No. 13 Yankees | No. 12 Nationals | Nos. 20-11
No. 11: PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Last Season: 98-64
Projected record: 85-77 (third in NL Central)
BBTN video preview: NL Central | Betting guide
Over the past three seasons, only one team (the St. Louis Cardinals) has won more regular-season games than the 280 the Pirates have won. The bad news: All that winning has led to three straight trips to the National League wild-card game and no postseason runs that lasted beyond the NL Division Series. But those October misfortunes shouldn't obscure the big picture. The Pirates have made themselves one of the best -- and best-run -- franchises in the game, with a deep, talented roster and some of the best prospects in baseball ready to make an impact as soon as this summer.
A rise in production from players developed in their farm system has played a big role in the Pirates' assent up the standings, highlighted by the homegrown outfield trio of Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco. -- ESPN.com (graphic from Dan Szymborski)
Start with possibly the best outfield in baseball, in which center fielder Andrew McCutchen is already a star, left fielder Starling Marte is on the verge of stardom and right fielder Gregory Polanco might have more pure talent than either of them. Add in the best bullpen in the NL, fast-rising No. 1 starter Gerrit Cole, upgraded infield defense (with the exit of first baseman Pedro Alvarez and his 23 errors) and a deep lineup that led the league in OBP in the second half, and this is one dangerous team.
Potentially, this could be an excellent starting rotation, especially if one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, RHP Tyler Glasnow, arrives midseason. But beyond Cole and Francisco Liriano, free-agent signee Ryan Vogelsong is 38 and had a 5.72 ERA after the All-Star break, former Mets LHP Jon Niese had a 5.21 ERA in August and September, and LHP Jeff Locke has a 17-22 record with a 4.54 ERA since making the All-Star team in 2013. So once again, pitching coach Ray Searage needs to work his magic.
No. 12 Nationals | No. 13 Yankees | Nos. 20-11
