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ayaghmour2 · 08-30-2023, 03:32 PM

Weekly Record: 3-3
Seasonal Record: 17-16 (t-4th, 1.5 GB)
Stars of the Week
Ken Matson : 1 Win, 1 Saves, 2.1 IP, 0 BB, 2 K, 0.00 ERA
Skipper Schneider : 22 AB, 7 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .318 AVG, .848 OPS
Sal Pestilli : 21 AB, 7 H, 1 HR, 3 RBI, .333 AVG, .867 OPS

Schedule
5-18: Loss vs Wolves (4-3)
5-19: Loss vs Wolves (11-6)
5-20: Loss vs Wolves (3-2)
5-21: Win vs Sailors (3-4): 10 innings
5-22: Win vs Sailors (1-2)
5-23: Win vs Foresters (3-8)

Recap
The winning ended just as quickly as it started, as we returned to treading water with yet another 3-3 week. It could have been worse, as the Wolves embarrassed us at home, sweeping us with a pair of those pesky one-run losses. Luckily, we quickly bounced back, as we snatched one-run wins from the Sailors before a comfortable win against the Foresters. There's no change for us in the standings, we're still tied for 4th and 1.5 games back, but now we're tied with the Cannons while the 19-15 Kings lead the association.

We didn't do much scoring this week, but we hit a lot of home runs. Six different Cougars hit one out of the park, including Clark Car who was 5-for-19 with a double, 2 triples, the homer, 4 runs, and 3 RBIs. This was his most involved week, as before Billy Hunter's struggles he wasn't playing regularly. Now he's taking most of the at bats against righties, and is hitting a productive .284/.293/.500 (114 OPS+) in 75 trips to the plate. Carlos Montes is doing his best to play more, going 2-for-3 with a walk and walk-off homer. He's made just 33 trips to the plate, but has hit an impressive .320/.469/.640 (201 OPS+). He's not going to replace Sal, who was 7-for-21 with a homer, but both Leo Mitchell and Hal Sharp are off to rough starts. Mitchell is hitting just .273/.304/.331 (74 OPS+) while Sharp is a bit better at .296/.327/.352 (86 OPS+). I'm not ready to move either to the bench in favor of Montes, but it's starting to at least be considered. Montes already plays right against lefties, but he may get the occasional start against righties, with Sharp moving over to left. Ideally, Mitchell returns to form and we can rely on Montes more as a defensive replacement, but I wouldn't count on that sorting itself out.

This is the year of Johnnie Jones, but as always, we just refuse to win his starts. This is a guy who won 10 games in 1946 despite a 2.64 ERA (133 ERA+), and he's dealing with some of that luck this year. Johnnie went nine and allowed 7 hits, 3 runs, and 5 walks, but two of the runs were unearned, and we should have won his game in nine. Instead, Ken Matson came on for the 10th, picking up the win after Montes' walk-off homer. Matson also picked up a save in our 2-1 win over the Sailors, striking out Harvey Brown with a runner on 2nd for the 27th and final out. George Oddo started the game and looked much better then he did against the Kings, allowing 6 hits, a run, and 4 walks with 6 strikeouts to improve to 3-1 in 6 starts. His 2.62 ERA (143 ERA+) trails just Johnnie's 1.94 (193 ERA+) on the team, and his production has really made up for Donnie Jones' struggles. He had another rough start, going just 4 while allowing 6 hits, 6 runs (2 earned...), and 2 walks with 3 strikeouts. Jim Kenny was much worse, charged with 4 hits, 5 runs (2 earned), and 4 walks in 3.2 innings. Sure, you can blame the three errors, but there were too many guys on the bases.

