At the half-way point of the month, it doesn't look like it will be a good season for those who love tight pennant races.
The Chicago Fire have essentially wrapped things up in the SJL West, with only San Antonio not mathematically eliminated among their divisional opponents. And that will likely change in a few days, with the Fire's magic number down to 2.
The Philadelphia Mud Hens have had a strong second half of the season and at least are trying to give Washington a bit of competition, but it's still unlikely that they will catch up to the Night Train. Everyone else has been eliminated from contention in the SJL East.
San Francisco, after a very strong first half of the season, continues to be lackluster in the second half, but they still look like they will easily take the MGL West pennant over Denver and L.A. This division has been the weakest in the WPK this season, which is unusual, and only one team (the St. Louis Redbirds) are officially out of contention.
And over in the MGL East, the Oklahoma City Diamond Kings, led by their deep and talented starting rotation, should easily win the division for the 3rd time in the past 4 seasons. Baltimore is clinging to the slimmest of hopes while everyone else has already had hope extinguished.
The other day the WPK saw its first No-Hitter since mid-August of the 1984 season (there were 3 no-hitters in '84, including a Perfect Game for Jon Harrington). Chris Sheehan, a two-way player probably more known for this bat, speed, and Gold Glove level play in center field, got his first career no-no, and the 4th in Charlotte Sting franchise history (2 of the first 3 were hurled by Mike Hiatt), in a victory over St. Louis.
Speaking of fine pitching performances, the Brewers
Eric Fehrenbacher, one of several starting pitchers trying to make an impression down the stretch as they compete for slots in next year's rotation, has had two strong starts in September thus far, including a 6-hit shutout gem against Detroit yesterday.
With
Stephen Brooks continuing to struggle and
Jose Corpeno getting blown out in his most recent start two days ago (and out of minor league options after this season),
Fehrenbacher and hard-throwing
Alex Canty currently seem to be the front-runners to at least get the first shots at filling out the 1986 rotation.
Eric Maisch's most recent injury turned out to be an elbow strain, concerning but not at this time serious, and he is just now considered ready to pitch again after sitting out for two weeks.
Speaking of Denver starters,
Austin Bond saw his 16-game Quality Start streak end in his most recent start, and even that one saw him last 7 innings and give up just 4 runs with 3 K's and no walks, although he did allow 13 hits and the Brewers lost to Detroit 4-1.
