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April 3, 1989

MONTREAL | MONDAY, APRIL 3, 1989 | SINCE 1778 | SPORTS FINAL

At Least They Don't Count

Expos Prepare for Regular Season After Poor Spring Showing

The expectations were not neccessarily high going into the season, but they were certainly better than a .333 winning percentage. That is what the Expos accomplished after going 8-16 this spring, the second worst record in baseball.

A new general manager, a new coaching staff and a few new players had Expos fans excited about the possibility of at least playing .500 ball. However, now many Expos fans are scratching their heads wondering if they are set to endure another last place finish in the National League East.

Here is a look at the best and worst of the Expos' spring and a projection for the upcoming season.

The Good

The Expos bullpen was very good in the spring. Six relievers had ERA's under 3.00 including four who were under 2.00. Second round draft pick Mike Hartley was the leader of the group posting 9 1/3 scoreless innings in eight appearances. The lone blemish was returning closer Gene Nelson, who struggled by giving up six runs in 7 1/3 innings.

Johnny Ray, the most notable offseason acquisition, hit .346 and stole four bases, solidifying his proclaimed status as the league's best two-hole hitter, given by Expos GM Tom Grieve.

The team's leading hitter from last season, Terry Francona, also hit .333 this spring and should be a key contributor again. Also, the Expos top prospect from the past two seasons, Andres Galarraga, hit .333 and led the team with a .588 slugging percentage. Galarraga's performance will be key as first baseman Denny Walling will miss the first three weeks with a calf strain.

The Bad

Outside of David Cone and the newly acquired Jeff Russell, the Expos rotation was awful in the spring. John Dopson, the team's win leader last season and prononced ace, was 1-3 with a 7.02 ERA. Lee Tunnell, last year's ERA leader, was 2-2 with a 5.00 ERA. The rotation's fifth starter, Jim Deshaies, posted the worst ERA of the five with a 7.36

Starting catcher Craig Biggio, starting shortstop Al Newman and platoon left fielder Doug Jennings all hit below .200 this spring. While Biggio is likely to rebound, Newman and Jennings are big questions.

The Ugly

The Expos lost projected number three starter Floyd Youmans for the year to an elbow injury. Although the acquired Russell to fill that role, they are dangerously thin in the rotation, even sending last year's opening day closer, Chuck Finley, to the minors to get work as a starter.

Expos lost five games in a row twice this spring and only won two in a row once. The team was plagued by losing streaks last season and they desperately need to put together some winning streaks this season to keep the fans interested.

Expos website