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Here's what some of the members
of the Japan baseball media thought about the season prior to Opening Day 2008.
(We'll keep this up until shortly before the next season, so you can see how
they did.)
From the Yomiuri
Shimbun Online
Chiba
Lotte Marines -- Predicted
Finish: 2
The Marines had the PL's second-best offense in
2007 despite getting just half seasons from Julio Zuleta and Jose Ortiz and
another subpar year from Toshiaki Imae. It is unlikely the run total will be
lower than last year, while a big year from two of those three could turn the
Marines into an offensive juggernaut.
If Imae's stick continues to slumber, manager
Bobby Valentine has 21-year-old third baseman Kei Hosoya champing at the bit on
the farm team.
Outfielder Shoitsu Omatsu will be 26 in June and
could become a big hitter in a hurry, while slugger Naotaka Takehara could also
raise his production significantly.
The other positive for the Marines is the
starting pitching. Shunsuke Watanabe, Hiroyuki Kobayashi and Yoshihisa Naruse
anchor the front end with the back three of Shingo Ono, Naoyuki Shimizu and
Yasutomo Kubo expected to carry a larger load than in the last two seasons.
One thing we know going into the season is that
the Marines pitchers will throw strikes. The Marines are something of a modern
marvel when it comes to walks. They issued fewer walks per inning last year than
any team since 1962.
With few walks, a better-than-average team
defense, a steady offense and a strong bench, the Marines will be in the
postseason.
One barometer may be how well the bullpen fares
after losing three pitchers who combined for 120 saves and 154 holds over the
past four seasons.
Winston Abreu will share some of the closer role
with Brian Sikorski, while right-hander Tadahiro Ogino, lefty Yusuke Kawasaki
and rookie righty Yoshihiro Ito carry the load in middle relief.
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From
Jason Coskrey of The
Japan Times
Manager Bobby Valentine's men came within one game of a
trip to the Japan Series last season and are built not only to make another run,
but also to get the job done this time.
The Marines should have a balanced attack at the plate
with speedsters Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Daisuke Hayakawa, power hitters Julio
Zuleta and Tomoya Satozaki, and all-around threats in Saburo Omura and Jose
Ortiz.
First baseman Kazuya Fukuura is back and will likely hit
third, while Gold Glove third baseman Toshiaki Imae, who should now be fully
healed from an injury last season, will be looking to raise his offensive
numbers after a subpar year at the plate.
Lotte should also be an excellent base-running team and
capable of manufacturing runs when the big bats in the heart of the order can't
find their home run stroke.
Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Shunsuke Watanabe and Yoshihisa Naruse
give Valentine a fearsome trio at the top of a starting rotation. The staff is
also looking for solid starts from Naoyuki Shimizu, Yasutomo Kubo, Shingo Ono
and possibly Tadahiro Ogino.
In the bullpen, closer Masahide Kobayashi and setup man
Yasuhiko Yabuta have both departed for the majors.
New additions Brian Sikorski, who spent the 2002 and '03
seasons with the Marines, and Winston Abreu should help fill those roles.
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