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This team has gone through a complete flip-flop in the last year. I remember not to long ago the strength of the team was solid defense (especially up the middle), pitching was somewhat acceptable, but they struggled to even score a run. It appears that this year they are going to have to score 6-7 runs a game if they want a chance to win. If anyone had a chance to read ESPN magazines article on young pitchers (mainly Pirates pitchers) it is shameful how this organization is destroying their talented arms. The Pirates have used 7 first round picks in the last 10 years on pitchers and 5 of them have arm problems. Tim Alderson is the centerpiece of the article and was drafted throwing consistently in the mid-90s and after 2 years in the Pirates organization he is toping out mid-80s without any known arm problems. He went back to this high school coach and wanted to know what has happening to him and his high school coach told him he was a better pitcher as a freshman in high school. It truly is sad how many careers this organization is ruining.

The worst part about that defense yesterday is that Lyle Overby is a gold glove caliber first baseman, and had he fielded that grounder yesterday the Pirates get out of that inning in the lead still.

How about back to back road series wins for the first time since 2007?

As most, I would like to see a winning season (not realistic yet) or a playoff team (in my dreams) this season, but more realistic here are three things I would like to see that would indicate the Buccos are moving in the right direction.

1. Two guys make the all-star team. That means two guys are actually playing well and the league doesn't have to pick the annual Pirate token
2. Two starting pitchers have a winning records with double digit wins. Don't believe that has happened since 2004
3. At least one top pitching prospect and one top position player prospect make a major jump in the minors this season. How about Tony Sanchez moving to Indy by early July and in the 'burgh by end of August and Taillon in Altoona by the end of July? How sweet would that be?

It is early, but man it has been fun for the first 6. When this team wins, people follow.

I do not like Cedeno at all and hope they can replace him from within SOON. If all these guys would pitch as they did during their best stints in AAA or the majors (at one point or another over the last 3 years), the Pirates could get to that .500 record we long for. It is asking a ton for all 5 guys to do that, but....hey, it could happen and right now the ride has been pretty fun. I hope fans pack the place this weekend!!!

voncap

Sanchez will get to Indy this year, the only question is will he get there in time to get a September call up. I sure hope so. Taillon has an outside shot at getting to Altoona this year, as does Stetson Allie the fire baller they took with their second pick last year, but they should both get to Indy next year possibly even Pittsburgh. What I really wanna see with the prospects is pitchers at AAA like Rudy Owens and Bryan Morris, the only remaining piece of the Jason Bay trade still in the Pirate system, make it to Pittsburgh this year and make some noise upon arrival.

coach

I'll be there tomorrow afternoon, may 7th straight opening day now, and Saturday night I'll be there too and I agree hopefully the ballpark is packed this weekend. It could be a buzzing place with a pretty good atmosphere this weekend if people pack the place and the Bucs manage to take 3 of 4 from the Rockies.

The only problem with them is, they seem to do this every year. The come out of the gate fast, about 15 games in they have your hopes up about the season. After that it goes south from there. A 5 game losing streak and so on.

Hopefully with a much much much better manager at the helm something like that won't happen this year, but if they don't start playing better defense it won't matter what kind of a start they get off to. The Rockies should have only scored 3 runs today tops but poor defense allowed them to blow the game open.

JD,

You are correct about the defense. Just one of the reasons to not get overly optimistic about this season. Starting pitching is another,

But there are still reasons to think this team can start to be respectible. Playing in a weak division, and finally having more than one or two guys in the everyday lineup who are stong competitors are a few.

Theres no doubt in my mind they'll be much better this year, and be respectable. I was sitting in the stands yesterday thinking if you put together a N.L. Central all-star team the Bucs would have two starters in Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker, and you could even make a case to have Alvarez at 3rd, that right there is a sign of progress. Also, Tabata wouldn't make the team because of corner outfielders like Ryan Braun, Jay Bruce, and Matt Holliday, but that doesn't change the fact that through the first week Tabata has been the best lead off man in baseball and is an ideal lead off man. He hits for average, draws walks, can absolutely fly, and will score runs I mean he does lead the league in runs scored right now, albeit through just 7 games.