Pirates over 76.5 wins

Love this will be discussing why in near future..over 76.5 at even money...Bucs shake up  MLB this year..

Ok Ben Cherrington, did Bob Nutting put words in your mouth. LOL

I looked hard at them. Good young line-up; they picked up Jake Mangum, Ryan O'hearn; but they'll be in trouble if Skenes gets hurt. Their pitching just isn't that deep, either starters or BP. Over 76.5 is certainly attainable though.

Milky's a better pick out of that division. They are 4 deep at pitching. Strong pen. Great closer. Better than average manager. Veteran line-up. Their 1st half schedule is pretty soft. They should hit the AS break in good shape, barring injuries.

Over 84.5 is worth looking at.

RT2

@RebelTell2

 Dig deeper their starting staff is solid. and very deep with numerous young arms poised to. move. up from AAA...ie..Barco...Jones....Campbell...Harrington.. to name just a few...Skenes..Chandler..Ashcraft...Keller... starting 4...FA vet...Urqquidy...lots of options..

Do not get me wrong Bucs need to catch lightning in a bottle...Starting with Cruz this year.. So much untapped potential...but....More to come...

Added.. Lowe.....Ozuna.....Mangum...O Hearn...Garcia...of course the sky is the limit if Konnor Griffin makes the club.. Still have hope Henry Davis finally figures it out..

Line now  over 78.5....   -139... Vegas getting a hint....

@RebelTell2

 Bull pen not as strong as starters but not empty either... Closer projected Santana great as set up man last year.. Closer well...Imo that will fall to Mattson and Santana back to set up..FA  Soto...Mlodzinski great middle relief... Nicolas young but nasty control issues in the past though...lawerence...FA Monty... A slew of young arms in AAA who will. contribute like last year as the year goes on like Ashcraft and Burrows did last year...Imo lefty Barco is the hidden gem.

Fun fact..The Bucs pitching staff led all of MLB in shut outs..

2025 above

 I'll be pulling for you and the Buccos. Mangum is a Mississippi kid, one of my favorite players. And Skenes, gotta love him on your team too.

I just can't bet two overs out of the same division and think the Brew Crew is a better play since they will be fighting the Cubs for the Central from the get-go. Lots of mo for them in 2026, plus they won 97 last year. 85 seems too short of a number for 2026. But you never know...we'll see how spring training goes.

BOL,

RT2

Same to you Rebel..GL.. Here is  to both of us cashing..

Good luck

I  predict both Henry Davis and Cruz  to have break out years...

@ArtSchlichterJr

 The potential on Cruz is off the chart, like you said both these guys need a break out year. Most power in this line up in a long time.I wish it was more of a hiters ball park to be honest

@Robards

 They are the two players with the most room for upward potential on the team by far...Nobody works harder then Davis has.. Its been floated he worked all off season on some metric work and found out he had way to much weight on his back foot..  Cruz worked from day one in the off season with a  ex Mlb lefty to improve his lefty stats..He admitted he needed to improve and was determined to do so....

19 yr old Konnor Griffin with 2 bombs today... MLB TOP PROSPECT...

Up to 77.5 at my online book, juiced to 120.

Gonna shop Vegas lines to see what's available when I'm out there next week. Good young players, lots of potential.

Been studying their schedule. Looks like they've got a rough 2nd half, and that's when young players tend to falter. They're gonna need to start hot out of the gate. They don't have that many weak opponents:

St. Louis...13 games

Colorado...6 games

Miami...6 games

Washington...7 games

AL opponents: three game sets with: A's, Tampa, KC, Angels, Minny.

That's just 47 games with lower tier teams. Otherwise, it's tough sledding.

So the key will be to start strong. If they are in the hunt for a playoff spot, it's more likely that the front office will make some moves at the break. But the Bucs' front office has been pretty stingy in the past.

Key home series:

4 with Cubbies, last of May

3 with Dodgers, middle of June

3 with Braves, early July

3 with Milky, right before the break

Winning these series would give the Bucs' brass some impetus to make moves.

Gonna be interesting...always love baseball. Season wins is where the money is made in this sport.

RT2

At Sugar Pirates up to 79.5...-114....Early bird gets the worm....

IMO Early signs Konnor Griffin will start the year in AAA...

Imo Cruz will finally put it all together... Got a good early number at 76.5 even money....Play ball....

Predicted to land in 4th in the NL Central according to MLB experts in the know. 

@Verdict

 My feeling on that Verdict...Art has been following the Bucs since most of the so called experts were just a gleam in their daddy's eye.. Lets see who is right..

@ArtSchlichterJr

 Cubs

Brewers

Reds 

Bucs 

Cards

Pirates did approve over last year. Lowe was a solid pick. Getting rid of Cutch just as good. Hard to see them getting a wild card this year. Majority of the team from last year still on the roster. Cruz is turning into Polanco. Who cares how hard he hits a ball at someone. Zero hitting available by the catchers. Reynolds tailed off last year. I don't see anything but maybe getting to .500, if that. I'm from the Burg. Saw games in Forbes Field. Worked in the marketing dept for ticket sales from 88- 91 in 3 Rivers. Well over 500 games I been in the stands. I go to Opening day and maybe another game these days. Nutting killed this organization down to the core. Majority of the adults in their 30's have only seen a .500 or better record a couple of times in their life. Just sad!

@Verdict

 Also added ..O'hearn...Magnum...Ozuna... plus Lowe...Plus get a injury free start this year from Nicky G who I really like and Horowitz...Line up Imo huge upgrade from last years 73 win team...With some protection in line up feel Cruz and Reynolds will be. better...Young staff that also can take a step forward from last year...Win total at Sugar now 79.5 at -139.. So leaning 80 plus...83 was wildcard last year...Agree need to hit lighting in a bottle but this team has that chance...Nuttting total dog agree... if Bubba Chandler is special 80 plus is very attainable..imo...Lots of ifs but hope..Henry Davis sinks or swims this year still hoping...