OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post

ayaghmour2 · 11-30-2023, 10:12 PM

Weekly Record: 3-2
Seasonal Record: 19-20 (6th, 5 GB)
Stars of the Week
Sal Pestilli : 18 AB, 7 H, 2 HR, 9 RBI, .389 AVG, 1.187 OPS
Hal Sharp : 12 AB, 5 H, 0 HR, 3 RBI, .417 AVG, .833 OPS
Pete Papenfus : 1 Win, 9.0 IP, 5 BB, 3 K, 2.00 ERA

Schedule
5-24: Loss at Sailors (3-4)
5-25: Win at Sailors (8-4)
5-27: Win vs Kings (2-6)
5-28: Win vs Kings (0-4)
5-29: Win vs Kings (1-3)

Recap
Win games, lose ground! I'll take it!

Now just a game under .500, we're back to five out, good for sole possession of sixth place. We got some solid pitching for a change, as Donnie Jones bested the #1 offense in a 2-hit shutout. Donnie struck out four and walked two in the win, and after allowing six homers in his first five starts, has now gone four in a row without one. His second start wasn't as great, allowing 12 hits and 4 runs with 3 strikeouts in 8 innings pitched. Like the team, Jones is a game under .500, 4-5 in nine starts. He's brought his FIP (3.84, 98) back above average and his ERA (4.17, 94) is getting close too. I'm hoping the two hitter is a sign of what's to come, as the former Allen winner has a tendency to put together runs like these. Duke Bybee was given two starts as well, the second on short rest (I must've miss-counted), and despite the decision that was actually the better one. Like Jones, he kept the Kings in check, allowing just 5 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), and 3 walks with 6 strikeouts. That brought him within one of the league leader, Peter the Heater himself (37), but since we scored just one run, he dropped his third decision. In his fifth win, he went eight as well, but allowed 9 hits, 4 runs, and 5 walks with just 2 strikeouts. Ken Matson ended up finishing that one, striking out two in a perfect ninth. Pete Papenfus made the final start, improving to 4-3 with a complete game win against the Kings. They put runners on base, as Pap walked 5 and allowed 7 hits, but he struck out 3 and allowed just a pair of runs, including the FABL home run of Dan Herrick's (.148, 1, 3) career. Despite his strikeout lead, his K% is down almost a point and a half (14.0 to 12.6) and his 4.04 ERA (97 ERA+) would be the worst mark since a 4.57 ERA (94 ERA+) at 21. With the struggles of these three before this week, it's no surprise we're a game under .500, and if these three repeat what they did this week, maybe we can pounce.

Gosh my optimism is just too high right now! When will I be brought back down to earth?

Please not tomorrow...

I think it's time I start calling Sal "Super Sal Pestilli" as it seems like the Westerly native has finally unlocked his true form, as the 1938 Whitney Winner (he was just 22!) put together another impressive week. Sal went 7-for-18 with a double and two homers. He drew two walks, scored five runs, and drove in nine more to up his season line to .342/.387/.551 (151 OPS+). Otto Christian hit his second homer of the season, going 2-for-8 with a walk, run, and 3 RBIs. His platoon partner Walt Pack didn't homer, but was a better 4-for-11 with a pair of RBIs. Hal Sharp and Chubby Hall had decent weeks, a combined 9-for-22 with 2 runs from Hall and 3 RBIs from Hal.

We got bad news with Billy Hunter, as the talented veteran is back on the IL with a back strain. Hunter will miss at least the next four weeks, and it couldn't have been at a worse time. In 16 games he was hitting .321/.410/.698 (195 OPS+) and he's already slugged 4 doubles, 2 triples, and 4 home runs. His 1.1 WAR is already higher then his 0.7 in 79 games (238 PAs) last season, as he's still a steady presence at the keystone and was swinging the bat the best he ever has. It's going to be impossible to replace that production, but I'm at least going to try to. Clark Car did have a 3-for-6 game last week in Toronto, but I'm not ready to give him all the at bats. He'll join George Sutterfield, who has hit .303/.384/.468 (121 OPS+) with 8 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, 6 steals, and 15 RBIs in 127 trip to the plate in his return to the Century League. He's split time between short and second, but he'll get about half the starts this week at second base. It's not a platoon in the strictest sense, but it could develop into that if neither takes advantage of the opportunity. If Sutterfield doesn't hit, I don't mind sending him back and trying someone else, but I'd love for the former top prospect to finally seize a spot in the starting lineup.