Duke Bybee made a pair of starts, picking up a loss against the Wolves and a win against the Foresters. He went 8 against Toronto, allowing 6 hits, 4 runs, and 4 walks with just a single strikeout. The strikeouts came back against the Foresters, as he set down 5. Like Oddo, he got all the outs except one, leaving with 8 hits, 3 runs, and 2 walks. The last out went to Charlie Kelsey, who got Jim Adams Jr. to roll into a fielder's choice. I'm still surprised by Bybee walking (18) one more hitter then he's struck out (17) considering command is his thing and he struck out 104 hitters last season. Command has never been Pap's thing, and 5 walks contributed to his complete game loss. He did do fine overall, just 8 hits and 3 runs in our 3-2 loss, but he struck out just 3, his fewest on the season. As much as I love the strikeouts, I'll trade them for 3-run complete games, as maybe the 200+ strikeout days of Peter the Heater are a thing of the past...

Looking Ahead
The homestand continues with the finale against the Foresters, as a struggling Donnie Jones (1-4, 4.33, 27) faces a struggling Ollie White (1-4, 5.32, 26). The two aces have similarly terrible numbers after finishing third and first in ERA last season. White finally captured his first win of the season in a 14-3 domination of the Saints where he finally struck out (5) more hitters then he walked (4). In just 47.1 innings he's allowed 46 free passes, and his 20 BB% looks like it came from Juan Soto's baseball reference page. His 2.01 WHIP is almost higher then his 2.40 ERA from last season, but I'm just glad he beat the Saints. We can't be his first win anymore! That's not going to stop him from throwing a gem, but perhaps the Foresters offense is exactly what Donnie needs. Jim Adams Jr. (.237, 1, 3, 1) has scuffled early on and Lorenzo Samuels (.190, 2, 7) is dealing with a major sophomore slump after posting a 143 WRC+ in 104 games as a rookie last season. They should be their two best hitters, with Ivey Henley (.353, 3, 19) firmly in the mix, but it's shaping up to be another long season in Cleveland. The Foresters do do one thing well, as the back of their pen has been brilliant. Both Dick Lamb (2-0, 1.95, 9) and Walt Hill (6, 1.99, 13) have been remarkable, and they've pitched enough to qualify for rate stats. Of course, the game's usually decided before they come in, but if the Foresters have a lead late, there's a good chance they're going to keep it. Let's hope it doesn't come to that!

Our homestand then ends with three with the Cannons, who slumped last week and are now tied with us for 4th, with both of us a percentage point above the 18-17 Stars. The Cannons have the lowest scoring offense (107) in the association, and that will only get worse after Sam Brown (.289, 2, 10) head to the IL with a sore elbow. The biggest surprise on the Cannons is superstar Denny Andrews, who is doing his best Sal Pestilli impersonation. Andrews hit .288/.405/.451 (142 OPS+) last season, posting a 151 WRC+ and leading the association in runs (104), doubles (40), and walks (110). This season, everything has gone wrong, as he's somehow hitting just .159/.248/.195 (19 OPS+) with one double and one homer in 129 trips to the plate. He's walked (14) les frequently then he's struck out (18), something he has never done since debuting for the Cannons in 1940, and his 27 WRC+ is nearly 100 points lower then his previous worst -- a still impressive 111 as a 25-year-old back in 1941. If he was anything close to resembling his former self, I have to imagine the Cannons would be leading the league, and he's far too good to not turn things around.

The pitching has kept them in games, but despite allowing the fewest runs (115) in the league, they have a -8 run differential. Jim Anderson has decided he's the best pitcher in the league, and he has not need a reliever in any of his six starts. He's 4-1 with a miniscule 1.17 ERA (328 ERA+), which happens to be lower then his 1.19 WHIP. Some regression is expected, as he's walked (24) just as many hitters as he's struck out, and no one can be this dominant for a whole season, but his 3.00 FIP (77 FIP-) is still well above average. Him and Rufus Barrell (4-1, 1.38, 26) have been the best 1-2 punch in the game, so it's only fitting that we'll have to face them both. That makes things almost impossible for us, if the Cannons get a good outing from Charlie Griffith (3-2, 3.90, 19) chances are they'll sweep us, as I don't have any confidence in our lineup. Barrell is almost an auto-win, and with how unlucky Chicago sports teams are, I don't envision Anderson returning to form against us.

