Ok, finally finishing out the rotation. Thinking of doing a couple of teams a week for something new this season. I think the Week in Review may have been getting stale for me and I just needing some new material to write about.
Utica Tried and Tested: This is not a typical Uticans team. Compared to teams of the past, this is Utica's best overall staff. Lots of ERA's in the 2's and lots of K's. Ogando looks like the real deal in Texas. This is not a team to sleep on. Good pen also with Papelbon and Rodriguez. If Thornton can regain his form as he seems to be doing, then Uticans will be tough to beat in pitching. One looks at the offense and it really looks pretty good as well and for the most part it is decent, but there are some holes. The loss of Mauer has definitely hurt. That's the risk one takes when grabbing a catcher so early. Who would have thought Berkman would be tearing things up at 35 years of age like he is. I thought he was damaged goods honestly, but not Kerm! Great production there and from Hunter Pence (a Kerm favorite!). Also, I can't forget Adam Jones who is steady but not spectacular in his overall numbers. There is production for Cargo, but not like last year and he has to be a disappointment so far as is Justin Morneau. The team will get plenty of hits and hit for good average, but lacks pop and speed. Kerm should stay in the race with this current team, but it will be a struggle and may just be on periphereal fringe all the time. Some holes will not allow for consistency each week.
Fear the Beard: I really like Timmy's name on this one and will stick with it. Very original! FTB has had a rough go of it this season, but the last 2 weeks have really shown the bats coming to life. Look at the team's numbers this week and WOW! Timmy also has been doing all he can to pump some life into his team and I respect that! The man works at it and doesn't throw in the towel. Now, can this team keep it up? There is definitely ground to make up and W's have to be done regularly from here on out with the losses being close. Let's start with some positives and you have to begin with Matt Joyce from Tampa. He's only hitting .356 with 10 dingers, 35 runs, and 31 RBI's. Great production from someone that not many people even took note of on draft day. Also, the pickup of Eric Hosmer has worked out well. A certain player to covet in the very near future with that swing. Brian McCann is doing his usual top tier stats from the catcher spot as well. Crawford has been a disppointment to say the least, but is coming on strong, but not even coming close to playing like a first round pick. I know I got on Timmy for that one, but the numbers don't lie. That could change though the rest of the season. McCutcheon's numbers are pretty good, but one would have thought to be better. Heyward is on the DL. What looked like a sleek and shiny outfield has really let Timmy down as the OF was going to need to be heavily relied upon. Like I said before the team has come on of late, but I believe it is asking too much to continue. Not enough power in the lineup and outside of Felix Hernandez and the resurgence of Josh Beckett (can that continue?), the pitching staff is to put it bluntly.....not very good. Justin Masterson has been a nice surprise, but he is coming back down to earth. I applaud how Timmy is working his team to find the right combinations and he is succeeding to some degree, but the slow start is going to be too much to overcome as this team doesn't have all the horses to get back in the race.
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