Looking Ahead
After finishing a series here, we'll head to Montreal for three games in two days, before returning back to host the Wolves. Montreal is half a game above us, so with a good showing at the Parc Cartier we could jump above them. Pat Weakly (0-1, 6.75, 2) got hurt in his return to the rotation, so the Saints may need a spot starter to pitch with Bert Cupid (4-4, 2.84, 23) in the double header. Cupid has a near identical ERA+ (145 to 142) and FIP- (88 to 86) from his excellent showing last year, but the real surprise has been Pete Ford. The 28-year-old is 5-1 in his 8 starts, working to an impressive 3.10 ERA (130 ERA+) and 1.34 WHIP. We won't see him here, he pitched in their double header to finish the week, but he did beat us back in April (8.2 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 ER, BB, 2 K). Offensively they are scoring a lot of runs, with rookie leadoff man Joe Austin hitting .326/.408/.472 (OPS+) with 3 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, 14 RBIs, 11 walks, and 8 steals. Yes, that's the same Joe Austin from the Red Bond trade, as our former 8th Round Pick made his first Opening Day roster and hiss 145 WRC+ would have looked really nice in our lineup. The Montreal native has spent most of his time at second, forming a formidable double play combo with Gordie Perkins (.307, 3, 25). Behind them in the lineup is rookie sensation Otis O'Keefe (.293, 4, 17) and sluggers Maurice Carter (.272, 7, 25) and Bill Greene (.273, 7, 28, 4). This lineup can do a lot of damage, but we're lucky to face a tired staff which has gotten a lot of work since the start of May.

The Wolves have just a double header on Monday, so they can head to Chicago a day early to prep for our series. We won't see either double header pitcher, and that means avoiding personal favorite of mine Jim Morrison (4-0, 1.75, 21), who has the lowest ERA in either association. I don't see a way where he doesn't pitch the double header, but there's a chance former Cougar draftee Harry Stewart (2-1, 3, 3.93, 5) join him against the Foresters. His first start of the season came against us, and we piled on 7 hits, 6 runs (5 earned), and 2 walks, with not one of the thirteen batters he retired set down on strikes. It's nice seeing the now 27-year-old get a shot in the rotation, as the hard working righty has put in more then enough effort to earn it. Missing those two would mean George Garrison (4-4, 3.14, 32), Joe Hancock (2-2, 4.18, 19), and Jimmy Gibbs (3-3, 3.99, 16), as the struggling Jerry York (0-6, 6.93, 13) was banished to Buffalo. We may not get many run, but if we can keep the ageless Fred McCormick (.358, 2, 18) in check we have a good chance to come away with the series victory.

Our weekend will occupied by the Sailors, who are in town for the first two of three. Win Lewis (1-6, 5.74, 21) has now lost five in a row and Al Duster (2-5, 6.26, 23) and Slick Wesolowski (1-3, 4.04, 19) were just hit hard. They're allowing the second most runs while scoring the fewest amount of runs. Don's brother Rip Lee has been one of the biggest culprits, as after hitting .283/.365/.404 (112 OPS+), the 35-year-old is hitting a putrid .185/.252/.274 (37 OPS+) with his highest K% (10.5) and his lowest BB% (7.8). It would be a shame if this is the end for the longtime Sailor shortstop, who missed out on four years of counting stats by serving in his country. He has still managed to tally 1,251 hits in 1,277 games, worth an impressive 30.5 wins above replacement. His 100 WRC+ is respectable for a shortstop, especially when you consider the 52.1 zone rating and 1.029 efficiency. It's too early to panic, but if thing get back 10th ranked prospect Al Farmer (.286, 1, 2) can push Les Cunha (.267, 2, 19) from second to short. Despite playing second for most of his career, he did play strictly shortstop his first two seasons in Philly. I'd let Rip stick it out, especially if the Sailors can't get it going, as he was such a good hitter since returning from the war.

