2008 Pittsburgh Pirates Overview

During the 2008 season, the Pittsburgh Pirates have the chance to tie a unique record in Major League Baseball. If the Pirates finish below .500 in 2008, they will tie the major-league record of 16 consecutive sub .500 finishes. This effort in futility was matched by the Philadelphia Phillies when they finished below .500 from 1933 to 1948.

Numerous managers, like Jim Leyland, Jim Tracy, and Lloyd McClendon, have attempted to turn the team around, but each of their tenures with the Pirates ended the same way. Each spring training, the Pirates players and management are full of life and hope that this will be the season it is turn around. The end result has always been the same.

There were minor changes to the Pirates' lineup during the off season as they were unable to move any of their starters. Leadoff hitter Nate McLouth helps provide a perfect combination of power and speed and will win the starting spot over Nyjer Morgan. Look for Freddy Sanchez to return to his 2006 form where he won the batting title with a .344 average. Sanchez regressed last year by only hitting .304. Adam LaRoche, Jason Bay and Xavier Nady have a chance to make up a formidable middle of the order, but all need to take a step up this season. Bay will be expected to rebound from a horrid 2007 campaign. If there is a franchise in need of an impact hitter, it is the Pirates who have not developed one since third baseman Aramis Ramirez in the late 1990's.

The pitching staff of the Pirates is one of the youngest in the major leagues and does have the potential to develop if given time. Tom Gorzelanny completed the 2007 season with 14 wins, while Ian Snell and Paul Maholm showed promised throughout the season. Zach Duke looks prepared to return to his 2005 where he had a 1.81 ERA and 8 wins in 14 starts. The Pirates closer, Matt Capps, took over the role in June and never looked back. He ended up converting 18 of the 20 save opportunities while holding right handed hitters to a .181 batting average.

Despite the potential with the pitching staff, first year head coach John Russell has his hands full. The competition will be stiff in the division and the only hopes the Pirates have of making the playoffs will be to win the division. Look for the Pirates to match the record set by the Phillies over 60 years ago.