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reds1 · 07-11-2015, 12:29 AM

November 1, 1938

Eastern League: Monarchs Reign Supreme

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If there’s one lesson that Season 2 is teaching us one month into class, it’s that this is not Season 1. Last year’s doormat, the Braeland City Monarchs, is enjoying the view from the penthouse in the Eastern League. Now, this is just one month of course, not a whole season, so we mustn’t get ahead of ourselves. But still, baseball fans are certainly enjoying the uncertainty of the early season, where just 4.5 games separate top spot from 7th. Here’s hoping the rest of the way continues as a free for all.

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Here a look at the top 3 teams in the East:

For the first two weeks in October, the Braeland City Monarchs were losing twice as many games as they won (4-8) and everything was going according to script. But then, they found their groove and went 13-3 the rest of the way. Heading into November, they find themselves in first place, a half-game up on the Stratford Barons. Offense has been the main story, as the Monarchs lead in a host of batting stats. But their pitching has not been bad either, finishing 1st in ERA (3.48) and 2nd in Starters’ ERA (3.44). Standout performances not only propelled the club to the top of the standings, but also captured all three Player of the Month honours in the East.

Key Injuries: 40-year old relief pitcher RHP Hyo-cheong Yu is injured again, having suffered a torn elbow ligament in Spring Training. He is expected back in two weeks. Maybe.

Performance Highlights: A pair of rookies helped propel the Monarchs to the top of the standings in October and both enjoyed 5-hit games.

First, Adam Ashley went 5 for 6 against the Embro Suns on October 6, as the Monarchs blocked out the Suns 14-6. Ashley doubled in the 1st, tripled in the 2nd, singled in the 4th, hit an RBI single in the 5th, flied out in the 7th and hit an RBI single in the 8th. The speedy Ashley currently leads off in the batting order for Braeland City.

On October 30, Trevor Bolen went 5 for 5 against the Stratford Barons. Bolen singled in the 2nd, singled in the 4th, doubled in the 5th, hit a two-run double in the 6th and hit an RBI single in the 8th. The Monarchs won 8-7. Bolen, who was the first overall pick in last season’s amateur draft, has settled in nicely, batting 4th against righties and 5th against lefties. He is also seeing playing time at both 2B and LF.

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If not for the Monarchs, the Stratford Barons would have been the talk of October, as they compiled a 16-11 record. The Barons appear to be a nicely balanced team, averaging 1st to 3rd in a majority of categories. Only in Starters’ ERA (5th – 4.02) are they below average thus far.

Key Injuries: RHP Finley Van tore an elbow ligament in Spring Training; he is expected to miss another 8 weeks.

Performance Highlight: C Gavin Hurley has been sensational for the Barons in the early going and enjoyed a 5 for 5 game against the Downie Chiefs on October 4. Hurley singled in the 1st, hit an RBI double in the 3rd, singled in the 5th, singled in the 7th, singled in the 8th and flied out in the 9th (sac fly). Despite his efforts, the Barons lost 10-9 in the bottom of the 9th.

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The Embro Suns are hot on the heels of the Monarchs and Barons, as they finished October with a 16-12 record. Offensively, they are just fine, averaging 2nd-3rd in most categories, but are struggling in pitching and defense. Starter’s ERA (7th-4.12) and defensive eff. (7th-.664) will have to improve for them to maintain their success.

Key Injuries: 1B Anthony Stavely (.330/.373/.593, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 15 R, 7 BB), one of the League’s top players, was hit by a pitch and fractured his cheekbone in a game against the Barons back on October 15. He is out for another 4 weeks.

07-11-2015, 12:29 AM	#99
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	November 1, 1938 Eastern League: Monarchs Reign Supreme -------- If there’s one lesson that Season 2 is teaching us one month into class, it’s that this is not Season 1. Last year’s doormat, the Braeland City Monarchs, is enjoying the view from the penthouse in the Eastern League. Now, this is just one month of course, not a whole season, so we mustn’t get ahead of ourselves. But still, baseball fans are certainly enjoying the uncertainty of the early season, where just 4.5 games separate top spot from 7th. Here’s hoping the rest of the way continues as a free for all. --------- Here a look at the top 3 teams in the East: For the first two weeks in October, the Braeland City Monarchs were losing twice as many games as they won (4-8) and everything was going according to script. But then, they found their groove and went 13-3 the rest of the way. Heading into November, they find themselves in first place, a half-game up on the Stratford Barons. Offense has been the main story, as the Monarchs lead in a host of batting stats. But their pitching has not been bad either, finishing 1st in ERA (3.48) and 2nd in Starters’ ERA (3.44). Standout performances not only propelled the club to the top of the standings, but also captured all three Player of the Month honours in the East. Key Injuries: 40-year old relief pitcher RHP Hyo-cheong Yu is injured again, having suffered a torn elbow ligament in Spring Training. He is expected back in two weeks. Maybe. Performance Highlights: A pair of rookies helped propel the Monarchs to the top of the standings in October and both enjoyed 5-hit games. First, Adam Ashley went 5 for 6 against the Embro Suns on October 6, as the Monarchs blocked out the Suns 14-6. Ashley doubled in the 1st, tripled in the 2nd, singled in the 4th, hit an RBI single in the 5th, flied out in the 7th and hit an RBI single in the 8th. The speedy Ashley currently leads off in the batting order for Braeland City. On October 30, Trevor Bolen went 5 for 5 against the Stratford Barons. Bolen singled in the 2nd, singled in the 4th, doubled in the 5th, hit a two-run double in the 6th and hit an RBI single in the 8th. The Monarchs won 8-7. Bolen, who was the first overall pick in last season’s amateur draft, has settled in nicely, batting 4th against righties and 5th against lefties. He is also seeing playing time at both 2B and LF. -------- If not for the Monarchs, the Stratford Barons would have been the talk of October, as they compiled a 16-11 record. The Barons appear to be a nicely balanced team, averaging 1st to 3rd in a majority of categories. Only in Starters’ ERA (5th – 4.02) are they below average thus far. Key Injuries: RHP Finley Van tore an elbow ligament in Spring Training; he is expected to miss another 8 weeks. Performance Highlight: C Gavin Hurley has been sensational for the Barons in the early going and enjoyed a 5 for 5 game against the Downie Chiefs on October 4. Hurley singled in the 1st, hit an RBI double in the 3rd, singled in the 5th, singled in the 7th, singled in the 8th and flied out in the 9th (sac fly). Despite his efforts, the Barons lost 10-9 in the bottom of the 9th. -------- The Embro Suns are hot on the heels of the Monarchs and Barons, as they finished October with a 16-12 record. Offensively, they are just fine, averaging 2nd-3rd in most categories, but are struggling in pitching and defense. Starter’s ERA (7th-4.12) and defensive eff. (7th-.664) will have to improve for them to maintain their success. Key Injuries: 1B Anthony Stavely (.330/.373/.593, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 15 R, 7 BB), one of the League’s top players, was hit by a pitch and fractured his cheekbone in a game against the Barons back on October 15. He is out for another 4 weeks. Last edited by reds1; 07-01-2017 at 06:51 PM.