Lineup Starting to Take Shape

(Monday’s) practice was a real good start to the week. As we’re getting closer to our first trip, the pitchers continue to increase their pitch count. It’s obviously good for them because they’ll be ready to throw deep into a game if need be, but it also benefits our hitters because we can take more live at-bats. I think the closer we get to traveling South for games, the more of a business approach the team is slowly taking at practices. It looks like more and more, the lineup is coming to a finalization for the first few games in Myrtle Beach. There is no doubt some names and the order will change, but there is a good idea where everyone will be and their roles on the team.

The tough part of the trip probably lies with the coaches, who have to decide who to bring and who to leave back home. We only take 24 guys to Myrtle Beach, partly because it is only a five game trip, but also because we rarely take everyone on road trips. Florida is the only trip where everyone is guaranteed a spot on the bus. It adds some pressure for them because they have to take a roster down South that is not only competitive in every aspect, but flexible as well. If something happens to a player, whether it is injury, fatigue, or even an early season slump, you need to be able to find a capable player for that spot, particularly on defense. You need at least one extra catcher, one player for the corner infield positions, one for the middle infield, and an extra outfielder. Deciding how many to take of each while also balancing the pitchers traveling can be the difference between a successful trip and one that had some holes. I think more than anything, whoever are the 24 guys that travel, each one will be ready to do his role and help our team win. We want to win all five games in Myrtle Beach, realizing that 4-1 would also be a good record. I think anything below that is unacceptable and that is the way we are preparing every day.

#17 = Matt Burns