We're starting to get to the point where Choo calls your titles pointless.
The Cheese Steaks' last World Series title — it was his third in four years — came in 2018.
It still feels weird to comprehend this, but 2018 was five seasons ago. Since then, his WFMZ rival has won three of four, and you know that the Steaks are just dying for another bite of the apple.
The projections certainly have him in the conversation.
His historical competitiveness — an amazing .580 winning percentage over nine seasons — has him there, too.
So it would be an absolute stunner to not see the Cheese Steaks in the playoffs come August.
As usual, pitching is the name of the game for the Steaks, and he's got plenty of it — despite sending Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer packing.
They're among six Opening Day starters on this team. Aaron Nola and Logan Webb both got the Opening Day nod, and the Steaks drafted Eduardo Rodriguez and Corey Kluber to pile on the first day onslaught of pitching.
"The six Opening Day starters seem like a lot, but some of those guys are back-end arms who just happen to pitch in thin rotations (E-Rod, Kluber, etc)," JV said. "We’re thinner SP wise than we’ve been in years past. Trading away Max and JV was tough. We have fewer sure-fire aces than we usually do. We’ll need some guys to step up."
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That's me just shaking my head. I wish I had his problem.
Projection-wise, he was ahead of or just behind the Dude in most categories. They are both the class of the National League, and there's no modesty needed here. The numbers these two teams will put up on double-start weeks for these pitchers will be sick.
So, where do you catch JV?
Offense. That's what I had to do last year, but it wasn't easy, and it certainly won't be any easier in 2023.
The Steaks added Corey Seager and Seiya Suzuki in a trade that still boggles my mind, and he also brought in Kyle Schwarber to play LF. That's 96 homers added and plenty of run production.
"We had two offensive goals this offseason: add power and add BA/OBP," Steaks said. "So for every Schwarber and Seager that we brought in, we also brought in a Donovan and Frelick. The hope is a more potent, balanced offense can help offset what I think will be a weaker pitching staff this season."
Add those guys to keepers Freddie Freeman, Jose Ramirez and Cedric Mullins, and the Steaks are in great shape to "float by" on offense while Bryce Harper is on the IL.
"It’s obviously tough to replace what Harp brings at DH," Steaks said. "It’s a job only an Italian could handle. So we’re calling on the Vinnie the Kid to step in those first few months. As long as he does what he’s always done — hit for pop and get on base — we can hopefully stay the course til Bryce gets back."
That's right, Vinnie Pasquantino will get a full season of work for the Royals, and his projections are super nice to see in the lineup with .278 average, 23 homers, 86 RBIs and most importantly, 71 walks.
Gotta focus on that OBP.
The Steaks ranked seventh in the JLB in OBP a year ago. Now, the S-Scale has him second to Quad Eh, who may only do one thing this year, and that's get on base.
"If he can keep up that elite approach at the plate, that’ll be a nice offensive stabilizer for us."
Stabilization. That's definitely what JV needs. Without that, he'd be in a world of trouble.
You know, given how weak his pitching staff is. *wink wink*
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