Aniruddha Meenakshisundaram
If the lineup was familiar, the starting pitcher (and most of the rotation) was new. Free agent signee Kinzo Iwamoto received the honor of starting Opening Day. Now 32 years old, last season was the first time in his career that he started more than a dozen games, posting a 5.47 ERA over 24 starts with Brooklyn. Only one starting pitcher from last season returns to the rotation, former Rule 5 pick Juan 'Oz' Cruz. Rounding out the rotation are journeymen Ricardo Negrete and Nelson Thompson and free agent signee Chris Rankin. The entire rotation has one distinguishing characteristic: Each is an extreme groundball pitcher with good control. While their pitch mixes are wildly different, the movement on them will mean opposing batters will struggle to barrel up the ball, and walks should be few and far between. Montreal is counting on this to keep them in the game when they travel to less pitcher friendly ballparks.
Kinzo Iwamoto
This motley crew of no-name pitchers distinguished themselves well in the Blazers' cavernous home park during their six game homestand. The Blazers staff allowed only eight runs, which was all the more impressive considering that they played two 11-inning games. Iwamoto threw twice, recording 14 shutout innings for his new team. The result was six wins in six games for the home team, led by lifelong-Blazer Lineu Aldo, who moved to first base during the offseason after signing a big contract extension. Aldo hit .333/.360/.792 with three doubles, a triple, two home runs, and 4 stolen bases, putting paid to the critics who said he was too old at age 37 to bring back.
Lineu Aldo
Montreal will find out more about their new staff next week, as they depart for Charm City and Calgary on a seven day road trip. Both teams play in bandboxes that are the antithesis of the Blazer's home environs, and both teams are projected to finish at or near the top of their respective leagues.
