I think they have a really balanced offense this year as far as guys that can get on, and obviously the power that they have in the middle of the lineup. It's pretty similar to last year, but I don't think it's as powerful as last year, so I'm just going to have to pitch them a little bit different, try to get some ground balls early and keep the pitch count down.

Brandon Backe

Related Quotes

If you go to a different ballpark, I know it's 60 feet, 6 inches from the rubber the plate, but the backgrounds are much different. Some plates look like they're closer than others. Some mounds are different than others. I really don't know ... there's no excuse.

— Brandon Backe

He hit good pitches. I can't even say much about it. He didn't even roll over on me. He just got under them. There's really nothing else I can say about it. Fastballs away, right where I wanted to put them.

— Brandon Backe

I don't think (the lineup) is as powerful as last year, so (I'm) just going to have to pitch them a little bit different, try to get some ground balls early and keep the pitch count down,

— Brandon Backe

To be honest with you, I think last year it maybe was a little bit more potent in the lineup,

— Brandon Backe

but 60 percent is not going to get outs.

— Brandon Backe