The Outlaw Chronicles 2039-4 Surprise, Surprise

[bigmike13]

Hitting up, Pitching down

In what seems like an annual occurance, the San Antonio Outlaws fly out the gate only to fall flat on it's face. The Outlaws had high expectations for this season but finished out the first month of the season with a 13-14 record, not exactly what was planned.

This season has been an almost complete reversal of last where the Outlaws rode good starting pitching and a solid bullpen while hiding their offensive problems. So far the offense has been doing all the heavy lifting, with mixed results coming out of the rotation, and a dumpste fire of a bullpen aside from Closer Roberto Lizardo.

Even with all the issues there have been a couple early season surprises that have been a joy to see unfold. On the offensive side, 19 yr old Rookie OF Valentin Fitas has hit the ground running and is really giving this team a spark. Currently playing out of position in CF just to keep his bat in the lineup, he is smoking everything he sees and is batting .352 with 5 HR's and 12 2B's in 88 AB's. He is showcasing himself to be the eventual replacement for LF Chang-hyeok Chang when his contract ends.

Staying on the offense, 3B Lucio Cuellarr has looked far more comfortable with the parent club than he did with his late season debut in 2038. While he will never be a prototypical power threat from the hot corner, he should become a top of the order On Base and Run producer in the very near future.

Moving over to the mound, Jorge Alvarez has been spectacular since missing all of 2038 and having Tommy John surgery. He leads the team in ERA with 3.00, and Innings Pitched and sits in second behind Aki Kondo for K's. Once Kondo hits his groove, the Outlaws might have one of the best 1 thru 3 starters in the JL.

2038 All Star Closer, Roberto Lizardo, has come out of the gate blazing and already has 10 Saves and is sporting a glowing 0.75 ERA. He credits a change in his diet and work regimen in the off season to feeling stronger than he ever has a the start of a season.

There are plenty of positives to feed off of here in the early going of 2039, but some of the guys in funks had better pick it up and soon or they will be looking for work.

[RonCo]

Everything is upside down this year, so why should the Outlaws be exempt.