11-30-2023, 10:12 PM	#1268
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Week 6: May 23rd-May 29th Weekly Record: 3-2 Seasonal Record: 19-20 (6th, 5 GB) Stars of the Week Sal Pestilli : 18 AB, 7 H, 2 HR, 9 RBI, .389 AVG, 1.187 OPS Hal Sharp : 12 AB, 5 H, 0 HR, 3 RBI, .417 AVG, .833 OPS Pete Papenfus : 1 Win, 9.0 IP, 5 BB, 3 K, 2.00 ERA Schedule 5-24: Loss at Sailors (3-4) 5-25: Win at Sailors (8-4) 5-27: Win vs Kings (2-6) 5-28: Win vs Kings (0-4) 5-29: Win vs Kings (1-3) Recap Win games, lose ground! I'll take it! Now just a game under .500, we're back to five out, good for sole possession of sixth place. We got some solid pitching for a change, as Donnie Jones bested the #1 offense in a 2-hit shutout. Donnie struck out four and walked two in the win, and after allowing six homers in his first five starts, has now gone four in a row without one. His second start wasn't as great, allowing 12 hits and 4 runs with 3 strikeouts in 8 innings pitched. Like the team, Jones is a game under .500, 4-5 in nine starts. He's brought his FIP (3.84, 98) back above average and his ERA (4.17, 94) is getting close too. I'm hoping the two hitter is a sign of what's to come, as the former Allen winner has a tendency to put together runs like these. Duke Bybee was given two starts as well, the second on short rest (I must've miss-counted), and despite the decision that was actually the better one. Like Jones, he kept the Kings in check, allowing just 5 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), and 3 walks with 6 strikeouts. That brought him within one of the league leader, Peter the Heater himself (37), but since we scored just one run, he dropped his third decision. In his fifth win, he went eight as well, but allowed 9 hits, 4 runs, and 5 walks with just 2 strikeouts. Ken Matson ended up finishing that one, striking out two in a perfect ninth. Pete Papenfus made the final start, improving to 4-3 with a complete game win against the Kings. They put runners on base, as Pap walked 5 and allowed 7 hits, but he struck out 3 and allowed just a pair of runs, including the FABL home run of Dan Herrick's (.148, 1, 3) career. Despite his strikeout lead, his K% is down almost a point and a half (14.0 to 12.6) and his 4.04 ERA (97 ERA+) would be the worst mark since a 4.57 ERA (94 ERA+) at 21. With the struggles of these three before this week, it's no surprise we're a game under .500, and if these three repeat what they did this week, maybe we can pounce. Gosh my optimism is just too high right now! When will I be brought back down to earth? Please not tomorrow... I think it's time I start calling Sal "Super Sal Pestilli" as it seems like the Westerly native has finally unlocked his true form, as the 1938 Whitney Winner (he was just 22!) put together another impressive week. Sal went 7-for-18 with a double and two homers. He drew two walks, scored five runs, and drove in nine more to up his season line to .342/.387/.551 (151 OPS+). Otto Christian hit his second homer of the season, going 2-for-8 with a walk, run, and 3 RBIs. His platoon partner Walt Pack didn't homer, but was a better 4-for-11 with a pair of RBIs. Hal Sharp and Chubby Hall had decent weeks, a combined 9-for-22 with 2 runs from Hall and 3 RBIs from Hal. We got bad news with Billy Hunter, as the talented veteran is back on the IL with a back strain. Hunter will miss at least the next four weeks, and it couldn't have been at a worse time. In 16 games he was hitting .321/.410/.698 (195 OPS+) and he's already slugged 4 doubles, 2 triples, and 4 home runs. His 1.1 WAR is already higher then his 0.7 in 79 games (238 PAs) last season, as he's still a steady presence at the keystone and was swinging the bat the best he ever has. It's going to be impossible to replace that production, but I'm at least going to try to. Clark Car did have a 3-for-6 game last week in Toronto, but I'm not ready to give him all the at bats. He'll join George Sutterfield, who has hit .303/.384/.468 (121 OPS+) with 8 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, 6 steals, and 15 RBIs in 127 trip to the plate in his return to the Century League. He's split time between short and second, but he'll get about half the starts this week at second base. It's not a platoon in the