Our 2008 Prognosticator, Rabbit Ray Miller, has turned his attention to the National League, starting in the east. A round of applause is in order for the outstanding AL set.
The January 10, 1918 Sporting News provided a statement from Christy Mathewson, pitcher for the 2007 and 2008 Rubble. When he was a manager, Mathewson ordered various members of his squad to have their tonsils removed before reporting to camp in the spring. He felt this would alleviate many of the problems the team had the previous season. If only Pettitte and Clemens (member of the 2008 Rubble) were around…they could have explained the merits of HGH.
What could work: Manny will be Manny. He will knock in runs at a league leading pace. Ron Santo will finish what Manny starts. Richie Ashburn, Charlie Gehringer, Joe Cronin and Paul Waner will bring HOF credentials and a great OB% to the field. Behind the plate Fisk and Posada will handle the staff and will hit well with this squad. The true strength of this team, however, is the pitching. Clemens, Matthewson, Pettitte and Max Lanier will be joined by Dolf Luque. Dolf Luque? The Pride of Havana. 27-8 with a 1.93 ERA in 1923…best in the 1920s. An equally good deal could be the closer, Troy Percival. A strong corps of middle relievers will help this squad. So should the vastness of Comerica Park…you could land a 747 in the outfield.
What could fail: The dimensions of the park could hurt the power hitters like Manny, Santo, and Norm Cash. The team moved the fences in, but it is still vast. But then again, this will affect the visiting teams just as much. Compared to the others in the division and league, this team just doesn’t look like it will score a lot of runs.
Result: 80-82.
1 comment:
Why is it that I always have to defend my team's offensive prowess to Rabbit Ray? Like last year, The Rubble lineup consists of interlocking pieces that, together, equals more than the sum of its parts. It's a true team - not a Yankee lineup with big names and bigger price tags. After 16 games the lineup is looking just fine and it hasn't even had a chance to play in its home field for which it is designed (16 straight road games is a pretty rough way to begin a season, isn't it?). While I realize that the level of the competition in the East is high, I feel as if The Rubble have been slighted by the prognosticators once again - I see playoffs in their future for a second straight year.
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