The Hope Flying Dutchmen are riding a three game winning streak. After an inexplicable three game losing streak to start the season, the ship appears to have been righted. Now tied for sixth in the league, but only two games out of first. The vast majority of the league is pretty closely bunched. But on to the Dutchmen.
Ryan Zimmerman and Nick Markakis have been offensive stalwarts, with Marco Scutaro and Adam Lind providing depth. The return of Joe Mauer has been a huge lift. Mauer has been producing at superhuman levels, at around three points per AB. If Chris Davis awakens this offense will be one of the best in the league.
The pitching staff was the strong point entering the draft as well as ending the draft. Felix Hernandez, Tim Lincecum, Matt Garza, Josh Beckett, Kevin Slowey, Jair Jurrjens, and Rick Porcello spearheaded a strong staff. Except for Garza and Slowey, the rest have even underperformed expectations and their true talent levels. The unexpected implosion of Chien Ming Wang was offset by the pickups of Koji Uehara, Brian Tallet, and Brett Cecil.
I was just able to trade Mike Napoli, who is no longer needed now that Mauer is back, and the upstart rookie Cecil for John Danks. In my mind, it is the classic sell high buy low trade. I don't expect Cecil to continue at this pace, he has a low BABIP, and doesn't throw extremely hard. Danks has had 4 great starts and three terrible ones. I fully expect him to be the White Sox's ace and pitch like one.
I'm really liking my chances going forward. With the exception of my shortstop position, I don't have a hole. My pitchers have the ability to carry me.
