Outlook for Season 1

Houston gets ready to do battle in the NL South. How does the ML team look?

Starting Lineup

1. LF Benji Siqueros
2. SS Sean Parrish
3. 2B Brant Pulsipher
4. RF Jonathan Foster
5. 1B Stephen Grudzielanek
6. 3B Kelvin Franco
7. C Joe Mattes
8. CF Joakim Canseco

Analysis: The middle of the order (3 through 7) is average to good, but they could have problems with the top of the order. The team hopes Siqueros can draw some walks, because he, Parrish, and Canseco are lacking in the hitting department. It's not a great offense, but it should be serviceable.

Starting Pitching

1. J.T. Inge (R)
2. Paul Bong (L)
3. Nate Clayton (R)
4. Ned Burch (L)
5. Enrique DeRojas (L)

Analysis: Pitching coach Dan Walker said the only starter he isn't worried about is Inge. the 26-year-old Opening Day starter may not be a star, but he should be solid. After that is a crapshoot: Bong has control issues, Clayton and Burch may struggle to get hitters out (Burch is a year or so away, but as a Rule 5 guy Houston can't send him down) and DeRojas is merely a stopgap until Gordon Forest is ready- he won't last the season as the #5 starter. If he does, Houston is in big trouble.

Relief Pitching

Closer: Geoff Borland (L)

Setup: Don Suzuki (R)
Victor Mantalban (L)
Skip Everland (R)
Bart Giovanola (L)
Justin Howell (R)
Hee Sop Matsumoto (L)

Analysis: Yikes. Well, at least they have a nice blend of lefties and righties. Now if only they were any good. Borland was picked up off waivers and is the closer, which should tell you all you need to know about this bullpen. He tends to be wild from time to time. As for the setup guys, if they need significant innings from anyone except Everland, this will get ugly real fast.