[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 3-5
Seasonal Record: 45-37 (3rd, 5 GB)
Stars of the Week
Don Lee : 27 AB, 9 H, 3 HR, 10 RBI, .333 AVG, 1.141 OPS
Billy Riley : 1 Win, 9.0 IP, 4 BB, 4 K, 0.00 ERA
Skipper Schneider : 29 AB, 9 H, 0 HR, 2 RBI, .310 AVG, .720 OPS

Schedule
7-3: Loss vs Foresters (9-2)
7-4: Win vs Foresters (3-5)
7-4: Win vs Foresters (1-7)
7-5: Win vs Foresters (0-6)
7-6: Loss vs Wolves (3-2)
7-7: Loss vs Wolves (5-1)
7-8: Loss vs Wolves (2-1)
7-8: Loss vs Wolves (5-3)

Recap
Yay! Way to stumble into the break... We started out well, taking three of four from the Foresters, but the Wolves propelled themselves to first by taking all four games in Chicago. This really ruined things for us, as we enter the break five games out of first place and closer to fourth (3.5 GA) then second (4.5 GB). The only good "five" is the amount of All-Stars we have, but the only starter is the injured Cliff Moss. It would be Moss' 4th All Star game, as he hit an elite .317/.387/.504 (154 OPS+) with 10 homers and 44 RBIs. Joining him at the game will be repeat customers Skipper Schneider (5th) and Ben Curtin (3rd), as well as two newbies in Don Lee and Rusty Petrick. If it wasn't for the Saints Bill Greene (.298, 14, 58, 12) who owns a 159 WRC+, 4 WAR, and 41 extra base hits. Lee has a slightly better 164 WRC+ to go with 5 homers, 11 steals, and 36 RBIs, but in 100 less trips to the plate. Petrick, who got in as a reliever, has actually been our best starter, going 7-7 with 2 saves, a 2.98 ERA (121 ERA+), 1.28 WHIP, 63 walks, and 67 strikeouts. They won't have to travel, as Cougars Park will host the midsummer classic this year.

We struggled most of the week, but Billy Riley tossed his second shutout in three starts. Riley allowed 4 hits and 4 walks with 4 strikeouts in our 6-0 win over the Foresters. George Oddo had a decent start himself, going 8 with 7 hits, 3 runs, a walk, and 4 strikeouts in a close 3-2 loss to the Wolves. Harry Parker picked up a win and loss, starting with a rare complete game win over the Foresters. He allowed 9 hits, 3 runs, and a walk with 2 strikeouts. He went just 6.2 against the Wolves, leaving with 7 hits, 2 runs, a walk, and 4 strikeouts. The All-Star Petrick also split his decisions, tossing a complete game win over the Foresters with 4 hits, a run, 3 walks, and 3 strikeouts. He went all nine against the Wolves too, allowing 7 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), and 5 walks with 3 strikeouts. Art White lost both his starts, and he didn't look good in either. Combined, he allowed 19 hits, 11 runs (9 earned), and 6 walks with just one strikeout in 16 innings pitched. At the half way point, he's the only starter in our rotation with an ERA+ below 100, as his 3.68 nominal mark coincides with a 98 ERA+. If we keep falling, the almost 34-year-old might be shopped around to a team looking to compete, and his leadership will be crucial in a pennant race. Our staff is still strong, ranked 3rd in runs allowed, and top three in everything except WAR (6th), homers (7th), and walks (4th).

The offense struggled to score, but rookie All-Star Don Lee put together a Player of the Week worthy showing. The 23-year-old is red hot, going 9-for-27 with a double, 3 homers, 2 steals, 5 walks, 6 runs, and 10 RBIs. Lee has dominated in July, slashing .371/.463/.657 (219 OPS+), and if he doesn't win Rookie of the Month, I may have to stage a formal protest. Fellow All-Star Skipper Schneider was the only other everyday player to offer much at the plate, going 9-for-29 with a double, steal, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, and 3 walks. Of course, I'm biased, but I think he should have started over Charlie Artuso, as they have near identical batting stats with Skipper being a far better fielder. Still, Skipper has been one of the few bright spots on both sides of the field for us, on a 10+ WAR pace with a 111 WRC+. Ollie Page and Rich Langton really ended poorly, finishing 11-for-52, with Page's two run homer the only extra base hit. The Browning and Rich platoon had far less success, combining to go 6-for-28 with Browning's double the only extra base hit. If this week taught me one thing, it's that we're clearly the third wheel in the pennant race, and I think it's only a matter of time before we drop out completely. Against teams over .500, we're just 12-22, which is not a recipe for success.

