Happy Easter... I mean Opening Day-Eve

Finally.  The most mind numbingly boring thing in sports, MLB Spring Training, is over.  The team is finally at PNC Park, preparing for Opening Day against the Chicago Cubs tomorrow.  After an entire month of speculation of what will happen this season, in particular the 20 year old question of "Will the Bucs make .500?".  Well, after a month of thinking, one thing has become clear: Nothing is certain, there are too many variables.

So, on this Opening Day-Eve, I'm taking one last stab at a preview to the 2013 season.

Four players you can expect big things from in 2013

Andrew McCutchen, CF-- This one is so obvious, I considered not even writing it.  Last year, Cutch established himself as a true superpower in the MLB.  He had a bit of a drop-off in the final 1/3 of the season, which coincided with the team's collapse.  He is hungry to put up big numbers the whole way through, and more importantly, he is hungry to carry this team into the playoffs.

Starling Marte, RF-- Marte was called up from the minors in late July of 2012.  He famously crushed a home run on his first pitch of his first at-bat, which happened to be the first pitch of the game.  A big statement indeed.  The next 2.5 months were so-so for Marte.  He didn't meet the unfair expectations that come with such a statement, however he wasn't all that bad.  He is very young, and has lots of potential.  Look for him to try to establish himself as a quality MLB hitter in 2013.

Clint Barmes-- In this case, you need to thing of "big things" in a relative way.  Barmes was terrible for most of 2012.  He showed signs of life in parts of August and September, but that was it.  I see him making a comeback this year, posting something like a .250-.260 batting average.

Wandy Rodriguez-- Wandy was acquired by the Bucs at last year's trade deadline.  As a starting pitcher, he turned in solid outings in nearly every start.  He had been doing that for a long time with Houston, but couldn't be seen behind all that failure by the Astros.

Two players NOT to expect big things from in 2013

Neil Walker-- Walker entered the Big Leagues in 2010.  He has been a fairly good player his whole career.  Last year he hit very few home runs and showed very little power.  Also, he was injured for most of August and September.  This is just one person's opinion, but I don't thing Walker will have a good 2013.

Jeff Locke-- Jeff was called up from the minors in August of 2012, and never really put together an impressive performance.  While he is young with good potential, I see him having a poor start to 2013 and being replaced by a healed Jeff Karstens or Charlie Morton.

Final prediction for 2013

Record: 88-74

Wild Card appearance