The weekend is going to be tough, and I'm worried our momentum will be in the gutter before and after we take on the Kings in Brooklyn for three. At 19-15, they're a game ahead of the Wolves (17-15) and Saints (18-16), and they're scoring runs at a torrid pace. Ralph Johnson (.278, 6, 21) has slumped a bit, but Charlie Woodbury (.349, 2, 25) and Pat Petty (.321, 3, 25) have WRC+ above 140. The lineup tails off a bit behind those three, but Chuck Collins (.307, 2, 16) is off to a good start. The rest of the lineup hasn't been great, and with their pitching struggles it may come back to hurt them. Ace Bob Arman (4-4, 1.94, 42) has been as advertised, but Johnny Slaney (2-2, 4.42, 16) has struggled and Leo Hayden (4-4, 3.82, 23) still doesn't look like the dominant pitcher from his rookie season. With two off days this week, the Kings will be well rested and can adjust their rotation, which doesn't bode well for our chances. This is a huge week for us, as we need to take advantage of the congestion in the association. It's only a matter of time before someone separates from the group, so why can't that be us?

Well, other then for the fact that we're cursed...

This whole city is cursed...

I mean check out the Chicago Panthers...

That's a collapse worthy of the Cougars!

Minor League Report
RHP Jim N Smith (A Lincoln Legislators): Last season did not end well for Jim N Smith, as after a promotion to A ball he had a 5.07 ERA (83 ERA+) and 1.62 WHIP in 11 starts. This year has gone much better, and "Noodles" put an exclamation mark after his fourth start. The former 6th Rounder threw a 3-hit, 1-walk shutout while setting down 4 Steelmen down on strikes in a 5-0 victory. He's now 2-1 in his 4 starts with an impressive 2.12 ERA (198 ERA+) and 1.01 WHIP. He's walked just 5 and struck out 17, with his 3.4 K/BB significantly higher then the 1.4 he posted in 139 innings between San Jose and Lincoln last year. A five pitch pitcher, Smith's cutter tops out at just 87, but he mixes his pitches well and has posted solid strikeout numbers in the past. His control has handicapped him in the past, but his 4.2% BB% is almost half as much as his previous best (8 in 68 innings for San Jose last year). Right now he's the next man up if we need a starter in AAA or AA, and I expect him to finish his season in AA as long as his effectiveness doesn't completely crater.

Cougars in the GWL
RHP Cy Sullivan (Oakland Grays): It's been an excellent start to the season for Cy Sullivan, who is on a run of three consecutive starts with allowing one run or fewer. The middle start was nearly perfect, as Cy allowed just one-hit with two walks and strikeouts in a 9-0 shutout win over the Seattle Thunderbirds. It's his first shutout of the season, but his 8th since joining the Oakland Grays in the inaugural season of the GWL. Sullivan has a legit shot at the Pitcher of the Month award for May, but a 2-2 record might work against him. He has just a 2.08 ERA (168 ERA+) and 1.10 WHIP in 34.2 innings pitched, giving him a 2.31 (151 ERA+) and 1.05 mark on the season. The rubber armed Sullivan is a big reason the Grays are within a game of first, as the rest of the rotation has an ERA of 3.00 (116 ERA+) or higher. That 3.00 comes from another former Cougar, Danny Goff Jr., who has transitioned into the rotation this year. He's gone 2-3 with a 1.45 WHIP and 21 strikeouts in 51 innings and is scheduled to open the week for the Grays in Oakland against the last place Green Sox. Goff's brother, Jack, is also in the Grays rotation, and is an impressive 6-1 with a 3.32 ERA (105 ERA+) and 1.19 WHIP. "Black Jack" won the GWL ERA crown (2.15) last season, and the trio have done well early as the Grays look to defend their title.

