Seattles' New Saving Grace- Erik Bedard and Felix Hernandez

When Erik Bedard came to Seattle a little over a year ago, he was expected to be the key addition to send this team to the playoffs.

When Bedard actually started pitching, he was nothing close to his 2007 Cy Young contending form of 13-5, 3.16 ERA and 221 strikeouts, instead, he went 6-4, 3.67 ERA and 72 strikeouts. 

Cy Young worthy, I don't think so.

Meanwhile, Felix Hernandez was predicted to breakout of his youthful shell and become what everyone thought he could be—the best pitcher in the MLB.

As many of you know, he finished 2008 with a 9-11 record, 3.45 ERA and 175 strike-outs.

That was with missing a few starts, so had he not been injured for three to four starts his numbers should have been around 10-12, 3.45 ERA and 194 strike-outs.

Now we are getting somewhere.

What can we expect from these two starters in 2009?

Are they the next Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, or are they the next Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson?

Let's hope it's the latter one. Bedard is a fairly young pitcher while King Felix is only 22-years-old.

If they both stay healthy and the defense proves to be the best as expected, you can expect these kind of stats:

Erik Bedard: 3.09 ERA, 234 strikeouts

Felix Hernandez: 3.17 ERA, 202 strikeouts

However, if Bedard gets injured again and the defense falters you can expect stats similar to these:

Erik Bedard: 3.59 ERA, 126 strikeouts

Felix Hernandez: 3.41 ERA, 173 strikeouts

Not quite the dynamic duo we were looking for, but it is a possibility.

Will these two be spending their time together as a brilliant one-two punch in the rotation or on the bench crying about their arms?

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?