Apr/060
A New Beginning – Marlins @ Astros 7:05 PM
Here’s a rundown of our opening day lineup (probable).
BATTING ORDER
1. Hanley Ramirez, SS:
The former Red Sox farmhand had arguably the best spring of any Marlin. A gifted athlete with size, speed, power and baseball instincts, Ramirez is a leadoff hitter with unlimited potential.
2. Jeremy Hermida, RF:
The organization’s top prospect since being drafted in the first round in 2002, Hermida becomes the regular in right field. Regarded as a future star, Hermida has a sweet swing and a patient eye. Like Ramirez, he will be asked to come of age as a rookie.
3. Miguel Cabrera, 3B:
A standout since breaking in as a rookie in 2003, Cabrera is one of the most feared hitters in the game. And he’s still 22 (turns 23 in late April). Now starting at his natural third base spot, Cabrera is the undisputed leader of the lineup.
4. Mike Jacobs, 1B:
If his first 100 big league at-bats are any indication, the left-handed-hitting first baseman is in for a strong first full season in the big leagues. Jacobs belted 11 homers last year with the Mets. He takes on a big role, batting cleanup.
5. Josh Willingham, LF:
Finally getting his big break at age 27, Willingham will take on two key roles this season. He will split time between catching and playing left field. The past few years he has been a highly productive power hitter in the Minor Leagues. The Marlins are hoping he duplicates that kind of success now.
6. Dan Uggla, 2B:
Unpolished at the start of Spring Training, the Rule 5 pickup steps in as the every day second baseman. With his power and scrappy play, Uggla draws comparisons to Atlanta’s Marcus Giles. He’s continuing to improve defensively, where he was very raw at the beginning of Spring Training.
7. Reggie Abercrombie, CF:
An intriguing athlete because of his size, speed and power, Abercrombie has tremendous natural skills. He’s not yet polished. If he learns plate discipline, and doesn’t swing at everything, in time he may be a surprise talent.
8. Miguel Olivo, C:
After splitting last year with the Mariners and Padres, Olivo is being asked to handle a young staff. He will split time behind the plate with Willingham. His ability to hit will partly determine his playing time. The club is hopeful he will be able to cut down his strikeouts, and put the ball in play enough to get positive results.
9. Dontrelle Willis, LHP:
Paced the Major Leagues with 22 wins last year, when he was named runner-up in the Cy Young Award balloting to Chris Carpenter. A two-time All-Star, the D-Train is the Opening Day starter for the first time.
“They hear all the negative things that are said about the team. We’re definitely taking it to heart, and you’re starting to see it,” –Dontrelle Willis on how the team is responding to low expectations.
STAT PACK
HOU: RHP Roy Oswalt
• 20-12, 2.94 ERA in 2005
• 0-1, 2.35 ERA in 2005 vs. FLA
• 2-2, 2.52 ERA lifetime vs. FLA
FLA: LHP Dontrelle Willis
• 22-10, 2.63 ERA in 2005
• 2-0, 1.59 ERA in 2005 vs. HOU
• 3-1, 3.00 ERA lifetime vs. HOU
Time: 7:05 PM EDT/6:05 PM CDT
TV: FSN Florida | FSN Houston | MLB.tv | MLB Extra Innings
Radio: 560 WQAM, 1140 WQBA (Sp.) | 740 KTRH, 1010 KLAT (Sp.) | XM 187, XM 190 (Sp.) | MLB.com Gameday Audio
Location: Minute Maid Park | Houston, Texas
Discuss this game with other Fish fans in the Marlinbaseball.com Game Thread here.
[MLB.COM]
[MARLINBASEBALL GAME THREAD]
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