The Week That Was
A 1-5 week against the Brewers and Giants. The Rox currently stand at 70-82. Seventeen and half games behind the D-Backs for the division lead in fourth place. Currently 38-40 at home and 32-42 on the road, the Rox have been outscored by its opponents 722-694 (expected wins is 73 versus historical wins at 70). On pace for 75 wins with 740 runs scored and 770 runs against. Playoff indicator (Runs scored/Runs Against ratio) is 0.96 (1.16 indicates high playoff potential).
Is this the most disappointing team in Rox history? To me there are eerily similarities between this team and the 2008 team. In 2008, Rox were coming off their World Series run and besides having the same team intact went out and finished with 74 wins. This year, with even greater expectations based on the Tulo, CarGo, de la Rosa signings, this team was certain to compete with Giants (4-11 head to head so far) and maybe win their first division title. In both years expectations shackled the team and obviously this year's team has dealt with injuries.
Going into the season the expectations were that the offense would be OK. This turned out to be wrong. Team never seemed to get on track. CarGo struggled out of the gate, Dex again spent time in the minors, Stewart was a complete bust, second base a black hole, and Smith, a very average player, did OK but Rox need more power from their outfield. Tulo had his moments and frighteningly still had a monster year, imagine some consistency and some consistency around him in the batting order (?). In the end only Helton had a year worth remembering.
Pitching was to be the mainstay with U-Ball, de la Rosa, Chacin, Hammel, and Rogers/Cook. And for the most part pitching was the reason for the monster start with some timely hitting. But U-Ball never got on track, de la Rosa got hurt, Chacin still too young to be anchoring a staff, and well Hammel is Hammel. He will get you 10-12 wins and lose 10-12. Rogers/Cook never really settled in due to injuries. In the end this year will be blamed on the Staff and injuries due to this Staff.
Bullpen was OK. Had a rough patch middle of the season and of course the roller coaster ride that is Huston Street but at least in the off season management doesn't have to worry too much about the relief corp. As a fan this season hurt the most. 2008 we were still feeding off the World Series. It has been a long 4 years now and this season was supposed to be different...problem is will 2012 truly be any different?
Is this the most disappointing team in Rox history? To me there are eerily similarities between this team and the 2008 team. In 2008, Rox were coming off their World Series run and besides having the same team intact went out and finished with 74 wins. This year, with even greater expectations based on the Tulo, CarGo, de la Rosa signings, this team was certain to compete with Giants (4-11 head to head so far) and maybe win their first division title. In both years expectations shackled the team and obviously this year's team has dealt with injuries.
Going into the season the expectations were that the offense would be OK. This turned out to be wrong. Team never seemed to get on track. CarGo struggled out of the gate, Dex again spent time in the minors, Stewart was a complete bust, second base a black hole, and Smith, a very average player, did OK but Rox need more power from their outfield. Tulo had his moments and frighteningly still had a monster year, imagine some consistency and some consistency around him in the batting order (?). In the end only Helton had a year worth remembering.
Pitching was to be the mainstay with U-Ball, de la Rosa, Chacin, Hammel, and Rogers/Cook. And for the most part pitching was the reason for the monster start with some timely hitting. But U-Ball never got on track, de la Rosa got hurt, Chacin still too young to be anchoring a staff, and well Hammel is Hammel. He will get you 10-12 wins and lose 10-12. Rogers/Cook never really settled in due to injuries. In the end this year will be blamed on the Staff and injuries due to this Staff.
Bullpen was OK. Had a rough patch middle of the season and of course the roller coaster ride that is Huston Street but at least in the off season management doesn't have to worry too much about the relief corp. As a fan this season hurt the most. 2008 we were still feeding off the World Series. It has been a long 4 years now and this season was supposed to be different...problem is will 2012 truly be any different?
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