The Expectations:
This team is a 85-87 win team (if Carp is healthy), it isn't a mid-90's win team. We are lucky, it doesn't have to be anything more considering the division. Plus we are facing the Mets, probably the best team in the NL. And starting the season by celebrating in front of the pennant losers had to have fired them up.
The Good:
Looper and Wells looked ok for their first starts. Both need some work, but they didn't lose the game for us. Wainwright and Reyes are still to come, but I still think our rotation is better than last years. Bullpen looks the same (streaky), and I hope Izzy regains form...we'll see.
The Bad:
Our lack of offense is disturbing but not surprising. Besides Pujols, Rolen, and Edmonds...we have a lot of slap hitters and/or strikeout/popout/groundout hitters. Someone needs to step up, and the only person I see even close to doing that is Duncan.
The Lucky:
The Mets and their double play's are just insane, but make sense considering the type of offense we have. (see above)
The Payroll:
They have the money but won't overpay for medocrity. If Gary Matthews can get $50 million, be glad we have Juan Ency for $15 million. I don't see the Cards making a splash in free agency unless it is a slam dunk and they overpay. With Pujols, Rolen, Edmonds, Carp, and Izzy taking up ~50% of the payroll (off the top of my head), that doesn't leave a lot of cash for other players. My guess is that they start relying on the farm more, but now we are seeing the effects of trading away the farm in previous years (offensively).
The Ugly:
Houston and Chicago could start a NL Central spending spree if they wanted to. Chicago already has, but they aren't done yet. A good owner, and they will be even tougher.
The Hope:
The focus on the farm is a good thing, but it sucks right now. A and AA show promise and could make an impact in a year or two. Patching together a team to keep the crowds coming in will happen over the next few years. But that's ok, if Houston and Chicago keep their payrolls in check, and the NL Central is still weak.
Sorry for the long post, I kinda kept going.
TFG
GDT: Maine (0-0) vs Looper (0-0); 7:10pm/Looper Predictions
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TimeForGuinness
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