015 - Beisbol
2016 - Kovie