The All-Star break came at the right time for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
They enter the unofficial midpoint with a 38-50 record. Last season, they were 44-50 at the break and limped to the end of the season with a 23-45 record.
But, hey, look at the bright side, there are at least three days this week where they won't lose a game.
Unfortunately, there's a little thing called reality. A winning record all is but a dream this season. The team's goal should be to avoid losing 100 games.
Not many will notice by then, since training camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers will begin in a couple weeks and the real games start before the Bucs officially close up shop for the season.
Here's a look at the Bucs:
Catcher: Ryan Doumit missed most of the season with a wrist injury. Those typically can linger, so Doumit's power might not return in the second half. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 65 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 60 percent.
First base: Adam LaRoche (.250-12-39 first half) is a second-half player, so there's promise of life at the position. Unfortunately, he's on the traing block again. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 35 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 10 percent.
Second base: Freddy Sanchez (.316-6-34) is healthy and looks like a batting champ again. The Pirates are looking to trade him, so don't get too comfortable cheering for Freddy. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 25 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 20 percent.
Shortstop: Jack Wilson (.270-4-31) has been outspoken about the Pirates' rebuilding plans. He's another being shopped around. Don't be surprised to see a different middle infield in the second half. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 45 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 15 percent.
Third base: Andy LaRoche (.269-4-34) struggled at the start of the season but has found his way. The power's not there yet, but he was hitting .300 earlier in the year. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 95 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 90 percent.
Outfield: Andrew McCutchen (.292-2-23-7 SBs) got called up after Nate McLouth got traded. McCutchen is part of the future for this team, so enjoy him while he's in a Pirates uniform. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 99.9 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 99.9 percent.
Garrett Jones (.310-5-7 in 46 at-bats) has made an instant splash since being called up. I'd like to see more of him in the second half. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 85 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 80 percent.
Lastings Milledge has yet to play for the Bucs after they acquired him from the Washington Nationals in the Nyjer Morgan trade. I'm putting Milledge here expecting him to get called up in the next week or two. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 95 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 90 percent.
Starting pitchers: Zach Duke (8-8, 3.29 ERA) has been the team's best pitcher and was named as a replacement to the All-Star team. He seems to have recovered from the Jim Tracy era. Unfortunately, the Bucs are shopping him. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 65 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 60 percent.
Paul Maholm (6-4, 4.60) started the season strong, then faded. I'd expect a better second half from him, whether he's in a Bucs uniform or another team. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 55 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 50 percent.
Ross Ohlendorf (7-7, 4.64) has been up and down. Expect the team to stick with him the rest of the way. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 85 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 80 percent.
Charlie Morton (1-2, 4.29) was acquired in the Nate McLouth trade. He has some potential, but that doesn't always equate to success on this team. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 85 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 80 percent.
Ian Snell (2-8, 5.36) is on the list because I think he'll be back up and he's made 15 first-half starts. This guy has the stuff to be a No. 2 starter, but struggles with his location. He kind of reminds me of Oliver Perez. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 45 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 40 percent.
Relievers: Matt Capps (1-5, 6.21, 19 saves) hasn't been a big, bull rider this season. Don't be surprised to see Joel Hanrahan pick up some save opportunities. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 75 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 70 percent.
John Grabow (3-0, 3.32) has often been mentioned in trades. After Sanchez, he could be the next to go. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 45 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 40 percent.
Joel Hanrahan (0-0, 8.10) was terrible with the Nationals, so they traded him. I like his stuff, and with some help from pitching coach Joe Kerrigan, he could harness that nasty fastball. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 95 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 90 percent.
They enter the unofficial midpoint with a 38-50 record. Last season, they were 44-50 at the break and limped to the end of the season with a 23-45 record.
But, hey, look at the bright side, there are at least three days this week where they won't lose a game.
Unfortunately, there's a little thing called reality. A winning record all is but a dream this season. The team's goal should be to avoid losing 100 games.
Not many will notice by then, since training camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers will begin in a couple weeks and the real games start before the Bucs officially close up shop for the season.
Here's a look at the Bucs:
Catcher: Ryan Doumit missed most of the season with a wrist injury. Those typically can linger, so Doumit's power might not return in the second half. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 65 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 60 percent.
First base: Adam LaRoche (.250-12-39 first half) is a second-half player, so there's promise of life at the position. Unfortunately, he's on the traing block again. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 35 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 10 percent.
Second base: Freddy Sanchez (.316-6-34) is healthy and looks like a batting champ again. The Pirates are looking to trade him, so don't get too comfortable cheering for Freddy. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 25 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 20 percent.
Shortstop: Jack Wilson (.270-4-31) has been outspoken about the Pirates' rebuilding plans. He's another being shopped around. Don't be surprised to see a different middle infield in the second half. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 45 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 15 percent.
Third base: Andy LaRoche (.269-4-34) struggled at the start of the season but has found his way. The power's not there yet, but he was hitting .300 earlier in the year. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 95 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 90 percent.
Outfield: Andrew McCutchen (.292-2-23-7 SBs) got called up after Nate McLouth got traded. McCutchen is part of the future for this team, so enjoy him while he's in a Pirates uniform. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 99.9 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 99.9 percent.
Garrett Jones (.310-5-7 in 46 at-bats) has made an instant splash since being called up. I'd like to see more of him in the second half. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 85 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 80 percent.
Lastings Milledge has yet to play for the Bucs after they acquired him from the Washington Nationals in the Nyjer Morgan trade. I'm putting Milledge here expecting him to get called up in the next week or two. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 95 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 90 percent.
Starting pitchers: Zach Duke (8-8, 3.29 ERA) has been the team's best pitcher and was named as a replacement to the All-Star team. He seems to have recovered from the Jim Tracy era. Unfortunately, the Bucs are shopping him. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 65 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 60 percent.
Paul Maholm (6-4, 4.60) started the season strong, then faded. I'd expect a better second half from him, whether he's in a Bucs uniform or another team. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 55 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 50 percent.
Ross Ohlendorf (7-7, 4.64) has been up and down. Expect the team to stick with him the rest of the way. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 85 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 80 percent.
Charlie Morton (1-2, 4.29) was acquired in the Nate McLouth trade. He has some potential, but that doesn't always equate to success on this team. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 85 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 80 percent.
Ian Snell (2-8, 5.36) is on the list because I think he'll be back up and he's made 15 first-half starts. This guy has the stuff to be a No. 2 starter, but struggles with his location. He kind of reminds me of Oliver Perez. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 45 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 40 percent.
Relievers: Matt Capps (1-5, 6.21, 19 saves) hasn't been a big, bull rider this season. Don't be surprised to see Joel Hanrahan pick up some save opportunities. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 75 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 70 percent.
John Grabow (3-0, 3.32) has often been mentioned in trades. After Sanchez, he could be the next to go. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 45 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 40 percent.
Joel Hanrahan (0-0, 8.10) was terrible with the Nationals, so they traded him. I like his stuff, and with some help from pitching coach Joe Kerrigan, he could harness that nasty fastball. Odds he finishes the season with the Bucs: 95 percent. Odds on him with 2010 Bucs: 90 percent.
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