08-30-2023, 03:32 PM	#1194
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Week 5: May 17th-May 23rd Weekly Record: 3-3 Seasonal Record: 17-16 (t-4th, 1.5 GB) Stars of the Week Ken Matson : 1 Win, 1 Saves, 2.1 IP, 0 BB, 2 K, 0.00 ERA Skipper Schneider : 22 AB, 7 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .318 AVG, .848 OPS Sal Pestilli : 21 AB, 7 H, 1 HR, 3 RBI, .333 AVG, .867 OPS Schedule 5-18: Loss vs Wolves (4-3) 5-19: Loss vs Wolves (11-6) 5-20: Loss vs Wolves (3-2) 5-21: Win vs Sailors (3-4): 10 innings 5-22: Win vs Sailors (1-2) 5-23: Win vs Foresters (3-8) Recap The winning ended just as quickly as it started, as we returned to treading water with yet another 3-3 week. It could have been worse, as the Wolves embarrassed us at home, sweeping us with a pair of those pesky one-run losses. Luckily, we quickly bounced back, as we snatched one-run wins from the Sailors before a comfortable win against the Foresters. There's no change for us in the standings, we're still tied for 4th and 1.5 games back, but now we're tied with the Cannons while the 19-15 Kings lead the association. We didn't do much scoring this week, but we hit a lot of home runs. Six different Cougars hit one out of the park, including Clark Car who was 5-for-19 with a double, 2 triples, the homer, 4 runs, and 3 RBIs. This was his most involved week, as before Billy Hunter's struggles he wasn't playing regularly. Now he's taking most of the at bats against righties, and is hitting a productive .284/.293/.500 (114 OPS+) in 75 trips to the plate. Carlos Montes is doing his best to play more, going 2-for-3 with a walk and walk-off homer. He's made just 33 trips to the plate, but has hit an impressive .320/.469/.640 (201 OPS+). He's not going to replace Sal, who was 7-for-21 with a homer, but both Leo Mitchell and Hal Sharp are off to rough starts. Mitchell is hitting just .273/.304/.331 (74 OPS+) while Sharp is a bit better at .296/.327/.352 (86 OPS+). I'm not ready to move either to the bench in favor of Montes, but it's starting to at least be considered. Montes already plays right against lefties, but he may get the occasional start against righties, with Sharp moving over to left. Ideally, Mitchell returns to form and we can rely on Montes more as a defensive replacement, but I wouldn't count on that sorting itself out. This is the year of Johnnie Jones, but as always, we just refuse to win his starts. This is a guy who won 10 games in 1946 despite a 2.64 ERA (133 ERA+), and he's dealing with some of that luck this year. Johnnie went nine and allowed 7 hits, 3 runs, and 5 walks, but two of the runs were unearned, and we should have won his game in nine. Instead, Ken Matson came on for the 10th, picking up the win after Montes' walk-off homer. Matson also picked up a save in our 2-1 win over the Sailors, striking out Harvey Brown with a runner on 2nd for the 27th and final out. George Oddo started the game and looked much better then he did against the Kings, allowing 6 hits, a run, and 4 walks with 6 strikeouts to improve to 3-1 in 6 starts. His 2.62 ERA (143 ERA+) trails just Johnnie's 1.94 (193 ERA+) on the team, and his production has really made up for Donnie Jones' struggles. He had another rough start, going just 4 while allowing 6 hits, 6 runs (2 earned...), and 2 walks with 3 strikeouts. Jim Kenny was much worse, charged with 4 hits, 5 runs (2 earned), and 4 walks in 3.2 innings. Sure, you can blame the three errors, but there were too many guys on the bases. Duke Bybee made a pair of starts, picking up a loss against the Wolves and a win against the Foresters. He went 8 against Toronto, allowing 6 hits, 4 runs, and 4 walks with just a single strikeout. The strikeouts came back against the Foresters, as he set down 5. Like Oddo, he got all the outs except one, leaving with 8 hits, 3 runs, and 2 walks. The last out went to Charlie Kelsey, who got Jim Adams Jr. to roll into a fielder's choice. I'm still surprised by Bybee