My 9 (2008 Version)

I realize naming my starting nine for Opening Day is a little late this season and many of the spots in the lineup have already been claimed, but I guess it is better late than never. I will attempt, again, to name the nine starters and the order they will come to the plate next Monday against the Cubs.

1. Rickie Weeks (2B)
2. Tony Gwynn Jr (CF)
3. Prince Fielder (1B)
4. Ryan Braun (LF)
5. Corey Hart (RF)
6. Bill Hall (3B)
7. J.J. Hardy (SS)
8. Ben Sheets (P)
9. Jason Kendall (C)

This is the lineup Ned has gone with most of the spring, so there are no major surprises here, but I do have a few comments about the lineup:

• I am still not sold on the pitcher hitting in the eighth spot, but I think Ned is. Knowing him, he will do it Opening Day and then randomly throughout 2008.
• Other than the pitcher batting eighth, I really like the batting order. Hopefully Ned will keep a consistent lineup all season.
• When Mike Cameron returns, he will just replace Tony Gwynn in the two spot.
• Since it sounds like J.J. Hardy caught the plague, there is a chance that Craig Counsell or Joe  Dillon could start in his place, but I am banking on him recovering by Monday.
• I don't have any bold predictions this season like I did last season when I said that Braun should be the starting third basemen.

I guess I might as well pick My 5 (the starting rotation), too, since that appears to be more of a challenge this season.

1. Ben Sheets
2. Jeff Suppan
3. Carlos Villaneuva
4. Claudio Vargas
5. Manny Parra

Since there are four guys fighting for the last three spots it is really a crapshoot. Here are a few additional notes on the rotation:

• That leaves Dave Bush on the outside looking in. He will be placed in the bullpen in a long relief role.
• There is a chance that Parra starts the season in Nashville with Bush in the rotation, but like I said in My 25, I think Ned will get his way and have 13 pitchers on the roster when they break camp.
• When Gallardo returns, I think Seth McClung will be sent down and the pitcher with the worst first start between the final three in the rotation will be moved to the bullpen.
• I have Vargas in the fourth spot in the rotation since that will be Opening Day in Milwaukee. He will be able to handle the pressure of a home opener better than Parra or Villanueva.