Pirates actually averaged a bit under 20K last year. Pretty bad, but better than about four or five others despite being the worst team with a horrible 55-107 record.

I'd be more worried about the Reds starting pitching than Pittsburgh's attendance issues, though. With the offense you guys have, you should take the division. But when you get put in big holes early on, you can't expect them to blast seven straight runs on a night-by-night basis.

Arroyo's a quality guy. I'd expect Cueto to be also when he comes back. A lot of question marks after that. Bailey's been the model of inconsistency throughout his young career. Leake and Wood are half-year wonders with high expectations (like some calling Wood their best starter). Volquez has amazing stuff, but implodes so regularly. How the hell does a guy have two starts by now where he gave up back-to-back homers to open the game?

I have no unrealistic dreams about the Pirates. Them just finishing near .500 would be an epic win. But you guys can't get into holes early in most games and hope to slug your way into 9-8 wins on a nightly basis...and that's where your pitching has you right now. You COULD be dominating...instead, you're just currently the best of a bad lot.

Didn't get to see the game live but saw some highlights. Great job, Pirates.

Heretic;744654 wrote:Pirates actually averaged a bit under 20K last year. Pretty bad, but better than about four or five others despite being the worst team with a horrible 55-107 record.

I'd be more worried about the Reds starting pitching than Pittsburgh's attendance issues, though. With the offense you guys have, you should take the division. But when you get put in big holes early on, you can't expect them to blast seven straight runs on a night-by-night basis.

Arroyo's a quality guy. I'd expect Cueto to be also when he comes back. A lot of question marks after that. Bailey's been the model of inconsistency throughout his young career. Leake and Wood are half-year wonders with high expectations (like some calling Wood their best starter). Volquez has amazing stuff, but implodes so regularly. How the hell does a guy have two starts by now where he gave up back-to-back homers to open the game?

I have no unrealistic dreams about the Pirates. Them just finishing near .500 would be an epic win. But you guys can't get into holes early in most games and hope to slug your way into 9-8 wins on a nightly basis...and that's where your pitching has you right now. You COULD be dominating...instead, you're just currently the best of a bad lot.

Eh, I'm not at all worried about the Reds' starters, or their pitching in general. Last year, they didn't blow anyone out of the water through pitching, it was through their offense. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Reds were like middle of the pack in the NL in pitching last year. Still won the division by 5 games. And the division isn't much better this year, unfortunately (I say unfortunately because it'd be cool to have 2 or 3 good teams vying for the last playoff spot in September...and so the winner actually has faced good competition all year instead of playing bad competition then getting smoked in the playoffs again).

Johnny Cueto and Homer should bring immediate help to the rotation, as both of those guys had very good springs and have a bit of experience under their belts now. The bullpen is good, but it can get better. Couple guys are struggling early on and Dusty is maneuvering his BP around to take care of that.

Reds pitching has actually been head and shoulders better than they were at this point in the season last year.

justincredible;744839 wrote:Reds pitching has actually been head and shoulders better than they were at this point in the season last year.

Just wait until Trusty over works them with 90+ pitch counts!

90+ pitches? Nooooooooo!

Yes arms will start falling off, literally, shortly after the All Star break.

FSO showed 105. Stadium had 106. Didn see the game day gun.

Don not know how they go and make sure they are legit though or how accurate those are in ML stadiums.

Buddy of mine is good friends ith the homeplate ump last night. He is gonna ask him how it looked calling a pitch that was 105