walking (18) one more hitter then he's struck out (17) considering command is his thing and he struck out 104 hitters last season. Command has never been Pap's thing, and 5 walks contributed to his complete game loss. He did do fine overall, just 8 hits and 3 runs in our 3-2 loss, but he struck out just 3, his fewest on the season. As much as I love the strikeouts, I'll trade them for 3-run complete games, as maybe the 200+ strikeout days of Peter the Heater are a thing of the past... Looking Ahead The homestand continues with the finale against the Foresters, as a struggling Donnie Jones (1-4, 4.33, 27) faces a struggling Ollie White (1-4, 5.32, 26). The two aces have similarly terrible numbers after finishing third and first in ERA last season. White finally captured his first win of the season in a 14-3 domination of the Saints where he finally struck out (5) more hitters then he walked (4). In just 47.1 innings he's allowed 46 free passes, and his 20 BB% looks like it came from Juan Soto's baseball reference page. His 2.01 WHIP is almost higher then his 2.40 ERA from last season, but I'm just glad he beat the Saints. We can't be his first win anymore! That's not going to stop him from throwing a gem, but perhaps the Foresters offense is exactly what Donnie needs. Jim Adams Jr. (.237, 1, 3, 1) has scuffled early on and Lorenzo Samuels (.190, 2, 7) is dealing with a major sophomore slump after posting a 143 WRC+ in 104 games as a rookie last season. They should be their two best hitters, with Ivey Henley (.353, 3, 19) firmly in the mix, but it's shaping up to be another long season in Cleveland. The Foresters do do one thing well, as the back of their pen has been brilliant. Both Dick Lamb (2-0, 1.95, 9) and Walt Hill (6, 1.99, 13) have been remarkable, and they've pitched enough to qualify for rate stats. Of course, the game's usually decided before they come in, but if the Foresters have a lead late, there's a good chance they're going to keep it. Let's hope it doesn't come to that! Our homestand then ends with three with the Cannons, who slumped last week and are now tied with us for 4th, with both of us a percentage point above the 18-17 Stars. The Cannons have the lowest scoring offense (107) in the association, and that will only get worse after Sam Brown (.289, 2, 10) head to the IL with a sore elbow. The biggest surprise on the Cannons is superstar Denny Andrews, who is doing his best Sal Pestilli impersonation. Andrews hit .288/.405/.451 (142 OPS+) last season, posting a 151 WRC+ and leading the association in runs (104), doubles (40), and walks (110). This season, everything has gone wrong, as he's somehow hitting just .159/.248/.195 (19 OPS+) with one double and one homer in 129 trips to the plate. He's walked (14) les frequently then he's struck out (18), something he has never done since debuting for the Cannons in 1940, and his 27 WRC+ is nearly 100 points lower then his previous worst -- a still impressive 111 as a 25-year-old back in 1941. If he was anything close to resembling his former self, I have to imagine the Cannons would be leading the league, and he's far too good to not turn things around. The pitching has kept them in games, but despite allowing the fewest runs (115) in the league, they have a -8 run differential. Jim Anderson has decided he's the best pitcher in the league, and he has not need a reliever in any of his six starts. He's 4-1 with a miniscule 1.17 ERA (328 ERA+), which happens to be lower then his 1.19 WHIP. Some regression is expected, as he's walked (24) just as many hitters as he's struck out, and no one can be this dominant for a whole season, but his 3.00 FIP (77 FIP-) is still well above average. Him and Rufus Barrell (4-1, 1.38, 26) have been the best 1-2 punch in the game, so it's only fitting that we'll have to face them both. That makes things almost impossible for us, if the Cannons get a good outing from Charlie Griffith (3-2, 3.90, 19) chances are they'll