Pittsburgh Pirates

During their respective 2010 tenures with the Pittsburgh Pirates (as of today), James McDonald has pitched 41 innings while Octavio Dotel has thrown 40. In other regards, they are strikingly similar.

They've both faced 173 batters. They've both given up 19 earned runs. They've both walked 19 batters (counting intentional passes). And their ERAs are also very close: 4.17 for McDonald versus 4.28 for Dotel. 

So are they about the same value, or is one decidely more valuable than the other?

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been a cellar-dwelling team for as long as most fans remember. But often, in September, they have their moment of glory by taking three games from a division leading team in PNC Park.

This is what may be happening now, against the Atlanta Braves. A win tonight would result in a sweep. Even a loss would not change the fact that the Pirates have already clinched the three game series.

If you've been paying attention lately, the Cincinnati Reds called up left-handed phenom Aroldis Chapman and his 103 mph fastball this week.

That's right, I said 103 mph. He was actually clocked at 105 mph during a minor league game a week ago. Now, I have no problem with Chapman or the fact that he's wearing a Cincinnati Reds uniform. What I have a big problem with is why he's not wearing a Pirates uniform instead.

The Pittsburgh Pirates did win the season series against the Chicago Cubs, but the final series, in Wrigley Field, left a bad taste in the mouth, losing two out of three on the road.

Actually, the Chicago Cubs are one of two teams that the Bucs have beaten (5-4) on the road this season. The other one is the Colorado Rockies (2-1). (Although they barely managed a 2-2 tie in PNC Park.)

In the midst of another miserable season for the Pittsburgh Pirates, it's often tough to find real bright spots to talk about, but the Pirates have one in outfielder Jose Tabata.

Neil Walker gets the press, being the hometown kid, and he's deserved it. Walker is having a tremendous rookie campaign and has cemented himself as part of the future core of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Pittsburgh Pirates won only five games in the season series against Milwaukee in 2010. That's the same as in 2009, and either result is better than the sole win in 2008.

But this year, the Pirates showed signs of building a base for better success against the Brewers in the future.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have not had a winning season since 1992. That's nearly twenty years. 

The Pittsburgh Pirates will not have a winning record this season.

And water is still wet. The sun still rises from the east. Telemarketers still call at the dinner hour. Wile E. Coyote still hasn’t caught the Road Runner.

You know how whenever you watch a boxing match, no matter how little-known the fighters are, they always have winning records? This defies logic, because somewhere out there must be a fighter with a record of like 5-45. A tomato can with gloves.

For most teams, the 2010 MLB season is pretty much done. But don't fret. Here are some teams that will make a big impact in 2011.

Pittsburgh Pirates:

This one might be a little tricky, as "bouncing back" for them is maybe getting to .500 baseball.

However, Pittsburgh has a nice little youth movement going currently. Andre McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez, Jose Tabata, and Lastings Milledge.

The Pittsburgh Pirates will do some tinkering to the starting rotation this week.  Jeff Karstens is being shelved for the time being with a tired arm.  Daniel McCutchen will assume Karstens spot in the rotation tonight against the Cardinals.

They will also need a starter for Sunday, as Ross Ohlendorf won't be taking his scheduled start.  The guy to keep an eye on is Charlie Morton.  Morton needs this opportunity.  Pirates fans need it as well.