European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 31, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse Thursday. March 31,1988 the stars and stripes Page 19 starting rotation should turn mets into Flag winners baseball 88 b j1mixjnaghv of sport writer Jack Clark � in Yankee pinstripes the mels Are favored in win the Easi and inc expos and pirates arc moving up on the outside. It s just another Pennant race for . The cardinals unit manager to Erzog lock advantage of the mils decimated pitching and mangled morale in 1981 to win he National league East for the third time this decade. And the card won despite so Mcrae key injuries of their own now they must overcome the loss of Clark who signed As j free agent with the new York Yankees. The cardinals scored 5.2 runs per Gam with Clark in he lineup 3.6 runs without him. But tit us Wilt adjust he usually does. I think we might Surprise some peo ple i hate to lose Jack Clar just like everybody else does but i think we can be better pitching Wise to make up tar a lot of in. 1 Don l think thai we would Hii like we did Lam fear even if Jack was Here Herzog said. For a Power source the ordinals signed free agent Hob Homer. Horner to played in Japan last sea son will play first and the cards need him 10 stay healthy. Potentially we be got a Chance to be a very Good Herzog said. Bui we my have to approach in a Lillic Dif Ferent Ihan we did Lasi year. We May have to win More Low run to stay on lop he nog made improving the starting rotation his primary Goa and he says the Cardi accomplished that with the acquisition of Jose Deleon from he White sox for reliever Rick Horlon and outfielder Lance Johnson. "1 fell Chad to upgrade our right handed starting Scrob said. I m not saying i m going 1p be right. But if we could t get an is a shed 10-game Winner i feel we got a Pilcher who s about ready to come into his the Mcley. Her of May also Ald Roukie Cris girl Amer to the pen. The cardinals a Jive it is cd irk hut Slu have the Speed and defend of Ric Smith is. Terry 1 Endl Cinn 3b and Willie Mccree and Vince Cottman in the Outfield. The key on of fens will be improved production Frum Catcher Tony Pena j.21 1 and of Hilda fire baseman Lindman ,208. Ron Darling Wight Coodin Sid Fernandez Piff Burgh pirates the pirates have pitching defense hitting and Speed. Power no Hui four oui of five makes this team dangerous. Just ask the mets. The pirates won 27 of their last 38 games including three of six from new York Down the Strelch. Rookie mile Dunne who did t Pilch in the majors until june finished 13-6 with a 3.03 Era. He Heads a staff of Doug or Nick Brian Fisher and Hob walk. Oen Cra Syd Thrift strengthened the bullpen with inc additions of Jim Goll 13 saves and Jeff Robinson 2.15. 14 Savut kurd throwing John Smiley could help. Outfielders Andy Van Slyke and Barry i tones combined for 46 homers and 66 stolen bases. From the cleanup spot however Sid Bream had Only 65 ubis the 1 Fralc acquired first baseman Randy Milligan from the mils and plan to Plain on him by first with Bream. The Middle infield has josi1 Lind Al second and either Lehi form it Al pc or Rafael de Liard it Short slip. L of Bonilla is at third. Puii a Al Puiia Phillies it s hard a hide poor Marling Pilch ing and the Phillies could t in i $87. Although Shane Kin icy Kevin Gross Don c Arran and Bruce Kullon were the Only starting four in the no. Who each i tuck fur 200 innings in i1s7, they were huh Ojida ant a combined 50-52. Steve eled Rosian. Whu played a part in 45 of Hie phils 80 Al Clorice has struggled with illness this Spring. The Phillies Are Strong at inc top of the Hatting order with Milt Thompson. Juan Samuel von Hayes and Mike Schmidt they added iwo outfielders. Phil la Radley 14. Homers. 67 rails came in a Trade tint sent Glenn Wilson to Senalle Mike Young 16 homers arrived Fram Nahi Inorg. The i iils led the no with 46 leads at the end of one inning and a 3m-7 record in those games. Much better numbers arc needed from Catcher Lance Parrish who slumped old 17 tin men and 67 Kali. Chicago cubs the cubs had maj Andre a Awn and kick Suk Lii e led the new Iii u vict Viries. Yel Chicago still finished last Winn ing 7 be Sandberg and shortstop Shawon Dunstan went on the disabled list in june
