One-time MVP candidate fading fast

The Bucs are fading again this season, but are on the right track of being a 500 or better ball team soon. McCutchen chances of winning the MVP were slim anyway if the Bucs don't make the playoffs.

Melky Cabrera should not be able to win a batting title this season after being suspended for using a performance enhancing drug.

They couldn't have picked a worse time to go into a team batting slump.

in a way the pirates aren't to convenced about their goals towards the title shot,,,McCUTCHEN it seems as the roids effect its vanishing to quick and it appears to show he's lack of stamina in this month,,,

the pirates player shouldn't feel so bad, mike trout himself its feeling the heat and pressure from all over the angles,,,,

the pirates player shouldn't feel so bad, mike trout himself its feeling the heat and pressure from all over the angles,,,,

had a guy rambling all season how cutch was MVP lock.....you need to be on a tear through august heading into the labor day weekend where ball games will be in prime time....then seal the deal w/ an consistent september when your team is hitting the home stretch into the playoffs.

doesn't look like cutch or the pirates will be doing either.

Wow, it's August and Bedard isn't on the DL. Pretty amazing

cutch hasnt been the same since homerun derby. pulling off on everthing , when going good he was hitting balls hard to right center and right

cutch went down hill after homerun derby. pulling off on too many pitches. when he hit good everything was left center right center

The Pirates August swooon is quickly turning the season from a playoff hunt into a hold on to stay above .500 hunt.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 11:22 AM ET  08.27 by alacran

in a way the pirates aren't to convenced about their goals towards the title shot,,,McCUTCHEN it seems as the roids effect its vanishing to quick and it appears to show he's lack of stamina in this month,,,

Wrong McCutchen!

That was Daniel not Andrew who got suspened fpr PED.

*for

I would like to see the MLB actually take a stand about HGH and PEDS I am beggining to lean towards 0 tollarence. You test positive your gonefor good, you give up where you got em then your only on a 5 year suspension.

It's not quite to the point of "holding on" to staying above .500, they're still 9 games over .500 and have 13 of their final 35 against the Cubs and the Astros. They only have to play .400 baseball to finish 82-80 which is only slightly better than the .375 winning percentage they've posted in a terrible August during which they've had a much harder schedule than they have the rest of the way.

While it is disappointing to see them stumble to the finish line, their realistic timeline for being a playoff contender is still 2 years away and they've shown tremendous improvement in just the past 2 seasons. If they improve as much over the next 2 seasons as they have the last 2 then you're looking at the 2014 NL Central champs.

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 01:27 PM ET  08.27 by DiamondDuq

It's not quite to the point of "holding on" to staying above .500, they're still 9 games over .500 and have 13 of their final 35 against the Cubs and the Astros. They only have to play .400 baseball to finish 82-80 which is only slightly better than the .375 winning percentage they've posted in a terrible August during which they've had a much harder schedule than they have the rest of the way. While it is disappointing to see them stumble to the finish line, their realistic timeline for being a playoff contender is still 2 years away and they've shown tremendous improvement in just the past 2 seasons. If they improve as much over the next 2 seasons as they have the last 2 then you're looking at the 2014 NL Central champs.

Well said.

why are we pirates always 2 years away or 3 years away? mangement should spend the millions there making at the gate for quality players . not the bedards or correias, barajas barmes. need to make good decisios to help the walkers , cutch, marte, jones, burnett. they need to quit signing players for 1 year fixes. look at trade deadline, wandy, gaby and qualls , they done nothing to help. only good move was marte promotion and he might be a year away

QUOTE(#18):

Originally posted 02:01 PM ET  08.27 by baseballthebest

why are we pirates always 2 years away or 3 years away? mangement should spend the millions there making at the gate for quality players . not the bedards or correias, barajas barmes. need to make good decisios to help the walkers , cutch, marte, jones, burnett. they need to quit signing players for 1 year fixes. look at trade deadline, wandy, gaby and qualls , they done nothing to help. only good move was marte promotion and he might be a year away

Know the feeling.

Signed,

A Jays Fan

wiseup: Its apparent as A. McCuthen goes so goes the Pirates. Most managers will tell you one player cannot carry the team. Since The All-Star game M cCuthen has dropped from .373 To present .343 The Pirates have lost 7 games in thestanding. Some Writers predicted the Reds Would al;so fall in standings without Votto in the lineup. However to the reds credit other teammates have stepped up and held together. It seemed like every night it was somebody different getting the clutch hit or having a big game.