With the hot stove cooling, it's time for our family to make our annual predictions. As usual, forecasts range widely. As with last year, I am most pessimistic, and Charlie really believes.
(The author correctly predicted the Pirates' 71 wins last year. Charlie cheerily predicted 90 wins last year also.)
Early in spring training, the Pirates sported a gaudy 8-2 record and - more shockingly - found themselves the talk of baseball. Konnor Griffin's quick start hitting majestic home runs in the Grapefruit League quickly drew comparisons to Paul Skenes's two years of actual dominance on the mound in actual baseball. As temperatures climbed, Griffin's average slid, and the team started getting blown out the more spring training resembled the Major League product. It felt all too familiar from the worst parts of last year.
Now, pundits are calling Pittsburgh's fielders the worst set seen in these parts in years. The season will show whether hot, young starting pitchers, trash heap bullpen arms, light-hitting infielders, or newly-arrived (and arriving) power bats will define the season for the team with MLB's most rivers and the 23rd-highest payroll.
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