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Jiggy · 06-12-2023, 08:03 AM

The 2056 Professional Baseball Experience Minor League (MiLPBE) season has entered the stretch run, with the State College Swift Steeds leading the Chicago Kingpins by a neck in the East Division.

Only 29 games remain to decide a division winner and the who, what, where, and when the Kingpins will begin their postseason hunt for the franchise’s second MiLPBE World Series championship. Chicago has held State College’s pace, matching its streaks and slumps and remaining two games back in the race for nearly all of the regular season.

After a blistering 19-5 month of May, the Kingpins have stagnated somewhat over the summer. In June, they were exactly .500 with an 11-11 monthly record. In July, the club was 9-8 and so far in August, they are 4-3. With the level of talent that occupies State College’s roster, it’s a wonder that with these past few few months that Chicago has not lost any ground in the East Division standings. Heading into the fourth and final week of simulations for the 2056 season, the Kingpins still sit two games behind the Swifties – now with just 29 games left to play in the regular season.

Looking back at the schedule has left some in Chicago wondering what might have been. Through the months of June and July, there were several opportunities to make up ground to the Swifties that the Kingpins simply could not take advantage of. A couple of series in particular stand out.

Chicago was swept on the road by the California Firehawks in early June. At 32-47 (.405 winning percentage), the Firehawks currently own the worst record in the MiLPBE. A win in that series – as is expected of one of the league’s top teams – would have seen the Kingpins tied with the Swifties at this stage of the season.

In late June, the Kingpins dropped another road series to another lower tiered West Division opponent – this time the Amarillo Armadillos and this time a two-games-to-one series defeat. The Armadillos (37-42; .468 winning percentage) at this point in the season sit in fifth place out of six West Division teams.

Things seemed to have gotten better in July. Chicago opened the month by going 7-3 before losing four games in a row, one to the Firehawks and then three straight in a series sweep on the road to the Anchorage Wheelers. The Wheelers have steadily improved as the 2056 campaign has gone on, posting a 12-10 June, a 10-7 July, and a 4-3 August that has propelled them above .500 and up to third place in the West Division. Anchorage’s progression notwithstanding, had the Kingpins been able to salvage just one game in that road series, they would have found themselves at least one game closer to State College heading into the last week of simulations.

Chicago’s results have been far and away better at home (29-14; .674 winning percentage) than it has been on the road (17-19; .492 winning percentage). That could be problematic in terms of the team’s remaining schedule. The Kingpins play just 11 more games within the friendly confines of The Jose Forty-Three Stadium compared to 18 road games.

Who’s Hot?

Rookie second baseman Kent Murphy II has posted a .565 average over the last six games. Having joined the Kingpins’ roster as a midseason waiver pickup, this recent tear raised Murphy’s season slash line to .316/.365/.479. He’s hit five home runs in just 31 games, adding 23 RBIs. His presence has offered a tremendous lift to Chicago’s lineup with veterans like Jim Copeland Jr. hitting a bit of a midsummer slump (Copeland is batting just .120 through the last six games).

Reliever and longtime trusted stopper Gaslight Gatekeep Girlboss has also found her form during these dog days of summer. In her last 16 games, she’s posted 7 saves and a slim, tidy 1.11 ERA. This type of lights-out production is what the Kingpins front office expected would emerge even when Girlboss was struggling through much of the season. She began the year with a 9.64 ERA through April, and had just six total saves through the month of June. That seemed like an aberration for Girlboss, who led the MiLPBE with just a 2.38 ERA a season ago.

Otijomyzarc Kove fully broke out during July, slashing .368/.434/.500 with three homers. Kove’s productivity or lack thereof remains a vital component to Chicago’s overall offensive success – or lack thereof. And Kove has in more cases than not risen to the biggest of occasions. Kove is batting .471 with eight hits in 17 at bats with the bases loaded so far.

Who’s Not?

Chicago’s All-Star catcher, and one-time MVP candidate Santiago Benito has been on quite the downward trend since June, when he was still hitting .350. July saw the backstop collect just 17 hits in 66 at bats, good for a much lower .258 monthly average. Through August 9, Benito has just six hits in 28 at bats for an even lower .214 monthly average.

Rookie starter Ruggsy Witdaheelys may have finally hit a wall this season. The lefty is 0-2 with a 9.60 ERA over his last four starts. Monthly statistics show a fairly steady trend of opposing hitters learning how to square him up as the season has waned on. In April, he posted a 1.00 ERA. In May, it came up to 2.70. In June, it came up even higher to 4.56. In July, it ballooned to 7.31. The Kingpins will need Witdaheelys, who made the All Star Game based on his first-half performance, to stabilize if they hope to catch the Swift Steeds in these last 29 games.

