Team MVP
All Star CF Nate McLouth-Having a great season after entering Spring training battling for his job,hitting .281-19-65 with 11 steals…2nd in MLB in doubles with 33, also an excellent CF(watch his throw in the AS game)
2nd Half Preview-
Team is 44-50 at the break, start a 7 game road trip Thursday at Colorado. Team has 2 starting pitchers down and that is the key to this team getting to .500. The hitting is excellent and with C Ryan Doumit(.329,11,29 rbi) back from his hand injury, they just need average starting pitching. The arm injury with closer Matt Capps is also a major negative, I see 76-78 wins and just a bit away from .500. Still a tremendous job by Manager John Russell and this group of players.
Trade Market-
Pirates will have a lot of people calling about 4 major players- RF Xavier Nady, LF Jason Bay, LH RP Damaso Marte and SS Jack Wilson. I think they are a good bet to move on of the OFs, fetching a good amount in return. The reliever market will straighten out when some early trades are made, Marte’s status might not be settled until the Pirates know more about the Capps’ health prognosis.
Next Game-
at Colorado- start a 4 game series vs the Rockies at Coors Field
Thursday-9:05
Pirates LH Paul Maholm(6-5,3.93) vs Rockies RH Ubaldo Jimenez(4-9,4.22(
