Where have you gone, Andy Van Slyke?

I honestly think the Pirates have no chance to contend or even finish .500 this year, but the truth is that there must be some sequence of events, no matter how improbable, that can take place that would bring home an NL Central pennant for the Bucs in 2008. It's probably just because I've watched too much LOST lately, but I'm going to write a series of flash-forwards dealing with the one alternate dimension in a million in which the Pirates win the NL Central in 2008. Someone hit the gas on the infinite improbability drive ... I had hoped to finish this before the season, but let's knock the rest of it out of the park tonight. We're only taking this to the end of the regular season. You can use your imagination from there if you like. Anyways, the Bucs finished up July at 59-48, tied with the Brewers and two games ahead of the Cubs. If you've missed the earlier editions and are just starting now, check out April , May , June and July . August 3rd- The Pirates ...

I honestly think the Pirates have no chance to contend or even finish .500 this year, but the truth is that there must be some sequence of events, no matter how improbable, that can take place that would bring home an NL Central pennant for the Bucs in 2008. It's probably just because I've watched too much LOST lately, but I'm going to write a series of flash-forwards dealing with the one alternate dimension in a million in which the Pirates win the NL Central in 2008. Someone hit the gas on the infinite improbability drive ... Holy cow, I wanted to be done with these by the opener. Time to hit the gas. On July 1st, at the halfway point of the season, the Pirates are 41-40. If you've missed the earlier editions and are just starting now, check out April , May , and June . July 6th- Prince Fielder hits three homers off of Matt Morris, the third of which lands in the Allegheny may have punched a hole in the far wall of Miller Park's roof. The Brewers beat the Pirates...

I honestly think the Pirates have no chance to contend or even finish .500 this year, but the truth is that there must be some sequence of events, no matter how improbable, that can take place that would bring home an NL Central pennant for the Bucs in 2008. It's probably just because I've watched too much LOST lately, but I'm going to write a series of flash-forwards dealing with the one alternate dimension in a million in which the Pirates win the NL Central in 2008. Someone hit the gas on the infinite improbability drive ... After a scorching 17-10 May (which followed a 13-14 April ), the Pirates find themselves at 30-24, a mere game behind the first place Cubs. On to June ... June 6th- Brandon Webb no-hits the Pirates, giving them their second loss in a row and dropping them to 33-27 and giving the D'Backs a scorching 39-21 record. WHYGAVS: You know, it was bound to happen. The Pirates have lost an unfathomable number of games in the past 15 seasons, mostly with em...

Quick debriefing: I'm honestly kind of bored by the way I kicked off my last season preview, what with the mostly already answered questions and the like. I'll still hit the big questions before the season starts, but I really feel like doing something different. I honestly think the Pirates have no chance to contend or even finish .500 this year, but the truth is that there must be some sequence of events, no matter how improbable, that can take place that would bring home an NL Central pennant for the Bucs in 2008. It's probably just because I've watched too much LOST lately, but I'm going to write a series of flash-forwards dealing with the one alternate dimension in a million in which the Pirates win the NL Central in 2008. Someone hit the gas on the infinite improbability drive ... Remember, the Buccos finished April 13-14, 4 games behind the division leading Cubs. May 1st- The Bucs end their six game slide by winning their first game in the Nationals' new...

Quick debriefing: I'm honestly kind of bored by the way I kicked off my last season preview, what with the mostly already answered questions and the like. I'll still hit the big questions before the season starts, but I really feel like doing something different. I honestly think the Pirates have no chance to contend or even finish .500 this year, but the truth is that there must be some sequence of events, no matter how improbable, that can take place that would bring home an NL Central pennant for the Bucs in 2008. It's probably just because I've watched too much LOST lately, but I'm going to write a series of flash-forwards dealing with the one alternate dimension in a million in which the Pirates win the NL Central in 2008. Someone hit the gas on the infinite improbability drive ... March 31st- The Pirates take the field in Atlanta with this lineup: McLouth, CF Sanchez, 2B Bay, LF LaRoche, 1B Nady, RF Doumit, C Bautista, 3B Wilson, SS Gorzelanny, SP LaRoche deli...