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I think barring a major trade or injury the Pirates can do it if they stay playing baseball like they have been.

The NL Central has the best teams recordwise in the MLB. Who agrees that the Pirates will finish ahead of the Astros?

Fact...they're playing pretty good now, but it probably won't last.Then once the pirates are mathematically eliminated, they always play better

Fiction - Sorry Josh, but the Pirates are just too streaky. They'll always be my team, but every time they start winning games, talk like this starts. I'm afraid they are probably playing way above their heads right now. But, I hope your assessment is the correct one.

Fiction. They'll have two of their best players traded by the trade deadline in Mesa and Benson. Things will be tougher from there and Houston has to get better. But does it really matter? They arent even in contention to make the playoffs.

I don't think Mesa and Benson are their two best players--just the two in highest demand. But agreed, this is FICTION.

The Pirates play in the toughest division in baseball. The division is tough from top to bottom and the Pirates will see themselves in the basement for the rest of the year. However, they will continue to play well and will have the best record of any basement dwelling team despite the fact that they play in the only 6 team division. It says a lot for the NL Central.

Pirates looked extremely impressive again today coming back from a 5-1 deficit to win 6-5. Torres set up Mesa for another save. Burnett wasn't earthshattering but got the win. Pirates sweep the Reds and have now won something like 14 of 15 at home. I think the if the Benson trade in any way helps the Pirates, they have just as good of a shot at the Wild Card spot as Milwalkee and Chicago (if the Cubs don't pick it up.) Probably just wishful thinking, but it would be nice.

Looking at the standings now...

1. The bottom 4 teams in the Central Division all have 49 losses.

2. The Bucs are 1.5 games out of third place in the division.

3. They are 4 games out of second place in the division.

4. And 6 games back in the wild card race.

How bout them Bucs!!! Its really a lot of fun watching them again. It figures I have tickets for the Braves game tonight and its raining lol

fiction.....i predict that the astros will be playing the cardinals in game 7 of the nlcs on thrusday october 21st :lol:

bb you are an all wise all knowing baseball god are'nt you.cards and astros in nlcs makes me happy it shows how tough of a division the pirates play in. 2006 major league all star game in pittsburgh,pa and the pirates will make the playoffs that same year!