Repeating is never easy, but the Champions have gotten out of the gate quickly, going for their 12th World Series Championship, and their 3rd straight first place finish. It won’t be easy, despite their 23-7 record, this team has its work cut out for them. Last year’s World Series opposition retooled in the offseason, bringing in Adam Wainwright, Aaron Hill, Mariano Rivera, J.D. Drew, & J.A. Happ. That doesn’t mean the Champions are conceding anything to the Rising Bamm Beanos, or anyone else for that matter.
The Champions have retooled a little bit themselves, although the team’s core is still the same & pretty solid. Gone from last year’s championship squad are future HOF’er Greg Maddux, Postseason MVP Ryan Doumit, starting outfielder B.J. Upton, strike throwing reliever Matt Capps, hard hitting outfielder Matt Joyce, backup shortstop Bobby Crosby, and bullpen aces Joey Devine & Cory Wade. A new face in the rotation will be Jason Marquis, who attempts to do the impossible, replace Greg Maddux. Jeff Francoeur will see plenty of action. Hideki Okajima & his fellow Japanese countryman Daisuke Matsuzaka in the Champs bullpen. Daisuke provides some insurance, if Marquis should falter. There are four rookies on this year’s team. Power hitting infielder Gordon Beckham & hitting machine Alcides Escobar will be groomed as the DP combo of the future. Hardthrowing Ryan Perry & handlebar mustached Clay Zavada will provide bullpen depth.
Nick Swisher & Victor Martinez return to the starting lineup. They will be joined by Carlos Lee, Alex Rodriguez, Jimmy Rollins, Felipe Lopez, Justin Morneau, & Grady Sizemore. Miguel Olivo & Ian Stewart are slated to see alot more action off the bench. Pinch hitter deluxe, Jose Guillen, brings his magic wand.
Four fifths of the rotation returns, Tim Lincecum, Josh Beckett, Matt Cain, & Mark Buehrle are as good as they get. Brett Myers was brilliant as a long reliever last year, and returns to that role again this season. Jose Valverde moves from setup to closer, he’s done it before, he’ll do it again.
Newcomer Francoeur leads the club with a .348 batting average, 39 hits, 12 doubles, and is 2nd with 21 RBI’s behind Martinez, who leads with 23 knocked in. Victor has a .309 average, 10 doubles, and 20 runs scored. Lopez is hitting .339, leading with 21 runs. In limited action Sizemore leads with 7 homers, followed closely by part-timer Olivo with six. Marquis has been Maddux-like, 6-0, with a 2.38 ERA, 2 shutouts. Cain’s 1.10 ERA leads the way, three shutouts, and a 5-1 record. Lincecum is sporting a nifty 1.48 ERA and a 3-0 mark. Not to be out done, Beckett sports a 2-0 record, 2.84 ERA. Last, but not least, Buehrle is 4-2, two shutouts, and an impressive ERA of 3.24. Romo has yet to be scored on. Rookie flame thrower Perry has a 1.59 ERA. Closer Papa Grande Valverde already has six saves and an ERA of 1.80.