Cannon Firing Line
We Have Met the Enemy and They Are Us
By Ellis G. Cannon
PSR Publisher

As this issue of PSR was going to press, the Pittsburgh Pirates were in the process of finding out where their season was going courtesy of a lengthy stretch against teams in the National League Central Division.

Sort of.

Actually, the Pittsburgh Pirates were in the process of finding out where their season was going as this issue of PSR was about to print because they were in a meaningful stretch of games against a much more formidable foe - themselves.

Let's face it. Until the Pirates snap this streak from unholy places, that's going to be the case. But it's particularly so in light of how this season has unfolded through two months.

The Pirates opened the season with the traditional amount of enthusiasm annually shared with other league members. That may sound like no great accomplishment and, indeed, it's not worthy of a parade, even if the Pirates were a handful of games better after 50 games this season compared to last. But the change has to begin somewhere, and through May many players have suggested whatever success they are having is rooted in the off-season and Florida.

Digging below the surface, the question about the early season Pirates has more to do with whether they are actually a fundamentally flawed team doomed to repeat history or actually much better than given credit for.

Hundreds of teams go through that analysis all the time. But the Pirates are a strange case if for no other reason than they have kept competitive despite being near the bottom in enough statistical categories to make you wonder if what you see in those standings is actually true.

When a team gives up as many runs as the Pirates, or has their team ERA or defensive statistics, you would not expect to see a team near .500.

One may conclude they are meaningless; that would be dangerous as the numbers don't lie and will ultimately tell the story if not improved. One may be better served concluding the Pirates have done it with a lot of smoke and mirrors, particularly considering key injuries and sub-par performances. That would be the crowd that which considers the Pirates fortunate, and you shouldn't feel ashamed if you find yourself among it.

All of which opens the door to those questions about what Neal Huntington should do if his team continues to overcome itself. The answer is simple - hope that the "problem" continues. Hope the Pirates get that outfield play, that bullpen success. Hope as much as you can they outperform expectations. More than anything, that's what Huntington needs because only then will he have assets meaningful enough to be coveted-at a rate he needs-to have the Pirates challenging the rest of the league.

And not just themselves.

"Ellis Cannon's Sportsline Pittsburgh" airs weeknights from 6-8 p.m. on FM Newstalk 104.7. Ellis is also a regular contributor on "#1 Cochran Sports Showdown" aired Sundays at 11:35 p.m. on KDKA-TV.