I don't think I've ever been less excited going into a spring than this year with the few changes the Rox made, but things are starting to fall into place a little. First and foremost, if this lineup stays healthy this team will compete with the best because the lineup absolutely rakes and we have far and away the best infield in baseball.
Of course it's fair to assume that injuries will eat us up again, but if you're building a team on paper, it's hard to expect a better offense and defense. The pitching has always been, and is the other Achilles heel next to durability. Tulo is always a toss up, we'll see there. But cargo has me
Excited. Last year he was a Twinkie eating twinkies. Literally fat. Insert Jim Rome's "FAT!" He looks slim and sleek this year and I think this will be his comeback year.
I'm still terrified by our bullpen, but I'm excited about what could happen with Jairo Diaz if he develops into a strike thrower. He has dominated in his appearances when he has command. Two things that give me real optimism though, maybe 3: the release of Chacin who has been an automatic loss for over a year now, not to mention a deadleg knee to our bullpen just made my Spring. It shows me that the new GM isn't going to keep old friends around. With that, the emergence of John Gray. Not much needs to be said there. It's time to get our best prospect going with our second best prospect nipping at the heels of anyone who doesn't produce.
Number 3: I love the fact that our pitching strategy is to throw hard and to offset that with a changeup. Why in the hell did it take the organization so long to realize that power and deception were two things that altitude doesn't affect? Speed control makes everything better and reduces hard contact.
Also, I know there's some concern about Kendrick starting the opener, but I don't mind it at all. We're basically sloughing our shitty card and putting our strength against other's weaknesses. It sucks that we have to play that way, but I really think Lyles could with 17 games in addition to the 15 + that De La Rosa wins. Matzek should be good for 10 if he finds his form, and who knows what Gray will do. But this rotation reminds me of 2007. Kendrick is the new Josh Fogg. Let's just hope he gives us a chance.
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Of course it's fair to assume that injuries will eat us up again, but if you're building a team on paper, it's hard to expect a better offense and defense. The pitching has always been, and is the other Achilles heel next to durability. Tulo is always a toss up, we'll see there. But cargo has me
Excited. Last year he was a Twinkie eating twinkies. Literally fat. Insert Jim Rome's "FAT!" He looks slim and sleek this year and I think this will be his comeback year.
I'm still terrified by our bullpen, but I'm excited about what could happen with Jairo Diaz if he develops into a strike thrower. He has dominated in his appearances when he has command. Two things that give me real optimism though, maybe 3: the release of Chacin who has been an automatic loss for over a year now, not to mention a deadleg knee to our bullpen just made my Spring. It shows me that the new GM isn't going to keep old friends around. With that, the emergence of John Gray. Not much needs to be said there. It's time to get our best prospect going with our second best prospect nipping at the heels of anyone who doesn't produce.
Number 3: I love the fact that our pitching strategy is to throw hard and to offset that with a changeup. Why in the hell did it take the organization so long to realize that power and deception were two things that altitude doesn't affect? Speed control makes everything better and reduces hard contact.
Also, I know there's some concern about Kendrick starting the opener, but I don't mind it at all. We're basically sloughing our shitty card and putting our strength against other's weaknesses. It sucks that we have to play that way, but I really think Lyles could with 17 games in addition to the 15 + that De La Rosa wins. Matzek should be good for 10 if he finds his form, and who knows what Gray will do. But this rotation reminds me of 2007. Kendrick is the new Josh Fogg. Let's just hope he gives us a chance.
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