Pirates Projections 2023: MLB Experts Forecast This Season's Record

PITTSBURGH, PA — As the 2023 baseball season gets underway, sports websites are predicting the Pirates will be slightly less stinky than they have been over the past several seasons.

But don't start saving for those World Series tickets just yet.

Most sites are predicting modest improvement for the Bucs, who posted a dreadful 19-41 record during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season followed by a 61-101 showing in 2021 and 62-100 last year. The past two seasons were the first time since the 1950s that the Pirates endured back-to-back 100-loss seasons.

Here are some forecasts for how the Pirates will fare in 2023, beginning with Thursday's opener against the Cincinnati Reds:

ESPN: Projected record is 71-91, with a fourth-place finish in the NL Central. "The season will be a success if Oneil Cruz highlight videos are hotter than the Carolina Reaper. Roansy Contreras makes 32 starts and finishes with an ERA under 3.50. Endy Rodriguez finishes the year in Pittsburgh and Bryan Reynolds signs a long-term extension to remain with the Pirates," ESPN's preview stated.

Sporting News: Pirates and Cincinnati Reds will tie for last place with 79-83 records, with the Bucs having a 2.6 percent chance of winning the N.L. Central. "That young core should continue to make Pittsburgh an enjoyable team to watch in 2023, even if the record might still be a bit grim at the end of the year," the Sporting News opined.

USA Today: Pirates and Reds will tie for last place with 64-98 records. "Shortstop Oneil Cruz was 6 years old when Rich Hill made his big league debut. Now 43, Hill finds himself in the middle of another odd Pirates stew of recycled veterans and hope-he’s-a-keeper types," USA Today stated.

CBS Sports: Projected record is 68-94, fourth place finish in the N.L. Central.

Doc's Sports Service: Projected record is 68-94. "Pirates fans have a lot to be excited about heading into the 2023 season. After finishing last season with the 3rd worst record in MLB, it’s safe to say this year’s team will look to be standing higher in the National League standings come fall," Doc stated.