Following the franchise’s first last place finish since 2010, Pittsburgh Pirates owner Bob Nutting ordered for a purge of his entire leadership structure. Team president Frank Coonelly, general manager Neal Huntington, and manager Clint Hurdle were sent packing. In their places arrive president Travis Williams, general manager Ben Cherington, and manager Derek Shelton. The Pirates finished the 2019 campaign with a record of 69-93 which included a jaw-dropping mark of 25-58 post All-Star break. Things could potentially get worse before they get better.
We’ll have MLB Odds at Bookmaker.eu available for every game of the 2020 MLB season.
2020 Pittsburgh Pirates Win Total Odds at Bookmaker.eu: 69.5, -105 over, -125 under
The Pirates have posted just one winning season since 2015 and have been large money losers on the MLB board in three of the past four seasons. Pittsburgh’s prospects to surpass the win total of 69.5 hinge in part by playing in the National League Central division. The St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers are good but not great teams. While the Cincinnati Reds are unproven. If there is a path to over the total its from playing a disproportionate amount of games on the schedule in the NL Central.
Manager Derek Shelton
To his credit departed Pirates manager Clint Hurdle produced three consecutive post season appearances from 2013 through 2015. However, it became crystal clear that it was time for a change as the 2019 season dragged out. Derek Shelton brings the much-needed new voice and arrives from a successful Minnesota Twins organization where he was bench coach. This is his first major league managerial role.
On the Hill
Last year the Pirates ranked 26th in MLB for staff earned run average, 25th for WHIP, 16th for quality starts, and 26th for bullpen.
Chris Archer is expected to anchor the rotation as the number one starter. He is coming off a bad 2019 season in which he finished 3-9 with a 5.19 earned run average. Archer was a two-time AL All-Star with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Pirates believe he can return to that form. His WHIP of 1.41 was the worst of his career.
Joe Musgrove is slated as the number two starter in the rotation and went 11-12 with a 4.44 earned run average in 2019 with a WHIP of 1.22. Musgrove is best known for playing on the 2017 Houston Astros World Series championship team.
Third starter Trevor Williams went from a 3.11 earned run average in 2018 to a 5.38 ERA last year. His WHIP also increased from 1.18 to 1.41. The Pirates can’t sustain another bad year out of Williams.
Closer Keone Kela was limited to just 29.2 innings pitched in 2019 but posted a 2.12 earned run average. In 2018 he saved 26 games with a 3.29 ERA.
At the Plate
First baseman Josh Bell was a 2019 NL All-Star that clobbered 37 doubles, 37 home runs, and 116 runs batted in last season. His OPS was .936. It all added up to a career year for Bell.
Left fielder Bryan Reynolds had a promising rookie campaign for 2019 in which he produced 83 runs, 37 doubles, 16 home runs, and 68 runs batted in.
Overall, the Pirates lineup lacks depth and protection for top producers. It’s 2019 ranking of 21st for runs produced may be difficult to equal.
2020 Pittsburgh Pirates Win Total MLB Betting Odds Pick
It was clearly time for change in Pittsburgh but there are no quick fixes. In fact, its difficult to see how such a thin team can equal last year’s win total of 69 games.
2020 Pittsburgh Pirates Win Total MLB Betting Odds Prediction: Under 69.5 wins
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