MLB Baseball Betting - Pittsburgh Pirates

Manager: John Russell (first season).

2007: 68-94, sixth place NL Central

Training town: McKechnie Field, Bradenton, Fla.

Home Park: PNC Park, Cap, 38,496, Grass, Opened, April 9, 2001

World Series Titles: (5) 1909, 1925, 1960, 1971, 1979

Acquisitions: RHP Adam Bernero, RHP T.J. Beam, RHP Hector Carrasco, C Raul Chavez, RHP Elmer Dessens, LHP Phil Dumatrait, LHP Casey Fossum, INF Chris Gomez, C Michel Hernandez, RHP Byung-Hyun Kim, 3B Jose Macias, 1B Doug Mientkiewicz, C Miguel Perez, RHP Kevin Roberts, RHP Marino Salas, RHP Ty Taubenheim, OF Kevin Thompson, RHP Mike Thompson, SS Jorge Velandia, RHP Josh Wilson, RHP Jaret Wright.

Departures: RHP Tony Armas, INF Jose Castillo, RHP Shawn Chacon, 1B Brad Eldred, INF Cesar Izturis, RHP Dan Kolb, SS Ray Olmedo, 1B Josh Phelps, RHP Salomon Torres, LHP Shane Youman.

Outlook: While the Pittsburgh Pirates have a slew of talented young pitchers led by Ian Snell, Tom Gorzelanny, Paul Malholm and Zach Duke, putting it all together is another story altogether as the quartet of hurlers are all under the age of 26.

The Pirates also have a nice young closer in Matt Capps and two confirmed left-handed setup men in Damaso Marte and John Grabow.

While the Pirates have some young pitchers to build on, their everyday lineup has more question marks than the ‘Riddler’.

Shortstop Jack Wilson hit a respectable .296 and second baseman Freddy Sanchez hit .304 but other than those two, the Pirates have problems at the plate.

The Pirates were 12th in the National League in runs scored last season for a reason. Centerfielder Nate McLouth hit a dismal .258 in 137 games last season, third baseman Jose Bautista hit .254 in 142 games and catcher Ronny Paulino hit .263.

If the Pirates can show some growth, both on the mound and at the plate, they could approach 75-80 victories. If not, another sub-70 win season could be in order.

The Pirates begin the season listed at +20000 to win the 2008 World Series in the BetUS Sportsbook.

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Official Website: www.pittsburghpirates.com