strictest sense, but it could develop into that if neither takes advantage of the opportunity. If Sutterfield doesn't hit, I don't mind sending him back and trying someone else, but I'd love for the former top prospect to finally seize a spot in the starting lineup. Looking Ahead After finishing a series here, we'll head to Montreal for three games in two days, before returning back to host the Wolves. Montreal is half a game above us, so with a good showing at the Parc Cartier we could jump above them. Pat Weakly (0-1, 6.75, 2) got hurt in his return to the rotation, so the Saints may need a spot starter to pitch with Bert Cupid (4-4, 2.84, 23) in the double header. Cupid has a near identical ERA+ (145 to 142) and FIP- (88 to 86) from his excellent showing last year, but the real surprise has been Pete Ford. The 28-year-old is 5-1 in his 8 starts, working to an impressive 3.10 ERA (130 ERA+) and 1.34 WHIP. We won't see him here, he pitched in their double header to finish the week, but he did beat us back in April (8.2 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 ER, BB, 2 K). Offensively they are scoring a lot of runs, with rookie leadoff man Joe Austin hitting .326/.408/.472 (OPS+) with 3 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, 14 RBIs, 11 walks, and 8 steals. Yes, that's the same Joe Austin from the Red Bond trade, as our former 8th Round Pick made his first Opening Day roster and hiss 145 WRC+ would have looked really nice in our lineup. The Montreal native has spent most of his time at second, forming a formidable double play combo with Gordie Perkins (.307, 3, 25). Behind them in the lineup is rookie sensation Otis O'Keefe (.293, 4, 17) and sluggers Maurice Carter (.272, 7, 25) and Bill Greene (.273, 7, 28, 4). This lineup can do a lot of damage, but we're lucky to face a tired staff which has gotten a lot of work since the start of May. The Wolves have just a double header on Monday, so they can head to Chicago a day early to prep for our series. We won't see either double header pitcher, and that means avoiding personal favorite of mine Jim Morrison (4-0, 1.75, 21), who has the lowest ERA in either association. I don't see a way where he doesn't pitch the double header, but there's a chance former Cougar draftee Harry Stewart (2-1, 3, 3.93, 5) join him against the Foresters. His first start of the season came against us, and we piled on 7 hits, 6 runs (5 earned), and 2 walks, with not one of the thirteen batters he retired set down on strikes. It's nice seeing the now 27-year-old get a shot in the rotation, as the hard working righty has put in more then enough effort to earn it. Missing those two would mean George Garrison (4-4, 3.14, 32), Joe Hancock (2-2, 4.18, 19), and Jimmy Gibbs (3-3, 3.99, 16), as the struggling Jerry York (0-6, 6.93, 13) was banished to Buffalo. We may not get many run, but if we can keep the ageless Fred McCormick (.358, 2, 18) in check we have a good chance to come away with the series victory. Our weekend will occupied by the Sailors, who are in town for the first two of three. Win Lewis (1-6, 5.74, 21) has now lost five in a row and Al Duster (2-5, 6.26, 23) and Slick Wesolowski (1-3, 4.04, 19) were just hit hard. They're allowing the second most runs while scoring the fewest amount of runs. Don's brother Rip Lee has been one of the biggest culprits, as after hitting .283/.365/.404 (112 OPS+), the 35-year-old is hitting a putrid .185/.252/.274 (37 OPS+) with his highest K% (10.5) and his lowest BB% (7.8). It would be a shame if this is the end for the longtime Sailor shortstop, who missed out on four years of counting stats by serving in his country. He has still managed to tally 1,251 hits in 1,277 games, worth an impressive 30.5 wins above replacement. His 100 WRC+ is respectable for a shortstop, especially when you consider the 52.1 zone rating and 1.029 efficiency. It's too early to panic, but if thing get back 10th ranked prospect Al Farmer (.286, 1, 2) can push Les Cunha (.267, 2, 19) from second to short. Despite playing second for most of his career, he did play strictly shortstop his first two seasons in Philly. I'd let Rip stick it out, especially if the Sailors can't get it going, as he was such a good hitter since returning from the war.