As we kick off a new week, we head to the Steel City to preview the Pittsburgh Pirates 2024 season. The Bucco’s are coming off a “better” season where they finished with 76 wins, a record that was buoyed by a brilliant start to the season. That improved record came off the back of strong play from a “core” of players comprised of veterans Bryan Reynolds, Andrew McCutchen, and emerging talents Ke’Bryan Hayes and Jack Suwinski. They added pitchers Martin Perez and Aroldis Chapman to help the rotation and bullpen, while also adding DH Rody Tellez. There is some hope in “the Burgh” that this team can finally return to relevance, but it won’t be easy in a crowded division. Let’s take a look at what will drive this team toward success this season.

Keys to Success

1. Skenes Makes it to The Show: The Pirates have been down for some time now. Of course, what comes with that is the ability to add a lot of young talent to the organization through the draft, and one of those talents is Paul Skenes. Skenes has become a celebrity off the field for dating gymnast Livvy Dunne, but it’s time for him to step up and become a star on the field. If Skenes can take a step this year, the Pirates rotation may actually have a chance to compete.

2. Cruz Takes Becomes a Regular: Another one of the Pirates big prospects is Oneil Cruz. Through the last two seasons, the big shortstop has shown flashes of what he can be at the major league level but hasn’t done so with any consistency. If he can stay healthy, this needs to be the year where Cruz joins the core as a regular contributor to the Pirates.

3. Davis Takes Over Behind the Plate: If you’re sensing a theme here, our last key to success centers around young catcher Henry Davis. Davis is another one of the Bucco’s top draft choices and the Pirates are hoping to see him become a regular this season, much like Skenes and Cruz. He showed some of his ability last year and is expected to start the season with the big club behind the plate.

The Lineup

1. Oneil Cruz SS

2. Bryan Reynolds CF

3. Ke’Bryan Hayes 3B

4. Andrew McCutchen DH

5. Jack Suwinski RF

6. Henry Davis C

7. Rowdy Tellez 1B

8. Edward Olivares LF

9. Liover Peguero 2B

The Staff

1. Mitch Keller

2. Martin Perez

3. Marco Gonzalez

4. Luis Ortiz

5. Bailey Falter

Closer: David Bednar

The Prediction

75 Wins

I think the Pirates will show some more improvements as the season goes on, but it’s hard to see this team making a serious push towards the playoffs with their pitching staff in the shape it’s in. While Mitch Keller is an up and comer, he needs more backup for this team to really improve. Much like we said in the Royals preview, keep an eye on this team in 2025 and beyond as they mature into a contender.

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