Looking Ahead
Plenty of rest this week, before we hit the road for a three game set with the Foresters. Cleveland has just one All-Star, and its rather a surprise inclusion, as Brooks Meeks will represent the team in the cellar. He hit .261/.290/.409 (91 OPS+) in the first half with 13 doubles, 4 triples, 6 homers, and 28 RBIs. Obviously none of their pitchers are worthy, but Lou Balk (.298, 8, 36, 3) and Jim Adams Jr. (.254, 1, 30, 7) have been far better hitters. What helps Meeks is second is a rather week position, and he is one of the better ones. This could open him up for a trade, but the Wolves and Cannons are set at second, so we don't have to worry about them adding a decent hitter.

We hit the road again after, as we'll start a series in Philly with a double header. The Sailors (40-41) sit a game below .500, and have a pair of All-Stars. Even after a few rough starts, Win Lewis has still been excellent, going 7-6 with a 3.00 ERA (125 ERA+), 1.27 WHIP, 31 walks, and 55 strikeouts in his 19 starts. He'll join battery mate Bill Watson, who is hitting .269/.360/.363 (99 OPS+) with 5 doubles, 2 triples, 4 homers, and 25 RBIs. His WRC+ (116) is far better due to a lot of walks and not many extra base hits, but I think his spot could have been filled better by the Stars' Chick MacKnight (.268, 4, 26). I'll dive deeper into them tomorrow, but even with us starting on the road, we've got a decent shot of getting back on the right foot.

Minor League Report
RHP Bill Tuttle (AAA Milwaukee Blues): His name has come up in trade talks recently, but Tuttle has continued to hold a rotation spot with the Blues. He was brilliant as the Blues hosted the Hoosiers, tossing a 4-hit shutout with 4 strikeouts to improve to 6-4 on the season. He owns an impressive 3.01 ERA (125 ERA+) and 2.98 FIP (79 FIP-) with a 1.21 WHIP, 34 walks, and 46 strikeouts through 83.2 innings pitched. Now 26, Tuttle has still failed to debut, and he's in his last option year. He'll have an inside edge on a September callup, and his stuff may play well out of the pen. He has an early 5 K/9 this season and if he can limit the walks, he'll be very tough to square up. His cutter is a high velo pitch, sitting in the mid 90s comfortably, and his change and split are decent compliments. Tuttle could fill the back of a rotation, but with all the troops coming home, he may have missed his chance.

SS George Sutterfield (AAA Milwaukee Blues): Tuttle's shutout wasn't the only highlight of the day, as George Sutterfield supported him with a 5-for-5 rampage. Getting some reps at second, our 4th ranked prospect would likely have been called up this week if it wasn't for the All Star break, and assuming we aren't embarrassed by the Foresters, he'll join the club next week. The talented 23-year-old is hitting .300/.356/.425 (118 OPS+) with 19 doubles, 3 triples, 3 homers, 5 steals, and 41 RBIs. His 126 WRC+ and 2.3 WAR are both extremely impressive, and he's been an above average defender at both second and short. Ranked as the 29th best prospect in the game, the hard working infielder has shown impact potential both in the field and at the plate. He can range far to his left and right to scoop up groundballs, and he has the arm strength to steal out after out for his pitcher. He's improved his pitch recognition skills already, and he hits the ball hard and often. He pulls liner after liner to the left side of the field, and with his speed he'll leg out numerous extra base hits. I don't imagine he'll ever hit many homers, but neither does Skipper and that hasn't stopped him from being elite. Tom Weinstock actually thinks Sutterfield will be even better, which is a heavy task continuing Skipper's current placement at #3 in the FABL. The sky truly is the limit for Sutterfield, and I expect he'll be a fixture in our lineup for years to come. Whether that's at third, second, short, or a little bit of all three, he's going to be a crucial member of what we can only hope will be a championship team.