by Sykes25 » Fri Sep 07, 2007 4:09 pm
My defense is solid. Despite a 3 in LF, 2B and C, the e ratings are low. OBP and scoring runs will never be an issue for my team. Guillen has a high e rating at SS, but I can live with one weak link. C, RF and 2B are the only spots that don't have 600+ PA, so my bench did not have to be deep. Loretta will be solid at 2B for late innings and if I need to swing Cano to DH for any reason. I have great team speed, can kill RHP in any park and have hitters who are not 100% BP dependent.
Starters are suspect at best; however, they will keep me in games. No issues holding runners as 3 of 5 are negative holds and 2 are 0. Keep it close until the 6th and I like my chances.
With a limited player pool, my pitching strategy of loading up extreme on SP, extreme the other way in the bullpen and coming at you with a closer fit to face your starters has worked in the past. I had to get lefty arms to negate the Hafner, Thome, Ortiz crew I will see all year. Middle RP is full of R2 guys who can shut down well with correct settings. Betancourt will see tons of innings with 4 lefty SP and is solid. Gregg will work his off days. Neschek and Wilson will see lefties in the 7th and 8th. McCarthy is the long man.
Ray is a great closer since most folks will start righty hitters against my lefty starters. If I am up in the 9th, it should be lights out.
I predict winning the division or making the WC with an 88-74 record. I will lose in the finals.