10 Predictions for the 2012 Pirates Season

Here are my 10 somewhat bold predictions for the 2012 season.

1. A slight increase over the 2011 season (72-90), I'll go with a win loss of 74-88. 
2. Returning SP will regress, but the additions of Bedard and later Burnett will balance out the bad pitching from the other 3 starters.
3. Pedro Alvarez finally starts to develop a decent bat... in mid-June.
4. Andrew McCutchen falls just short of 30-30... with 33 SB and 28 HR.
5. The Pirates finish 4^th again in the division, above Chicago and Houston.
6. Matt Hague isn't quite the phenom everyone wants him to be, but he's not a complete bust either. .270/.295/.360 with 14 home runs.
7. Evan Meek returns to 2010 form and cements his role as the set-up man.
8. Starling Marte is called up in June and is a candidate for the ROY.
9. Brad Lincoln gets 5 wins on the season.
10. Nate McClouth embraces his role as a bench player and has his best statistical season in years.

I'll revisit these predictions at the end of the season.

VFPH is 2

VFPH turns 2 today, just in time for Opening Day. The blog has scaled back from what it once was due to lack of time (no longer an every game post), but we're still around and new posts will be put up on a more sporadic basis. Thanks for reading.