Chicago’s other All Star left handed starter, Casey Shaffer, is facing similar struggles, though maybe not as pronounced as Witdaheelys. Shaffer has started 20 games for the Kingpins, but has logged just one decision win on the year. That’s primarily because he is average just 4.2 innings per start, mostly making him ineligible for decision wins. That lack of longevity was fine so long as he was holding opposing lineups down, which he has done through much of the season. He posted a 3.12 ERA in April, a 2.66 ERA in May, and a 3.86 ERA in June. But Shaffer has been knocked around a bit in his two starts so far in August, giving up eight runs in just 7.2 innings, which equates to a 9.39 ERA and just 3.6 innings per start. The hope with Shaffer is that early August is the exception and not an indication of any sort of new norm.

Remaining Schedule

August 10 and August 11 – vs. Amarillo Armadillos (37-42; .468 winning percengate)

Chicago is 4-3 against the Armadillos on the season. Amarillo has had some struggles on the road, where they are 17-23 (.423 winning percentage) and against left handed pitching in particular, which may bode well for the Kingpins who are expected to start lefties Witdaheelys and Shaffer in the final two games of this series.

August 13, 14, and 15 – at Florida Flamingos (38-41; .481 winning percentage)

The Flamingos have been up and down in the East Division this season. Florida at present is trending a bit downward, having gone just 3-7 over its last 10 games. The Flamingos are the only team in the minor leagues with a losing record at home (18-19), so Chicago shouldn’t have to fear any type of home field advantage, its own road woes notwithstanding. The Kingpins are 6-3 against the Flamingos this season.

August 17, 18, and 19 – at Brew City Bears (42-37; .532 winning percentage)

Brew City is tied with the Kansas City Hepcats atop the West Division and is a whopping 23-14 at home. The Kingpins are 5-4 against Brew City, but two of those series came in April and May when the Bears were still finding their way. Brew City went 13-9 (.590 winning percentage) in June and 11-6 (.647 winning percentage) in July, so the Bears are playing much better simulation baseball than they were in those early series.

August 20, 22, and 23 – vs State College Swift Steeds (48-31; .608 winning percentage)

There’s no better way to make up ground against a division opponent than playing that opponent directly. State College has shown itself susceptible when games are close late. The Swift Steeds are 11-13 in one-run games and just 3-7 when games go into extra innings. Chicago will have to score runs to keep up with the explosive State College offense, which ranks first in the league in every isolated team batting statistic and ranking except for walks, where it ranks second. So far, the Kingpins are 4-5 against the Swift Steeds on the year.

August 24, 25, and 27 – at California Firehawks (32-47; .405 winning percentage)

The Firehawks may have the most telling home field advantage in the minors. Despite a 9-31 (.225 winning percentage) road record, California is 23-16 (.589 winning percentage) at home, making this no easy series against what by naked record is the worst team in the league. Chicago is still reeling from its last road trip to California, which resulted in the Kingpins getting swept. Chicago is 5-4 against the Firehawks on the year.

August 28, 29, and 30 – vs. Anchorage Wheelers (40-39; .506 winning percentage)

The series presents Chicago with an opportunity to avenge another recent series sweep. Anchorage has been strong in close games, going 13-10 in one-run affairs and 5-3 in extra innings, but has struggled some on the road (17-23; .425 winning percentage). Chicago is 5-4 against the Wheelers so far this season.

September 1, 2, and 3 – at Louisville Lemurs (35-44; .443 winning percentage)

Chicago faithful will welcome seeing another series with Louisville on the schedule, as the Kingpins are currently 7-2 against the Lemurs thus far. The Lemurs sit tied for last place in the East Division, and have only held serve with a .500 record (20-20) at home. Louisville ranks among the worst teams in most offensive statistical categories, so this could be a series that gives Chicago’s starters an opportunity to get right before the postseason.

September 4, 6, and 7 – at Kansas City Hepcats

The Kingpins will have to make back-to-back road trips to start September, which the second trip to an opponent that has given Chicago a few fits. The Kingpins are just 4-5 against the Hepcats this season. Kansas City, tied for first in the West Division is 26-17 (.604 winning percentage at home) and has posted a winning record in every month except June.

September 8, 9, and 11 – vs. Puerto Rico Ranas (35-44; .443 winning percentage)

The Ranas once ran neck-and-neck among the East Division leaders, opening the year with a 19-14 (.576 winning percentage) record before the bottom seemed to fall out in June. Puerto Rico has gone just 16-30 since (.348 winning percentage) and has lost 7 of its last 10 games. Chicago is 6-3 on the year against Puerto Rico and has won five of the last 6 in this matchup.

September 12, 13, and 14 – at Amarillo Armadillos (37-42; .468 winning percentage)

Chicago will close the season with one more road series against the Armadillos. If the East Division race is not already decided by this time, wins will be at a premium during these final days, as State College closes the year at home against the Louisville Lemurs.

