MLB Mock Draft Game 8: Harst VS 14 Straight

My gameplan:

Batting order:

1. Carl Crawford, LF
2. Brian Roberts , 2B
3. Chipper Jones, 3B
4. Victor Martinez, C
5. Paul Konerko, DH
6. James Loney, 1B 
7. Edgar Renteria, SS 
8. Jeremy Hermida, RF 
9. Hunter Pence, CF 

Bench

1. Ryan Doumit, C/RF
2. Brayan Pena, C, 1B, 3B, RF, LF
3. Marco Scutero, 2B, 3B, SS
4. Gregor Blanco, LF, CF, RF

Rotation

1. Felix Hernandez
2. Matt Cain
3. Tom Gorezlanny
4. Carlos Silva
5. Tom Glavine

Bullpen:

1. (closer) J.J. Putz
2. (top SU) Jonathon Broxton
3. (second SU) Carlos Marmol
4. (LHR) Scott Downs
5. (MRP) Derek Turnbow
6. (lefty specialist) Royce Ring
7. (long man) Jair Jurrjens 

Home Park: Yankee Stadium

Harst has a strong team, but he has places I can go to get outs. If I can get Hanley out it diffuses his whole offense. I can say with confidence that there are 3 players in his lineup that I can consistently get out- I don't think he can say the same about my lineup. LaRoche, , Church, and Longoria are all guys that can be set down by both my 'pen and rotation. Harst has one of the worst bullpens in the league, and I think that alone will cost him 2 games in this series. Beyond Peavy and Harang, his rotation is pretty weak. Felix can out duel Peavy on a good day, and I think Cain matches up well against Harang. Considering who he will have to go to after taking out his starter vs who I will be going to, I can win at least one of the first 2 games of the series. After that is when I'll really kick into gear though. Owings and Pettitte vs Gorezlanny and Silva is pretty even, except for the fact that Gorezlanny is left handed. Abreu, Utley, Hamilton, and LaRoche are all left handed. Glavine vs Loshe isn't even fair, for the same reason that Gorezlanny is better than Owings in this situation. Combine that with Ring, who is VERY tough on leftys, and I can get out 3-5 in his lineup quite a few times this series.

Martin is a good defensive catcher, but I will attempt to spark my lineup by sending a runners a lot. With Victor Martinez in a power slump, but hitting for a good average, I will play hit-and-run some with him up. Late in the close games that will exist a lot in this series, Gregor Blanco will come in to pinch run a few times. I won't hesitate to pinch run for V-Mart.

Another factor that may seem minor but should play a big effect is that I have 2 left handed relievers in my 'pen. being able to bring in Scott Downs and Royce Ring and neutrualize the core of Harst's lineup twice a game is huge.

Chipper Jones is the hottest hitter in the game right now, and should drive in plenty of runs this series. Harst and I have the 2 hottest hitters in the game, but I don't think Utley will be able to pick up the sidearming action of Royce Ring. Chipper is a switch hitter, and is hitting well from both sides of the plate.

At the end of the day, in what will be a well played and close series, I think I win in 6 games.

Harst's gameplan:

Harst's Heavy Hitters

Ballpark:
Fenway Park

Batting Order:
1. Hanley Ramirez, SS
2. Ian Kinsler, DH
3. Josh Hamilton, CF
4. Chase Utley, 2B
5. Bobby Abreu, RF
6. Russell Martin, C
7. Ryan Church, LF
8. Evan Longoria, 3B
9. Adam A. LaRoche, 1B

Rotation:
1. Jake Peavy, RHP
2. Aaron Harang, RHP
3. Micah Owings, RHP
4. Andy Pettitte, LHP
5. Mark Hendrickson, LHP

Bullpen:
1. Chad Cordero, RHP (Closer)
2. Peter Moylan, RHP (Set-up man)
3. Heath Bell, RHP (Set-up man)
4. Ryan Rowland-Smith, LHP
5. Bobby Seay, LHP

Bench:
1. Lastings Milledge, OF
2. Cameron Maybin, OF
3. Kyle Lohse, SP, RHP
4. J.R. Towles, C
5. Hank Blalock, 3B

My gameplan for this game against 14 Straight is to stop his hitters with my starting rotation. Peavy, Harang, Owings, and Pettitte are all great starters. Throw in Hendrickson and you get a sick rotation that will give any hitter fits. Once again, my bullpen isn't great, and I realize that. However, I believe Cordero is a strong veteran closer that has proved himself to be dependable, and Moylan has also shown that he can strive as a set-up man.

I'm not worried about how my offense will do. His pitching staff was good before he traded Kazmir, but now other than Hernandez and maybe Cain, his rotation is weak. I think Utley (league leader in home runs) and Hamilton (league leader in RBIs) can have a strong series and lead us to a win.

In this series, we will not be afraid to steal some bases. Hanley, Kinsler, Abreu, and Martin are all great base stealing machines that will be put to use against Martinez's release. Martinez is getting better, but I still think we will be able to steal on him and take some risks that could account for some later runs.

Lastly, I moved Church into the lineup and took out Maybin, because as of now, Church is swinging a hot bat and hopefully he can maintain that.