23 SIDEARM REVIEW: #9 WINGER WHIPPETS

                                            CAN 2020 CHAMPS RETURN TO WS ??

FRONT OFFICE 

Kevin Nascene is another veteran owner.  In 22 seasons, Nascene has led the Wingers to 9 playoff appearances, 2 World Series visits  and 1 World Series championship.   Let's see what the numbers look like for the 23 season. 

ROTATION 

Scherzer 574
Woodruff  640
Kluber  729
Hill  747
Gomber 807

DeGrom 525

BULLPEN 

McHugh 556
Ferguson 572
Loup 671
Kimbrel 675
Nelson 697
Maton 730
Payamps 752


LINEUP 

Higgins c 693
Olson 1b 802
LeMahieu 2b 734
Bregman ss 820
Donaldson 3b 682
Gallo of 638
Buxton 833
Springer 814
Renfroe dh 807

BENCH 

Ro. Castro if 726
Bleday of 586
R. Lewis ss 867
McCann c 538
Murphy c 894


ANALYSIS 

As we make our way to the top 10 teams in the league, a case can be made for anyone of them to add a championship trophy to their hardware.  The Whippets are no exception. 

Scherzer, Woodruff and DeGrom are all playoff aces and can carry a team all by themselves.  Granted, DeGrom has limited IP but if used in high leverage situations or starting in a must win game, he could be the difference between a championship and a quick exit from the playoffs.

McHugh and Ferguson are B+ relievers but the rest of the staff  is questionable. I doubt anyone feels safe when Kimbrel, Loup or Nelson are used in clutch situations but perhaps Nascene knows how to mix and match them to get the most effective use during the season.

You have to love a lineup filled with All Stars and solid contributors.   Olson, LeMahieu, Bregman, Buxton and Springer is a nightmare for any opposing pitcher while Renfroe, Gallo and Donaldson are competent vets.  It must be nice to have to choose between Lewis, Murphy and company for pinch hitting duty. 

Injuries are like termites destroying the foundation of a house.  Nascene needs to figure out how to deal with injuries to Buxton and DeGrom.  That seems to be the wildcard in determining the Whippets' fate in 23.  The numbers say the Wingers will finish 2nd in the NL Central.