2025 Official OBN Predictions Thread

[mouse]

Wildwood notes my thoughts as well. If Bart is the real deal, and if Endy is to focus on catching, then Davis has to find another spot. First seems logical, but he doesn't get mentioned there. If the can hit at all, they surely don't want him sitting behind both Bart and Endy. (And on Endy, if he can hit, do they want him acting as a backup catcher only? Seems a lot of potential stacked up at that one position.)

[JollyRoger8]

I also will wait to see more developments during Spring Training. But as of today; I can see the Pirates getting to 85 wins and a Wild Card spot. I base this on both internal and external considerations.
Externally within the division, I believe the Brewers and the Cardinals will be taking a few steps backwards. I even think the Cardinals are destined for last place in the Central this year. The Cubs will be the favorite to win the Central but I don’t think they will even get to 90 wins. The Pirates will battle the Reds for a possible wild card and will benefit by picking up more wins from the Cards and Brewers.

Internally, I am looking at Oviedo to have a dominating season, which will allow Chandler and Ashcroft to fine tune their arsenal before being called up. I am concerned that losing Chapman will impact the Bucs if Bednar does not rebound. Not resigning Chapman to me was one of the biggest off season gaffs.
I think Cruz will have a break out year if he stays healthy. Sky’s the limit for him. I am hopeful that both Davis and Endy will make the team and be solid performers. I think Hayes is toast; and Yorke will take over third or short from IKF. Need a full season from Skenes, and more consistency from Jones and Keller.

[Wildwoodcoach]

I also will wait to see more developments during Spring Training. But as of today; I can see the Pirates getting to 85 wins and a Wild Card spot. I base this on both internal and external considerations.
Externally within the division, I believe the Brewers and the Cardinals will be taking a few steps backwards. I even think the Cardinals are destined for last place in the Central this year. The Cubs will be the favorite to win the Central but I don’t think they will even get to 90 wins. The Pirates will battle the Reds for a possible wild card and will benefit by picking up more wins from the Cards and Brewers.

Internally, I am looking at Oviedo to have a dominating season, which will allow Chandler and Ashcroft to fine tune their arsenal before being called up. I am concerned that losing Chapman will impact the Bucs if Bednar does not rebound. Not resigning Chapman to me was one of the biggest off season gaffs.
I think Cruz will have a break out year if he stays healthy. Sky’s the limit for him. I am hopeful that both Davis and Endy will make the team and be solid performers. I think Hayes is toast; and Yorke will take over third or short from IKF. Need a full season from Skenes, and more consistency from Jones and Keller.

J R, I see you said that both Davis and Endy will be solid performers. Where do you see them playing position wise?

[JollyRoger8]

I also will wait to see more developments during Spring Training. But as of today; I can see the Pirates getting to 85 wins and a Wild Card spot. I base this on both internal and external considerations.
Externally within the division, I believe the Brewers and the Cardinals will be taking a few steps backwards. I even think the Cardinals are destined for last place in the Central this year. The Cubs will be the favorite to win the Central but I don’t think they will even get to 90 wins. The Pirates will battle the Reds for a possible wild card and will benefit by picking up more wins from the Cards and Brewers.

Internally, I am looking at Oviedo to have a dominating season, which will allow Chandler and Ashcroft to fine tune their arsenal before being called up. I am concerned that losing Chapman will impact the Bucs if Bednar does not rebound. Not resigning Chapman to me was one of the biggest off season gaffs.
I think Cruz will have a break out year if he stays healthy. Sky’s the limit for him. I am hopeful that both Davis and Endy will make the team and be solid performers. I think Hayes is toast; and Yorke will take over third or short from IKF. Need a full season from Skenes, and more consistency from Jones and Keller.

J R, I see you said that both Davis and Endy will be solid performers. Where do you see them playing position wise?

I’m thinking one of them backing up Bart and the other one getting some playing time at 1B

[bucs607179]

Listening to Jack Hillgrove on The Fan this morning, and he was discussing the Pirates upcoming season, and was saying with a full year of Paul Skenes the Bucs should at least get 4 more wins in 2025. Boy, I would hope he is right because we need a season that is competitive. In my mind the one thing they need to avoid are those long losing streaks. I think under Shelton the Pirates have had one every year he has managed. Eight and ten game losing streaks buries a team.
We have time to make our predictions, but as the team is now constructed it is going to be tough to predict a winning season. One big injury, and it could cripple the season.

But winning four more games, for a total of 80, is still failure. We as fans, and the Pirates as an organization, shouldn’t be okay with that. We shouldn’t have to be satisfied with below average performances from the management and the players year after year.

WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bucs607179]

78-84 / 730

[Wildwoodcoach]

Two years of 76 wins. With the pitching expected to be better
I am going with 81-81 with 706 runs.

[Osushawn]

85-77

790 Runs

[Carolina Bucco]

I'm afraid it's going to be ugly.

We've actually decided to enter a season without a legitimate 1B or RF. Unreal.

Our offense has question marks all over the place. And with the exception of Cruz, virtually no power.

As for pitching, Skenes is obviously a stud. But is Jones going to take the next step? Who knows. Is Keller really any better than a No. 4 starter on a good team? I'm not so sure. And you know there will be an injury or two. And at least one starter will dramatically underachieve.

Sadly, the Central looks weak but the Pirates have chosen to sit this season out and not take a run at it.

I'll go with 63-99.

[Bobster]

I'm afraid it's going to be ugly.

We've actually decided to enter a season without a legitimate 1B or RF. Unreal.

Our offense has question marks all over the place. And with the exception of Cruz, virtually no power.

As for pitching, Skenes is obviously a stud. But is Jones going to take the next step? Who knows. Is Keller really any better than a No. 4 starter on a good team? I'm not so sure. And you know there will be an injury or two. And at least one starter will dramatically underachieve.

Sadly, the Central looks weak but the Pirates have chosen to sit this season out and not take a run at it.

I'll go with 63-99.

What is your runs estimate. (Gotta be at least 63, right?)