Here are the cards starting with the position players 1-9, Murray is the DH. As I have worked this team out, I believe I will sit Sorrento and play Murray at 1st if the pitcher hits.
Here is the Bullpen, about as solid as I can ask for.
The rotation for Chicago (Remember it is Any grade, no better than a B, no better than a C, and no better than a D)
Everything else falls into its typical place; defense 2, not much speed and a serviceable to solid rotation for this specific tournament.
Here is the rub: my #9 hitter (with a DH) is Omar Vizquel, he is a SS 10 but hits very poorly. I can start Espinoza who is a SS 7, but that drops the defense from 2 to 3.
Here are the SS cards:
Not great. I hate that 8 sitting at 33 in a tournament, he has the 15-11 and two 0s, two 10s, and remember he keeps the defense at a 2.
Espinoza lowers the defense 3 points and that takes the team to a defense 3. He has the virtue of a 7 at 33, two 0s and a 22-7, but lost the 15-11 and the 10s. He is not a J-4 so I can start him.
It feels a bit offense greedy to sit Vizquel for the 33-8 just to get a 7 at 33 and take the defensive hit.
What has worked out well is having Vizquel bunt with runners on and less than two outs to essentially manage him like a pitcher at the plate with this team.
I have failed to mention up to this point that with the XCs I have a set of three monster cards.
Giles .556, Ripken .412, and Burnitz .571. This allows a pinch hitter for Vizquel and Espinoza to come in and play SS with the defensive hit. It also allows for a monster option to pinch hit for a pitcher if I lose the DH.
The 1995 Cleveland Indians Murderers' Row:
The Chicagoland continues to be one of the premier APBA events in the county, including the national event.
