Baseball Tri-Weekly: September Cover

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Ready to Launch
By Listen Deplayohs, Baseball Tri-Weekly

Go to any bar in Rakeville, say his name, and you’ll start a chant. Fans have begun to call him Ian in discussions about the team, because just uttering the name Snell turns even the soberest patron into the most raucous Golden Arm. They have good reason to celebrate, and it’s not just Rocket all-stars that have earned the admiration of a city.

The Rakeville rotation proved to be one of the best in the history of the franchise and the league, and they have solidified their legacy as the greatest pitching staff ever seen. While this decade will be remembered for the Weymouth championship dynasty, the dominance of Rakeville hurlers over the years will be a close second. But now the question is, will pitching alone be enough to lift the Rockets to their first title?

Josh Beckett has been the headliner all season, but veteran Rockets Roy Oswalt and Javier Vazquez have quietly been guiding the team to victories. Most impressive has been the back of the rotation. Bronson Arroyo, Felix Hernandez and Rich Hill could be aces on a few teams in the league, but combine for 25 wins and over 400 strikeouts, while Jeremy Guthrie and Kevlim Escobar are having Cy Young caliber seasons.

“I can’t envision a scenario where a team can beat us by out-pitching us,” said Manager Troy O’Leary. “The front office has build this team to win, and win often. I know our playoff history is checkered with failure, but there is a new attitude to this team. We’re not taking anything for granted, but we know if everyone is healthy than we should win.”

Health is key, and Rakeville is getting healthier everyday. Team Trainer Lance Armstrong announced that Josh Hamilton and Chase Utley are ready to play when the rosters expand for the playoffs. Both have been tearing up the ESSEC over the last week in rehab games. Pitchers Pedro Martinez and Phillip Hughes are also poised to contribute but the path for them is more complicated. Still, the Rockets are fit.

“The bye will give guys like Joe Mauer and David Ortiz a chance to rest,” said O’Leary about two players battling nagging injuries. “Everyone in are rotation is fresh, and with our bullpen so deep, their arms are electric. I may vomit on my shoes I am so excited.”

The Rockets biggest obstacle is their 1-5 record in the playoffs.

“It is easy to have a losing playoff record when you look at some of the great teams we’ve seen in the EHCC, but 1-5 is unacceptable,” said General Manager Jack Reed. “We were fortunate enough to have a big lead heading into the trade deadline. It allowed us to focus on moves that will help us win games in the playoffs rather than blowing out teams in the regular season. This team has never been better equipped for postseason success.”