There is not much nice to say about the Pittsburgh Pirates outside of the quality of their ballpark, PNC Park. Beyond that, there are only one or two bright spots in the Pirates’ hopes for contending this season.

Offense

The brightest star in the Pirates’ offensive universe is center fielder Andrew McCutchen. Brought up in the middle of last year, the then-22-year-old hit 12 homeruns, drove in 54 runs, hit .286 and stole 22 bases in 108 games.

His speed is undeniable, and he has shown that his power game will develop. McCutchen will be the focal point of the Pirates offense, and will represent them at the All-Star game. Only time will tell if and when the Pirates will decide to trade him, just like every other good player that has played in Pittsburgh since Barry Bonds left.

Beyond McCutchen, there is not much else to look forward to when it comes to Pittsburgh’s offense. Only one Pirate (Andy LaRoche) starting in 2010 drove in 50 or more runs last season, which is a stat that is boggling my mind even as I write it.

Garrett Jones represents the second-best bat in the Pirates’ lineup. The right fielder blasted 22 homeruns last year, but because of a lack of run support, only totaled 44 RBIs. On top of his power, Jones also hit .293 while stealing 10 bases.

If there is any hope in Pittsburgh, he will most certainly play a part.

Akinori Iwamura, the Pirates’ second baseman, is looking to bounce back to his World Series form after missing most of the 2009 season.

At first base, Jeff Clement will battle it out during Spring Training to see if he will hold onto his position, and third baseman Andy LaRoche, the 26-year-old veteran on the team, is looking to improve on the 64 RBIs he hit last season.

Ryan Doumit will start behind the plate, Ronny Cedeno at shortstop, and Lastings Milledge, starting in left field, will get his last chance to prove that he can live up to the lofty expectations placed on him when he started his career four years ago.

Pitching

Zach Duke will take the mound as the Pirates’ strongest pitcher come opening day.

He managed to win 11 games last year, but still finished the season with 16 losses and a plus-four ERA. He will have to anchor this rotation if the Pirates want to make any noise this season.

Behind Duke in the rotation will be Paul Maholm, a 27-year-old who won eight games last year. Maholm threw 119 strikeouts last season but, like Duke, had an ERA well above four (4.44).

He will need to reduce the runs scored on him if he is to take strides this year on the mound.

Ross Ohlendorf, the only Pirate starting pitcher to post a winning record (11-10) and a sub-four ERA (3.92), will be looking to move up the rotation if either Duke or Maholm waivers. He represents the most consistent of the Pirates’ starting pitchers.

Charlie Morton and Kevin Hart, who came over from the Cubs last season, will fill the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation.

The Pirates’ rotation is very unique in the fact that while no one pitcher is particularly great or different from the others, all five are either 26 or 27. There are no young arms looking to prove themselves, and there is no one to carry the load of the staff’s mediocrity.

Prediction

Pittsburgh’s finish for the 2010 season is the easiest prediction to make of all the teams in the majors, including the Yankees.

The Pirates will finish the season dead last, just as they have continued to do for so long. No team has done a better job at giving away what little talent they have and in an aggressive fashion.

The beauty that is PNC Park will once again be the best part of the Pirates this season, but somehow, though it seems impossible, the players will end up making it look bad.mich