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03/20/2008 Archived Entry: "Japanese Baseball Team Preview 2008: Rakuten Eagles"
Japanese Baseball Team Preview 2008: Rakuten Eagles
Glenn Davies, Tokyo Japan
RAKUTEN EAGLES TEAM PREVIEW 2008 SEASON |
The Eagles finished 4th for the first time in their history in 2007 (Last in both their previous 2 seasons). Timely hitting and the emergence of a few star pitchers have crafty veteran manager Katsuya Nomura openly stating that the goal for this season is the playoffs and 3rd place. A lofty goal and one that might yet be beyond the young but talented group assembled here. Look for a dip before the rise and maybe a strong run in 2009.
PREDICTION: 5th in the Pacific League
PROBABLE LINEUP |
Avg | HR | RBI | SB | ||
| CF | Tsuchiya | .254 | 10 | 48 | 8 |
| 2B | Takasu | .283 | 1 | 44 | 15 |
| 3B | Kusano | .320 | 8 | 44 | |
DH | Yamazaki | .261 | 43 | 108 | |
| 1B | Fernandez | .270 | 22 | 79 | |
| LF | Short | .330 | 4 | 53 | |
| RF | Isobe | .277 | 5 | 48 | |
| SS | Watanabe | .268 | 2 | 26 | 25 |
| C | Shima | .183 | 2 | 16 | 16 |
Three times all Japan HR champion Yamazaki had an outstanding year at age 39. He hasn't shown that kind of power since his heady days at Chunichi in the late 90s and is now only 2 HRs short of a career 300HRs.He looks set for a strong season with Fernandez in the order protecting him, Fernandez himself hit a Japan career low 22HRs and looks likely to bounce back to 30 in 08. Short doesn't give you much power but drives in 50 a year and gets on base, the rest of the team has more speed than any other in the league (above SB totals) and Nomura loves to hit and run. Takasu, Kusano, rookie Watanabe and Tsuchiya are all responding to increased playing time while a large number of overpaid and under performing veterans sit. This makes for a strong bench and players hungry to succeed.
PITCHING |
|
|
| W | L | ERA | SV |
SP | Tanaka | 11 | 7 | 3.82 | |
| SP | Iwakuma | 5 | 5 | 3.40 |
|
| SP | Asai | 8 | 8 | 3.12 | |
SP | Ichiba | 6 | 2 | 5.37 | |
SP | Guzman | 2 | 4 | 5.01 | |
CL | Koyama | 3 | 1 | 0.58 | 16 |
The Eagles finally found their ace in 2007 in the form of Masahiro Tanaka. The rookie was overpowering recording 196 strikeouts in 186.3 IP. The pressure will naturally be on to repeat in 08 and the Eagles season will depend a lot on him. Iwakuma won 15 in 03 and 04 and looked better last year and will be effective if he can build up stamina. Asai was a surprise setting career highs in all pitching categories. Ichiba was meant to be the ace but continues to unimpress - even with the occasional 154km/h pitch he offers. If Ichiba can stay healthy he could win 6-7. Guzman rounds off the rotation and is far from his '04 dominance with the Dragons (10-5), he took a huge pay cut to return and will have a lot to prove. Koyama gets an 'A' for his first efforts as closer, he keeps the ball down and runners off base.
