We're 26 games into the season, so it's time for a snapshot of what's going on around the league.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
- The best team in the National League thus far hasn't been the defending champion Austin City Limits or the Fargo Dirtbags, who just ran off 10 straight wins. No, the best team thus far has been Washington at 19-7. They're an astounding 14-2 at home and former MVP Luis Martinez is off to a torrid start. In addition, they're getting help from AAA in the form of Andrew Clayton and Matty Pena. Yikes.
- Fargo is 17-9, but Kansas City is only one game back at 16-10. They might be for real.
- The East is already shaping up to be a good 3 team race. Washington doesn't look like it's going anywhere, and Atlanta is always right there at the end. But Trenton is a force as well (and they'd be even more dangerous with something vaguely resembling a bullpen)- they have a solid lineup and 5 legitimate starters.
- Does anyone want to win the West? Salt Lake City and Salem are tied at 11-15, although I have to think Salt Lake City will turn it on at some point.
- The South has some early contenders, but it's too early to tell. We know Austin at 16-10 is a real contender, but New Orleans is right there at 15-11 and Huntington is close at 13-13. Questions remain about both teams' pitching staffs (Huntington only due to Gates's injury), so it remains to be seen if either or both will be mentioned as a contender 100 games from now.
- Vancouver's offense didn't hear about the rollover to season 10. They're averaging 3.8 runs a game (only Pittsburgh and Norfolk are worse in the NL) and are 10-16.
- In addition to Martinez (.395-9-28), New Orleans's Ray Cepicky (.434-12-28) and Huntington's Willie Scott (.362-8-29 are off to very hot starts.
- In a division with Carter Leonard, David Dunwoody, Dwight Salmon, Fred Carter, Kaz Whang, and Santiago Perez, the two best starters in the NL East have been Trenton's Jason Sprague (4-0, 1.84) and Washington's John Balfour (2-0, 1.86). Can you say depth, ladies and gentlemen?
AMERICAN LEAGUE
- Monterrey (21-5) is the class of the league thus far. They're a balanced team- they have 11 guys with at least 10 RBI. They don't lose at home (10-3) or on the road (11-2).
- Jackson (16-11) and Montgomery (15-11) could make the AL South as competitive as the NL East.
- On the down side, one might think that Charlotte (4-22) could win more than 4 by accident.
- Cincinnati (16-10) and Milwaukee (13-13) are both ahead of AL North favorite St. Louis (12-14), although Cincinnati started hot last season and faded fast. We'll see if they have some staying power this season.
- Ditto New York (15-11), currently leading Louisville by one game.
- The West is a jumble. Seattle (14-12), Anaheim (13-13), Cheyenne (12-14), and Boise (10-16) all look pretty much the same right now- decent teams with serious flaws.
- Buffalo's A.J. Leonard (.352-11-27), Scranton's Victor Mercado (.300-11-34), Seattle's Osvaldo Johnson (.255-10-30), and Monterrey's Sean Simpson (.405-9-26) are hot to start the season.
- Cincinnati's Louie Bolivar (6-0, 2.02) and Monterrey's Luther Brush (5-0, 2.54) are leading their teams to division leads right now.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
The War Cry Gazzette
It is an off day for us and we are trying to gather our focus. Anaheim came to town and swept us as they could be headed for the division title this season provided things hold together for them. I wouldn't say we were exactly swash buckled in the series but more or less thwarted every step of the way somehow. Game 1 saw them get timely hitting and we didn't. Game 2 the saw the pen taking the day off as they hit and hit and hit some more. Game 3 however was in our hip pocket so to speak until Adrian Hendrickson took the mound in the 6th inning and couldn't find the strike zone walking 4 straight, I really think the ump had it in for us.
Our old nemesis St Louis is in town for a three game set. By odd choice an off day is thrown in during the series as we eked out a win in the first game after giving up 4 runs in the first inning but shut down their offense after that and used the long ball to get back in it.
Gumby is right about the team this year. I have no clue how this team will finish but I do like Cheyenne much better than Las Vegas or Helena. The team itself has not changed much from last year in all reality, so I am really optimistic. Juan Chavez was gotten cheap in the FA market and has provided us with a good lead-off hitter. Paul Ingram was actually a miss-click on my part as he was someone I really didn't want as there was a better choice available. Chuck Reed was traded for because I favor good defensive catchers over power hitting ones with inadequate defensive stats. Chuck was actually an upgrade hitting wise also, not much but hopefully significant. Johnny Guerrero and Edwin Corey are both rookies more or less and neither are not hitting like I expected so far.
It may be early in the season, but already examining the prospects in AAA. Zeke McDonald is showing signs that Paul Ingram may have been a huge mistake on my part. Dave Cosby says that Edwin Corey might have been the wrong choice also. The trade for Wade Hayes may have been a great pickup, though the jury is still out waiting to see if he makes some strides early this season. John Cho, Andrew Hermanson, Victor Valenzuela and Carlos Nunez are also pitching well. All four may not be all that great but will have to do in a pinch at the ML level. We have our eyes on a couple other potential MLers further down the line in the minors also.
Our attention will soon turn toward the draft this year as will everyones. We have three picks in the top 100. We spent more on scouting this year to more or less take some of the strenuous guess work out, hopefully. We have future holes to fill so the first pick has to be somewhat of a star for a change in some shape, way or form.
A question from the Bipster, "If things go south this season, will the vets be up for auction before or after the deadline?" The answer to that question is a wait and see, several of the contracts are in the final season for a couple players that could find their way onto a contender for the right price. Some have short contracts that could also be very attractive to a contender. His following question threw us for a loop though, "Is it time to dismantle and start over?" That was probably the most thought provoking question of the day that I couldn't really answer.
