With the Pirates falling short losing the NL wildcard games to Giants, they plan on making a big impression in the 2015 season.

During the off season the Pirates were busy making deals. They got Francisco Cervelli from the Yankees to take over at catcher for Russell Martin, Jung-Ho Kang, a power hitting middle infielder from the South Korean league and  starting pitcher AJ Burnett, who is back after one year with the Phillies.

The 2015 season opening against the Reds under with a loss but the Pirates looked solid with Andrew McCutchen hitting a homer, Josh Harrison hitting a double and Gregory Polanco hitting a single in the first inning off of the Reds ace Johnny Cueto.

The Pirates have an action pack first month of season facing some of the division power house the reds than the Tigers than the Brewers than the Cubs.

One of the keys for the pirates to having a successful season and to make it into the playoff is for their power house hitter Pedro Alvarez to get back to being an 100 RBI, 30 plus home run hitter after  a rough year in 2014.

Also, if Josh Harrison can maintain his production after his breakthrough season last year, hitting .315 with 13 homeruns and 52 RBIs, the Pirates could be a unstoppable at the plate.  And how can you forget how he stopped a lot of balls down the line and making the out instead of a double.

New backstop Francisco Cervelli is looking like a solid replacement for Russell Martin but the question mark with Francisco is if he can stay healthy through the season.

Starting pitcher Garret Cole is also looking to make a statement in the 2015 season.  If he pitches up to his name he will be unhittable.  Also returning is staff ace Francisco Liriano and clubhouse leader AJ Burnett.