The Pittsburgh Pirates are a pretty good team... til they play 19 inning games in the middle of the summer. Then it seems that they give it everything to have to win those games and they forget to play the rest of the season. Now that may not be the real reason the Pirates have collapsed late in the season lately, but that is one of the many theories about why this Pirates' organization has struggled to finish the season strong lately. The Pirates have key pieces like All-Star Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Gomez, and A.J. Burnett, but its getting the right players around these guys to complement them that the Pirates have struggled with. If the leaders of this organization can do that, then this team can contend for the NL Central title. Until that day though I have them sitting in 4th, just ahead of the Chicago Cubs.
Potential Opening Day Lineup 1) Starling Marte OF 2) Neil Walker 2B 3) Andrew McCutchen OF 4) Pedro Alvarez 3B 5) Garrett Jones 1B 6) Russell Martin C 7) Travis Snyder OF 8) Clint Barnes SS | Potential Starting Rotation 1) A.J. Burnett 2) Wandy Rodriguez 3) James McDonald 4) Jeff Locke 5) Jonathan Sanchez |