Indeed, the betting public long ago gave up on the Pirates. And Pittsburgh is getting no love in the 2024 baseball betting odds futures market. Even in the mediocre National League Central, Pittsburgh can’t or perhaps won’t try to take advantage. The Pittsburgh Pirates last made the playoffs in 2015. And that streak of futility is expected to continue in 2024. Specifically, the Pirates refuse to spend money on players and are near the bottom of the MLB payroll. The offseason furthered Pittsburgh’s problems in 2024.
2024 Pittsburgh Pirates
| Pittsburgh Pirates World Series Championship | Odds |
|---|---|
| 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates World Series Championship Odds: | +7500 |
2024 Pittsburgh Pirates Manager
Since 2020, Derek Shelton has been the manager of the Pirates. His career online wagering record is 218-328.
2024 Pittsburgh Pirates Key Players
RHP Mitch Keller is the number one starter of the Pirates. Last year, Keller was 13-9 with a 1.25 WHIP and 4.21 ERA.
In sum, LF Bryan Reynolds produced 85 runs, 31 doubles, 24 home runs, and 84 RBI with a .263 average and .790 OPS.
2024 Pittsburgh Pirates Offseason Moves
Key offseason acquisitions: LHP Marco Gonzales, LHP Martín Pérez, LHP Aroldis Chapman, 1B/DH Rowdy Tellez
Key offseason departures: RHP Vince Velasquez, LHP Jarlín García, LHP Angel Perdomo, INF Miguel Andujar
The Pirates sought pitching depth. Especially in the MLB odds rotation. Hence, they found it by acquiring Gonzales and Pérez. Also, Pittsburgh lengthened its high-leverage options in the bullpen with Chapman’s one-year deal. Still, they are looking at last-minute options in this department. And it’s possible they could add another outfielder as well.
The biggest concern is whether the starting rotation they have constructed is deep enough to compete for the division title. Chapman lengthens the bullpen so that starters may not be asked to preserve leads beyond the fifth, but the No. 4 and No. 5 starting spots are open competitions unless the club can find a good fit still on the market.
Namely, Andrew McCutchen is back for a second potential farewell season. And there are several young bats with the upside to having breakthrough years. However, trading for Rowdy Tellez is the biggest addition to a lineup that scored the NL’s third-fewest runs last season.
Overall, Pittsburgh’s payroll sits at just $79 million, a small bump from last season’s $70 million. That is lower than every other MLB team except the lowly Oakland A’s. Thus, it is hard for gamblers to give better than a water-treading off-season grade. After going from 62 wins in 2022 to 76 wins in 2023, the front office hasn’t put the Pirates in position for another sizable jump. Pittsburgh ranks 29th for MLB payroll.
2024 Pittsburgh Pirates Recap
In sum, the 2023 Pittsburgh Pirates had a record of 76-86 and finished 4th in the National League Central Division. Offensively 22nd ranked 24th for runs scored, 24th for batting average, 22nd for OPS, 28th for home runs, and 15th for stolen bases. While, defensively, Pittsburgh ranked 22nd for earned run average, 22nd for WHIP, 21st for strikeouts, 16th for quality starts, 21st for fewest errors, and 19th for bullpen ERA. Pittsburgh was +1287 on the money line and _386 on the run line.
Last season, the Pirates were surprisingly one of the most profitable teams on the board despite their losing record. The profits were a case of Pittsburgh getting favorable prices because of their lack of public appeal. Correlate that combined with their improved play and 14 games more in the win column from 2022.