06-12-2023, 08:03 AM	#11
Jiggy Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 31	Kingpins Lingering Two Games Back At Start of 2056 Stretch Run The 2056 Professional Baseball Experience Minor League (MiLPBE) season has entered the stretch run, with the State College Swift Steeds leading the Chicago Kingpins by a neck in the East Division. Only 29 games remain to decide a division winner and the who, what, where, and when the Kingpins will begin their postseason hunt for the franchise’s second MiLPBE World Series championship. Chicago has held State College’s pace, matching its streaks and slumps and remaining two games back in the race for nearly all of the regular season. After a blistering 19-5 month of May, the Kingpins have stagnated somewhat over the summer. In June, they were exactly .500 with an 11-11 monthly record. In July, the club was 9-8 and so far in August, they are 4-3. With the level of talent that occupies State College’s roster, it’s a wonder that with these past few few months that Chicago has not lost any ground in the East Division standings. Heading into the fourth and final week of simulations for the 2056 season, the Kingpins still sit two games behind the Swifties – now with just 29 games left to play in the regular season. Looking back at the schedule has left some in Chicago wondering what might have been. Through the months of June and July, there were several opportunities to make up ground to the Swifties that the Kingpins simply could not take advantage of. A couple of series in particular stand out. Chicago was swept on the road by the California Firehawks in early June. At 32-47 (.405 winning percentage), the Firehawks currently own the worst record in the MiLPBE. A win in that series – as is expected of one of the league’s top teams – would have seen the Kingpins tied with the Swifties at this stage of the season. In late June, the Kingpins dropped another road series to another lower tiered West Division opponent – this time the Amarillo Armadillos and this time a two-games-to-one series defeat. The Armadillos (37-42; .468 winning percentage) at this point in the season sit in fifth place out of six West Division teams. Things seemed to have gotten better in July. Chicago opened the month by going 7-3 before losing four games in a row, one to the Firehawks and then three straight in a series sweep on the road to the Anchorage Wheelers. The Wheelers have steadily improved as the 2056 campaign has gone on, posting a 12-10 June, a 10-7 July, and a 4-3 August that has propelled them above .500 and up to third place in the West Division. Anchorage’s progression notwithstanding, had the Kingpins been able to salvage just one game in that road series, they would have found themselves at least one game closer to State College heading into the last week of simulations. Chicago’s results have been far and away better at home (29-14; .674 winning percentage) than it has been on the road (17-19; .492 winning percentage). That could be problematic in terms of the team’s remaining schedule. The Kingpins play just 11 more games within the friendly confines of The Jose Forty-Three Stadium compared to 18 road games. Who’s Hot? Rookie second baseman Kent Murphy II has posted a .565 average over the last six games. Having joined the Kingpins’ roster as a midseason waiver pickup, this recent tear raised Murphy’s season slash line to .316/.365/.479. He’s hit five home runs in just 31 games, adding 23 RBIs. His presence has offered a tremendous lift to Chicago’s lineup with veterans like Jim Copeland Jr. hitting a bit of a midsummer slump (Copeland is batting just .120 through the last six games). Reliever and longtime trusted stopper Gaslight Gatekeep Girlboss has also found her form during these dog days of summer. In her last 16 games, she’s posted 7 saves and a slim, tidy 1.11 ERA. This type of lights-out production is what the Kingpins front office expected would emerge even when Girlboss was struggling through much of the season. She began the year with a 9.64 ERA through April, and had just six total saves through the month of June. That seemed like an aberration for Girlboss, who led the MiLPBE with just a 2.38 ERA a season ago. Otijomyzarc Kove fully broke out during July, slashing .368/.434/.500 with three homers. Kove’s productivity or lack thereof remains a vital component to Chicago’s overall offensive success – or lack thereof. And Kove has in more cases than not risen to the biggest of occasions. Kove is batting .471 with eight hits in 17 at bats with the bases loaded so far. Who’s Not? Chicago’s All-Star catcher, and one-time MVP candidate Santiago Benito has been on quite the downward trend since June, when he was still hitting .350. July saw the backstop collect just 17 hits in 66 at bats, good for a much lower .258 monthly average. Through August 9, Benito has just six hits in 28 at bats for an even lower .214 monthly average. Rookie starter Ruggsy Witdaheelys may have finally hit a wall this season. The lefty is 0-2 with a 9.60 ERA over his last four starts. Monthly statistics show a fairly steady trend of opposing hitters learning how to square him up as the season has waned on. In April, he posted a 1.00 ERA. In May, it came up to 2.70. In June, it came up even higher to 4.56. In July, it ballooned to 7.31. The Kingpins will need Witdaheelys, who made the All Star Game based on his first-half performance, to stabilize if they hope to catch the Swift Steeds in these last 29 games. Chicago’s