Pirates @ Cubs : 4.1.11 - 4.3.11

Series: Pirates @ Cubs, Wrigley Field, Chicago, Ill

TV, radio: FSN Pittsburgh, WPGB-FM (104.7).

Facts: The Pirates enter the 2011 season with many of the same players that helped them to a record of 57-105 a year ago.  New starters Lyle Overbay, Matt Diaz and opening day pitcher Kevin Correia look to help stop the consecutive losing seasons streak at 18.  This will mark the 5th time in 6 years that the Pirates will begin the season on the road and the 1st time since 1985 that the Pirates will start the season against the Cubs.

Side note: For you gamblers out there, Vegas lists the Pirates O/U for wins at 67.5.  For another year I will be taking the over in two separate wagers.  Both I have yet to win.  Maybe this is the year. 

Pitching Probables:

Friday, April 1 - Kevin Correia (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Ryan Dempster (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Saturday, April 2 - Paul Maholm (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Carlos Zambrano (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Sunday, April 3 - Ross Ohlendorf (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Matt Garza (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Stats and Matchup: The Pirates pitching staff looks to make an early statement against a healthy and in some cases rebuilt Cub lineup.  The addition of Carlos Pena to the middle of the lineup should prove to be exactly what guys like Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez need to once again be productive.  The Pirates pitchers need to be wary of the long ball against Soriano, Ramirez and Pena with the wind most likely gusting at Wrigley.  For the Pirates, the young Bucs look to get off to a hot start against three good RHP, the last two being power arms in Zambrano and Garza.  The new look lineup should provide a good balance of speed and average which will be the teams recipe for success unless Pedro Alvarez goes crazy and hits 35 home runs.  Garrett Jones should start all three games against the Cubs unless he struggles since all three are RHP.  Lastly, Andrew McCutchen is a career .337 hitter against the Cubs with 13 RBI in 25 career games.  Hopefully that trend will continue with McCutchen now battling in the three hole.

By the way, I will give you a few predictions for the season sometime this weekend.  I know I am a little slow, but you'll get over it.

The Beginning of Something Special...

Ladies and Gentlemen...well mostly gentlemen unless of course my wife decides to read, I welcome you to the newest Pittsburgh Pirates blog, "Jose Guillen and the Freak Show."  The name of the blog gives insight into just how business as usual around here will run.  Mostly the content of the blog will be series previews and recaps as the Bucs play through the season.  Also, there will be the occasional post about random team happenings, the minor league affiliates or even just observations from around Major League Baseball.  In addition, there will also be a regular look back at the team that inspired the name of the blog, the 1997 Pittsburgh Pirates.  These Pirates were the last Pittsburgh Baseball Club team to be competitive throughout the season and hopefully a look back will inspire the 2011 edition of the Buccos to conjure up some of that magic and rise to some sense of mediocrity.  One can only hope.  In advance of your readership I thank you for spending the time to keep up with me and the Pirates throughout the season and while you're here go and check out my buddy Cameron's blog about the Phillies, High Hopes.  I may despise the Phillies, but Cameron's the man and if I will be reading, you should too.  So without further adieu, Let's Go Bucs.