FinleyLover said:
I voted for the 80-89 category. IMO, closer to 80 than 90.
I hope they prove my 75 win predicition wrong, however, I just cant overly excited with 2 retreads having prominent roles in the BP (Muholland and Grimsley), the lack of proven power in the middle of the order (G&G are still both on the decline), and a rotation consisting of only one bonafide starter with two who have been regulated to mostly BP duties over the past couple of seasons, one that just gave a small-sample size of what he can do, and the other.. well.. let's say Ortiz is pretty much Dessens II at this time.....
I did notice some positives though... Eric Byrnes is on a mission to prove himself this year since he knows he's a "rent-a-player" stopgap and wants to send a message that he's worth signing a lucractive long-term contract elsewhere... and then Luis Vizcaino 2-innings of shut-out, no-hit, no-walk relief was brilliant... he was more than just a throw-in player in the Vazquez trade, he's been a successful middle-reliever throughout his career and will provide the much needed rubber-arm they've been seeking for years.. definitely a major improvement from Ligtenberg, Herges, etc.. I know anything is.. but he's the real deal.. not someone also who is a younger reliever being tossed into a role of pitching a regular basis and ruining his arm ala Villarreal.....
But again... what affected them.. 11 hits, however, only 2-runs as a result.. lack of executing the small-ball.. they actually do have the talent assembled to do so, but... again.. hate to bring this up as constantly as I am.. they just wont win w/Melvin at the helm.....
