Anchorage AK (AP) - The Abominations open the 2000 campaign at home versus
division rival Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor was knocked out of the playoffs last year
after losing their last two series' of the season, one of which was at the
hands of Anchorage. The rivalry between the clubs has been heated since
the Cockysville Crazies/Cincinnati Bearcats days. Both clubs have since
moved and are considered to be improving. Should be an interesting series.
Position matchups
Catcher: Mike Lieberthal vs. Joe Girardi/Fred Reder. Girardi has good speed
at the catcher spot but not much pop. Reder is the opposite. Fred has good
pop and a strong arm behind the plate. Lieberthal has improved his power in
the offseason, with 4 homers in spring training while sharing time with Chuck
Lynn. Advantage: even
Firstbase: Mark Grace vs. Scott Stahoviak. Grace is a defensive specialist,
but his bat started to come around since joining the Abominations. Stahoviak
is a legitimate firstbaseman with great power and a good glove.
Advantage: Ann Arbor
Secondbase: Miguel Cairo vs. Ernie Young. Young is one of the few true
leadoff men in the league. Ernie is the premier secondbaseman in a division
filled wih great secondbaseman. Anchorage is hoping for a lot from Cairo this
season and he has shown marked improvement behind the plate during spring.
He jumped to a fast start last season, Anchorage will need him again to
beat Ann Arbor. Advantage: Ann Arbor
Thirdbase: Jeff Cirillo vs. Shane Andrews. Cirillo is possibly the best player
that was not on the All-Star team last season. He had a breakout season last
year and looks to build on that, particularly in run production out of the
#3 spot. Andrews swings a huge bat and is a solid fielder. Advantage:
Anchorage
Shortstop: Mark Grudzielanek vs. Ron Choate/Desi Relaford. The combination of
Choate and Reliford is potent. Reliford has more speed on the base pathes,
but Choate is a defensive specialist, which is important at short. Mark
Grudzielanek had an excellent season last year until he was counted on to
carry the offense late in the year. Advantage: even.
Right Field: Cliff Floyd vs. Jay Buhner. Floyd is moving over from left to
fill the position that is still weak from the departure of Gary Sheffield two
off-season's ago. Floyd provides a bit more pop then the rest of the Anchorage
outfield, which is what the team is lacking. Buhner is another big long-ball
threat for the AllKnighters. He also has a monster arm. One of the better
right fielders in the league. Advantage: Ann Arbor
Center Field: Brian McRae vs. Johnny Damon. Damon is much improved and has
developed into a great hitter. His arm is a bit weak, but he has great range.
McRae is a solid veteran that Anchorage counts on to be there everyday. He
does everything, but no one thing great. Advantage: Ann Arbor
Left Field: Lance Johnson vs. Quinton McCracken. McCracken has great speed,
but is a liability in the field. Should probably be a DH. Lance is the
premier leadoff man in the league. Advantage: Anchorage
Designated Hitter: John Jaha vs. Cecil Fielder. Jaha was the most valuable
addition to the Anchorage team last year. The only player to hit more then
20 home runs for Anchorage and 100 RBIs. He is the heart and soul of the
Anchorage offense. Cecil Fielder was a late addition to the AllKnighters
lineup and provides yet another powerful bat in the order. Advantage:
Anchorage.
Starting pitching matchups
Game 1: Mike Bottenfield vs. Pedro Martinez. Bottenfield continues to improve.
Not an ace like Martinez, but he is solid. Advantage: Ann Arbor
Game 2: Bobby Jones vs. Scott Sanders. Many people think Jones is Anchorage's
better hurler. Still not on par with Ann Arbor's #2. Sanders could be a #1
on most teams. Advantage: Ann Arbor
Game 3: Willie VanLandingham vs. Paul Wilson. Wilson is another stud in
the rotation for the AllKnighters. VanLandingham has many critics, but if
he puts together another season like last year, minus the injuries, maybe
he will silence them once and for all. Advantage: Ann Arbor
Bullpen
Anchorage: The addition of Oil can Boyd, John Tankersley, and Steve Woodard
should solidify a shakey bunch from last season. A return to form of Billy
Wagner will be the key to their success in 2000.
Ann Arbor: Seems to possibly be the one weakness in this club. DellaVentura
is definately not a weakness, though. Time will tell with this bunch.
Advantage: even.
Overall
From the breakdown of the two teams, it seems as though a sweep by Ann Arbor is
inevitable, but this is baseball. Anchorage has dialed up Ann Arbor's number
in the past. The intangiables should make this a great series between two
rivals that respect one another.
