Despite poor hitting, it is the pitching staff that scares the team.
Miles Tauscher and his sub 2 ERA was drafted away, and last year's
save leader, Omar Oliveras was moved to being a starter. Tim
Crabtree (4 saves in 4 games, 0.00 ERA) has shown he is ready to be
the closer, but Oliveras does not look ready to be a starter. Given
Bob Wells history of performing very poorly as a starter last year,
Motor City is looking for a quality starter.
John Smoltz (3-0, 2.46) was rocked opening day, but he has come back
strong (20 baserunners and 27 K's in 25.2 IP). Gary Niles is (1-2,
2.33) has a .164 OBA and .239 OSlg and Osvaldo Fernandez (1-0, 2.25)
has 19 baserunners and 21 K's in 20 IP, but both have failed to get
much support. Walter Bigbee (2-0, 3.00) is again pitching better
than expected, but Olivares (1-2, 4.50) is not working out.
The infield
3B Willie Green leads the team in average (.291) but has 4 errors
already and C Charlie O'Brien is 2nd (.273). 1B Pete O'Neill is
hitting .150, but 5 of his 9 hits are extra base, including 3
dingers. 2B is a slight disappointment, but the platoon of Fernando
Vina and Luis Castillo have scored 8 runs from the number 9 slot. SS
Ozzie Guillen isn't hitting his weight either, but he is there for
defense, and 5 of his 8 hits are doubles.
Motor City stopped actively looking to deal the 19yo Castillo and his
gigantic potential (90ch, 99ph) that goes with his 80+ speed, but
might consider a deal that brought an all-star the way of the Madmen.
The Outfield
LF Ellis Burks (.267, 4, 12) is performing great again with his .533
slugging and 5 steals. Leadoff hitter CF Curtis Pride (.210, 4, 12)
has not found his stroke yet, but he has walked 10 times already and
stole 4 bases, leading to 9 runs. RF Sammy Sosa (.242, 4, 13) hits
cleanup, and needs to pick it up a bit, eventhough he does lead the
team in RBI. DH/CF Brian McRae (.232, 5 2B) hasn't started hitting
like he did last year yet (.290ish, 49 doubles and 37 SB), possibly
because he knows Motor City is looking to deal him for a more
conventional DH that is slower but has better power.