Our old nemesis St Louis is in town for a three game set. By odd choice an off day is thrown in during the series as we eked out a win in the first game after giving up 4 runs in the first inning but shut down their offense after that and used the long ball to get back in it.
Gumby is right about the team this year. I have no clue how this team will finish but I do like Cheyenne much better than Las Vegas or Helena. The team itself has not changed much from last year in all reality, so I am really optimistic. Juan Chavez was gotten cheap in the FA market and has provided us with a good lead-off hitter. Paul Ingram was actually a miss-click on my part as he was someone I really didn't want as there was a better choice available. Chuck Reed was traded for because I favor good defensive catchers over power hitting ones with inadequate defensive stats. Chuck was actually an upgrade hitting wise also, not much but hopefully significant. Johnny Guerrero and Edwin Corey are both rookies more or less and neither are not hitting like I expected so far.
It may be early in the season, but already examining the prospects in AAA. Zeke McDonald is showing signs that Paul Ingram may have been a huge mistake on my part. Dave Cosby says that Edwin Corey might have been the wrong choice also. The trade for Wade Hayes may have been a great pickup, though the jury is still out waiting to see if he makes some strides early this season. John Cho, Andrew Hermanson, Victor Valenzuela and Carlos Nunez are also pitching well. All four may not be all that great but will have to do in a pinch at the ML level. We have our eyes on a couple other potential MLers further down the line in the minors also.
Our attention will soon turn toward the draft this year as will everyones. We have three picks in the top 100. We spent more on scouting this year to more or less take some of the strenuous guess work out, hopefully. We have future holes to fill so the first pick has to be somewhat of a star for a change in some shape, way or form.
A question from the Bipster, "If things go south this season, will the vets be up for auction before or after the deadline?" The answer to that question is a wait and see, several of the contracts are in the final season for a couple players that could find their way onto a contender for the right price. Some have short contracts that could also be very attractive to a contender. His following question threw us for a loop though, "Is it time to dismantle and start over?" That was probably the most thought provoking question of the day that I couldn't really answer.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Traffic Jam
Funny thing is, I said to myself "I think it's time for a Traffic Jam report" as I opened up the blog and saw the last War Cry Gazette post wondering where the Traffic Jam report is.
The team has started 6-5, losing the first game of our 3 game set with Norfolk (a bit of a disappointing game), but I think the fans have to be encouraged by going 6-4 against Atlanta, Washington, and Salt Lake City- a tough way to open the season. After finishing with Norfolk, the Traffic will embark on a 6 game road trip to San Juan and Helena, who are both 3-8 at this point.
While the offense isn't clicking on all cylinders, a few hitters are off to blistering starts. Stephen Mills is hitting .375 with 5 homers and 12 RBI in 11 games, and Vasco Lopez has driven in 10. 5 guys (Mills, Lopez, Watty Miller, Cap Herrera, and Dewey Greenwood) are hitting above .300. On the cold side, Ryan Snyder is hitting .208 and Bret King is hitting .255.
The pitching is a tale of two units. The starting staff is having the best of times, with David Dunwoody (1-0, 4.91) the only starter with an ERA over 2 thus far. The bullpen has seen the worst of times, with no reliever who has pitched more than 3 innings being able to hold the league to under .300.
The team has started 6-5, losing the first game of our 3 game set with Norfolk (a bit of a disappointing game), but I think the fans have to be encouraged by going 6-4 against Atlanta, Washington, and Salt Lake City- a tough way to open the season. After finishing with Norfolk, the Traffic will embark on a 6 game road trip to San Juan and Helena, who are both 3-8 at this point.
While the offense isn't clicking on all cylinders, a few hitters are off to blistering starts. Stephen Mills is hitting .375 with 5 homers and 12 RBI in 11 games, and Vasco Lopez has driven in 10. 5 guys (Mills, Lopez, Watty Miller, Cap Herrera, and Dewey Greenwood) are hitting above .300. On the cold side, Ryan Snyder is hitting .208 and Bret King is hitting .255.
The pitching is a tale of two units. The starting staff is having the best of times, with David Dunwoody (1-0, 4.91) the only starter with an ERA over 2 thus far. The bullpen has seen the worst of times, with no reliever who has pitched more than 3 innings being able to hold the league to under .300.
The War Cry Gazzette
No surprises from New York as we took two games of the three game set. My strategy worked as New York didn't get a chance to come from behind. The second game saw New York pick heavily on my left-handed starter and it made me very antsy about starting another for game three.
Anaheim is coming to town and they look monstrous on offense! Pitching looks a bit homer happy though which may be our best ally.
Edwin Corey had a great spring but is barely hitting his weight so far. Then again Wally Harvey and Will Weston are in slumps also.
No Traffic Jam report yet?
Anaheim is coming to town and they look monstrous on offense! Pitching looks a bit homer happy though which may be our best ally.
Edwin Corey had a great spring but is barely hitting his weight so far. Then again Wally Harvey and Will Weston are in slumps also.
No Traffic Jam report yet?
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Hall of Fame Remains Empty
For the second straight season, The Bigs Hall of Fame remains empty. The league again felt there was not a worthy candidate to induct into the hallowed halls. "This isn't a bad thing", said Trenton GM gumbercules. "I believe we should only induct the best and if we don't have one on the ballot, we shouldn't put a guy in just for the sake of inducting someone". It's likely the third election will be the charm, as Gregg Black recently announced his retirement and will be HOF eligible next season. When asked about Black, gumbercules added, "I think he'll be first and he should be first. In his heyday he was not only the best player in the league, but he put up insane numbers. That's a Hall-of-Famer in my eyes".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)