2011 Set - Kansas City Royals

The Royals lineup has a few Showdown friendly cards. Alex Gordon is an early pick, in my opinion, being one of the few LF/RF cards with +2 defense. He’s also a 9 OB, Speed A bat with a solid chart – the type of card you could bat 1, 2, or 3. Billy Butler is another reasonably priced high OB bat with some power. If you’re more inclined toward low OB cards with big charts, check out Jeff Francouer and his 5 doubles starting at 12. Finally, Pennant rookie foil Salvador Perez is a solid catcher bat.

The pitching is not good, aside from a few draftable bullpen arms. All the starters are 2 or 3 Control, and none above a tier-4. Maybe Danny Duffy or Kyle Davies is your 4th starter if you want to rely heavily on bullpen days when it’s his turn to pitch.

2011 Set - Chicago White Sox

The White Sox have plenty of holes, but they also have a few interesting cards. Far from their 2005 World Series glory, but nothing like the 2024 trainwreck of a team.

Paul Konerko is an affordable, solid bat, but when mixed in with Todd Helton, Carlos Pena, Aramis Ramirez, Jim Thome, and Travis Hafner, I wonder if he gets lost in the crowd. Brent Lillibridge is a versatile A Speed card with lots of power and only 2 chart outs, but is he still too expensive at 350 points?

Value-wise, the star of the show is Juan Pierre.

2011 Set - Cleveland Indians

Cleveland Indians fans are well represented in the Showdown revival community, so I hope the wait is worth it for this Cleveland team. They finished 2nd in the AL Central in 2011, just under .500 with 80 wins. This team is full of average players. The highest point starter is 420 points. The highest point position player is 300 points. That said, there is value to be found, for sure.

I like Shin-Soo Choo at 200 points for an 8 OB, A Speed, with a homer on his chart. Travis Hafner is an affordable 9 OB that can hit. Will anyone pick up Mitch Talbot to be their 4th starter? He’s a 3 Control, 5 IP, tier-6 starter for 10 points. 

2011 Set - Detroit Tigers

We’ve finally reached my favorite team, my hometown Detroit Tigers. A year before their 2012 World Series appearance, this team was strong, with AL MVP, Cy Young and Triple Crown winner Justin Verlander leading the pack. He’s the highest point card in the set, as well as a great looking card featuring a throwback uni.

The second best card on the team would be many team’s best: Miguel Cabrera with 11 OB. (There’s still another 11 OB to come.) He’s not a walk-heavy, C-speed card either; it’s a good chart that feels like a deal at 550 points. Miggy gets an alt-foil as well. 

2011 Set - Seattle Mariners

The lineup is bad, but the pitching is good, especially the rotation.

Am I talking about the Seattle Mariners? Yup. 2024 season? Actually, no. The 2011 Mariners had this description in common with this past season’s team.

Doug Fister was only the third best starter in this rotation, and he was traded to Detroit at the deadline. (Pennant Run card with the Tigers incoming!) “King” Felix Hernadez leads the rotation in points. Don’t miss his “alt-foil” card.

2011 Set - Oakland Athletics

The Oakland A’s always look so cool on the green cards. No other teams look quite like them. Some of the best looking cards in the set are from the A’s due to the color, not my cutout work.

The team itself is not great, though there are some fun, draftable cards. The pitching is definitely the strength here, with 4 starters for 400+ points, headed by ace Brandon McCarthy, and 3 relievers for 200+ points. I like Jemile Weeks and Chad Willingham on the offensive side, but there isn’t much else to speak of. (Anyone drafting Daric Barton

2011 Set - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels biggest strength is their rotation. They have two foils, but could have gotten three. Their bullpen is strong too, all ranging from 180-300 points. The lineup is much weaker, but with a few bright-ish spots. OG Showdown star Bobby Abreu is still a decent (and affordable) leadoff hitter here. Howie Kendrick brings great 2B defense and a powerful chart. Mark Trumbo brings the low OB pop. Overall not great, but reinforcements are coming…

The Rangers and Giants may have gained more overall with their Pennant Run additions in 2011, but the Angels have a September call-up who won ROTY the following season. In my opinion, no single player improves a team from base set to Pennant Run like rookie foil Mike Trout.