sweep us, as I don't have any confidence in our lineup. Barrell is almost an auto-win, and with how unlucky Chicago sports teams are, I don't envision Anderson returning to form against us. The weekend is going to be tough, and I'm worried our momentum will be in the gutter before and after we take on the Kings in Brooklyn for three. At 19-15, they're a game ahead of the Wolves (17-15) and Saints (18-16), and they're scoring runs at a torrid pace. Ralph Johnson (.278, 6, 21) has slumped a bit, but Charlie Woodbury (.349, 2, 25) and Pat Petty (.321, 3, 25) have WRC+ above 140. The lineup tails off a bit behind those three, but Chuck Collins (.307, 2, 16) is off to a good start. The rest of the lineup hasn't been great, and with their pitching struggles it may come back to hurt them. Ace Bob Arman (4-4, 1.94, 42) has been as advertised, but Johnny Slaney (2-2, 4.42, 16) has struggled and Leo Hayden (4-4, 3.82, 23) still doesn't look like the dominant pitcher from his rookie season. With two off days this week, the Kings will be well rested and can adjust their rotation, which doesn't bode well for our chances. This is a huge week for us, as we need to take advantage of the congestion in the association. It's only a matter of time before someone separates from the group, so why can't that be us? Well, other then for the fact that we're cursed... This whole city is cursed... I mean check out the Chicago Panthers... That's a collapse worthy of the Cougars! Minor League Report RHP Jim N Smith (A Lincoln Legislators): Last season did not end well for Jim N Smith, as after a promotion to A ball he had a 5.07 ERA (83 ERA+) and 1.62 WHIP in 11 starts. This year has gone much better, and "Noodles" put an exclamation mark after his fourth start. The former 6th Rounder threw a 3-hit, 1-walk shutout while setting down 4 Steelmen down on strikes in a 5-0 victory. He's now 2-1 in his 4 starts with an impressive 2.12 ERA (198 ERA+) and 1.01 WHIP. He's walked just 5 and struck out 17, with his 3.4 K/BB significantly higher then the 1.4 he posted in 139 innings between San Jose and Lincoln last year. A five pitch pitcher, Smith's cutter tops out at just 87, but he mixes his pitches well and has posted solid strikeout numbers in the past. His control has handicapped him in the past, but his 4.2% BB% is almost half as much as his previous best (8 in 68 innings for San Jose last year). Right now he's the next man up if we need a starter in AAA or AA, and I expect him to finish his season in AA as long as his effectiveness doesn't completely crater. Cougars in the GWL RHP Cy Sullivan (Oakland Grays): It's been an excellent start to the season for Cy Sullivan, who is on a run of three consecutive starts with allowing one run or fewer. The middle start was nearly perfect, as Cy allowed just one-hit with two walks and strikeouts in a 9-0 shutout win over the Seattle Thunderbirds. It's his first shutout of the season, but his 8th since joining the Oakland Grays in the inaugural season of the GWL. Sullivan has a legit shot at the Pitcher of the Month award for May, but a 2-2 record might work against him. He has just a 2.08 ERA (168 ERA+) and 1.10 WHIP in 34.2 innings pitched, giving him a 2.31 (151 ERA+) and 1.05 mark on the season. The rubber armed Sullivan is a big reason the Grays are within a game of first, as the rest of the rotation has an ERA of 3.00 (116 ERA+) or higher. That 3.00 comes from another former Cougar, Danny Goff Jr., who has transitioned into the rotation this year. He's gone 2-3 with a 1.45 WHIP and 21 strikeouts in 51 innings and is scheduled to open the week for the Grays in Oakland against the last place Green Sox. Goff's brother, Jack, is also in the Grays rotation, and is an impressive 6-1 with a 3.32 ERA (105 ERA+) and 1.19 WHIP. "Black Jack" won the GWL ERA crown (2.15) last season, and the trio have done well early as the Grays look to defend their title. Last edited by ayaghmour2; 08-30-2023 at 07:28 PM.