It's August 1, five days away from the 42nd HBL All-Star game and knee deep into the HBL season. Kenosha has just passed Rochester for the top spot in the North and Springfield and Lafayette are dead even for the South wildcard spot behind a surprising Canton squad but not a single person is talking about the races. Everyone is talking about the triple crown. It has been well documented that there have been nine triple crowns in 41 HBL seasons but this year is special. With just about 35 games left on the schedule all four Triple Crowns are up for grabs. Some are more likely to come to fruition than others but it sure makes the end of the 2019 season more interesting.
South Pitching Triple Crown: 1% chance
SP Mike Landers (LAF) - 14 WINS(1st), 2.30 ERA(1st), 111 K(9th)
Landers holds a one win lead over SIX other South pitchers but more daunting is his 36 K deficit where he would have to pass eight foes in order to claim the top spot. Landers is having a fine season but he will not win the South Pitching Triple Crown.
North Pitching Triple Crown: 60% chance
SP Dillon Anderson (KEN) - 14-7(2nd), 2.60 ERA(1st), 158 K(1st)
Dillon Anderson has been here before winning the Crown in 2016. He is two wins behind Davenport's Nick Robinson for the North lead and he holds a 14 K lead over Cecil Wright. His ERA is .21 better than Brandon Chandler and he has a very good offense behind him. Dillon has a shot at his third North Pitcher of the Year Award and his second North Pitching Triple Crown.
North Hitting Triple Crown: 80% chance
CF Bill Burks (CR) - .407(1st), 45 HR(1st), 100 RBI(1st)
Duluth OF Jesse Richmond is having a great 2019 season and he may be the only thing standing in the way of Rookie sensation Bill Burks and the second ever HBL Hitting Triple Crown. Burks has a 21 point lead over fellow rookie Lyle Solon of Bay City and a nine homer lead over Richmond but the eight year veteran is just four RBI behind the new guy. And don't count out the "Legend" David Howard who now sits at .383 and third in batting average.
South Hitting Triple Crown: 95% chance
LF Dax Palmer (PB) - .344(1st), 34 HR(1st), 87 RBI(1st)
Burks is having a huge season but sometimes its who you are not competing against as much as who you are. Fellow rookie Dax Palmer has a less impressive stat line but a better chance of winning the Triple Crown due to his competition. Palmer's top competition for the batting crown, Canton's Matt Gamble, is out for the season so barring a complete collapse the rookie will win the batting title. He has a nine homer lead and an 11 RBI lead over Chris Moore, also of Canton. On top of that Palmer seems to be getting stronger with the just finished month of July being his best of the season so far.
If I was a betting man I'd put my money on Palmer but one thing is for sure, the finish to the 2019 HBL season will be a lot of fun to watch!