other All Star left handed starter, Casey Shaffer, is facing similar struggles, though maybe not as pronounced as Witdaheelys. Shaffer has started 20 games for the Kingpins, but has logged just one decision win on the year. That’s primarily because he is average just 4.2 innings per start, mostly making him ineligible for decision wins. That lack of longevity was fine so long as he was holding opposing lineups down, which he has done through much of the season. He posted a 3.12 ERA in April, a 2.66 ERA in May, and a 3.86 ERA in June. But Shaffer has been knocked around a bit in his two starts so far in August, giving up eight runs in just 7.2 innings, which equates to a 9.39 ERA and just 3.6 innings per start. The hope with Shaffer is that early August is the exception and not an indication of any sort of new norm. Remaining Schedule August 10 and August 11 – vs. Amarillo Armadillos (37-42; .468 winning percengate) Chicago is 4-3 against the Armadillos on the season. Amarillo has had some struggles on the road, where they are 17-23 (.423 winning percentage) and against left handed pitching in particular, which may bode well for the Kingpins who are expected to start lefties Witdaheelys and Shaffer in the final two games of this series. August 13, 14, and 15 – at Florida Flamingos (38-41; .481 winning percentage) The Flamingos have been up and down in the East Division this season. Florida at present is trending a bit downward, having gone just 3-7 over its last 10 games. The Flamingos are the only team in the minor leagues with a losing record at home (18-19), so Chicago shouldn’t have to fear any type of home field advantage, its own road woes notwithstanding. The Kingpins are 6-3 against the Flamingos this season. August 17, 18, and 19 – at Brew City Bears (42-37; .532 winning percentage) Brew City is tied with the Kansas City Hepcats atop the West Division and is a whopping 23-14 at home. The Kingpins are 5-4 against Brew City, but two of those series came in April and May when the Bears were still finding their way. Brew City went 13-9 (.590 winning percentage) in June and 11-6 (.647 winning percentage) in July, so the Bears are playing much better simulation baseball than they were in those early series. August 20, 22, and 23 – vs State College Swift Steeds (48-31; .608 winning percentage) There’s no better way to make up ground against a division opponent than playing that opponent directly. State College has shown itself susceptible when games are close late. The Swift Steeds are 11-13 in one-run games and just 3-7 when games go into extra innings. Chicago will have to score runs to keep up with the explosive State College offense, which ranks first in the league in every isolated team batting statistic and ranking except for walks, where it ranks second. So far, the Kingpins are 4-5 against the Swift Steeds on the year. August 24, 25, and 27 – at California Firehawks (32-47; .405 winning percentage) The Firehawks may have the most telling home field advantage in the minors. Despite a 9-31 (.225 winning percentage) road record, California is 23-16 (.589 winning percentage) at home, making this no easy series against what by naked record is the worst team in the league. Chicago is still reeling from its last road trip to California, which resulted in the Kingpins getting swept. Chicago is 5-4 against the Firehawks on the year. August 28, 29, and 30 – vs. Anchorage Wheelers (40-39; .506 winning percentage) The series presents Chicago with an opportunity to avenge another recent series sweep. Anchorage has been strong in close games, going 13-10 in one-run affairs and 5-3 in extra innings, but has struggled some on the road (17-23; .425 winning percentage). Chicago is 5-4 against the Wheelers so far this season. September 1, 2, and 3 – at Louisville Lemurs (35-44; .443 winning percentage) Chicago faithful will welcome seeing another series with Louisville on the schedule, as the Kingpins are currently 7-2 against the Lemurs thus far. The Lemurs sit tied for last place in the East Division, and have only held serve with a .500 record (20-20) at home. Louisville ranks among the worst teams in most offensive statistical categories, so this could be a series that gives Chicago’s starters an opportunity to get right before the postseason. September 4, 6, and 7 – at Kansas City Hepcats The Kingpins will have to make back-to-back road trips to start September, which the second trip to an opponent that has given Chicago a few fits. The Kingpins are just 4-5 against the Hepcats this season. Kansas City, tied for first in the West Division is 26-17 (.604 winning percentage at home) and has posted a winning record in every month except June. September 8, 9, and 11 – vs. Puerto Rico Ranas (35-44; .443 winning percentage) The Ranas once ran neck-and-neck among the East Division leaders, opening the year with a 19-14 (.576 winning percentage) record before the bottom seemed to fall out in June. Puerto Rico has gone just 16-30 since (.348 winning percentage) and has lost 7 of its last 10 games. Chicago is 6-3 on the year against Puerto Rico and has won five of the last 6 in this matchup. September 12, 13, and 14 – at Amarillo Armadillos (37-42; .468 winning percentage) Chicago will close the season with one more road series against the Armadillos. If the East Division race is not already decided by this time, wins will be at a premium during these final days, as State College closes the year at home against the Louisville Lemurs.