2013 MLB Season Predictions: Projecting the division and award winners
By Matt Shetler
Pittsburgh Pirates Record
Matt Shetler: 77-85- They will get close but ultimately the streak continues. I just don’t believe that this team is better than last year’s and given the fact that they like to keep their best talent in the minors probably longer than they should, the young talent that can help likely won’t get the opportunity before it is too late. On paper there are holes in the starting rotation, bullpen and on the bench that weren’t addressed in the offseason. Unfortunately they will be a couple games worse than a season ago.
Matt Gajtka: 88-74- St. Louis grabbed the second wild card with the same record last year, and it will be enough in 2013 for the Bucs to break their aversion to October baseball. Yes, it’s a 10-win jump, but I think the rotation holds up with the help of a midseason Gerrit Cole injection. Pedro Alvarez and Andrew McCutchen each hit 30 bombs again, with Starling Marte’s maturation putting the offense over the top.
Drew Shetler: 82-80- The Pirates finish over 500 for the first time in 20 years, but it isn’t enough to make the playoffs.