It is now
June 1st, 1936 which means let's check out the standings:
The standings look almost identical to how they did one month ago, with Mérida leading a pretty tight pack. San Luis, Puebla and León are closely behind with Guadalajara getting into a good run and closing the gap. Both Mexico City clubs remain within 10 games of the lead, but are most likely considered outsiders at this point. As predicted, Tampico are in last place, although they had a better month of May.
Having been 1st all season long, Mérida are the clear favorites for the title but they'll have to fend off the best defensive teams in San Luis and Puebla as well as the best offense in León.
Let's take a closer look at how the teams did this month:
Aulladores de Mérida - 1st (No change) - 14-13 in May, 31-20 overall
Mérida didn't have the best of months, dropping series against San Luis, León, Guadalajara and Jaguares. They were only swept once, against Jaguares, and managed to win their other 4 series including a sweep of Jaguares to start off the month. Their continued winning meant they remain in 1st place, with only León and Guadalajara having better records this month.
Their star outfielder Edwin Esparza strained his left triceps early in the month and still has one more week left until he fully recovers.
Best batters:
CF Celestino de la Rosa - .277/.382/.372, 3 2B, 3 3B, 7 SB, 8 RBI in May - .259/.366/.335, 4 2B, 5 3B, 13 SB, 15 RBI overall
C José Trujillo - .318/.366/.376, 2 2B, 1 HR, 12 RBI - .307/.339/.337, 2 2B, 1 HR, 19 RBI
1B Santiago Salas - .266/.349/.319, 2 2B, 1 HR, 12 RBI - .258/.343/.313, 4 2B, 2 HR, 1 SB, 21 RBI
Rotation:
RHP Jesús Pérez - 9 GS, 2.13 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 5.2 K% in May - 14 GS, 1.86 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 5.6 K% overall
LHP Roberto García - 9 GS, 2.95 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 5.4 K% in May - 17 GS, 3.38 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 5.3 K% overall
LHP José García - 10 G, 9 GS, 4.11 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 3.3 K% in May - 12 G, 11 GS, 3.50 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 3.5 K% overall
Tunas de San Luis - 2nd (No change) - 13-14 in May, 29-22 overall
After a losing month, the Prickly Pears' hot start keeps them in the hunt. They won 5 series and were only swept once by Guadalajara at the beginning of the month, but dropped games in every series, losing the ones against Guadalajara (twice), Tampico and Jaguares. It is worth noting that 7 of their losses were one-run games. The team should continue trending upwards as they have one of the best offenses and defenses of the league.
Best batters:
CF Guillermo Aceves - .353/.365/.382, 3 2B, 11 SB, 4 RBI - .347/.372/.423, 9 2B, 2 HR, 21 SB, 15 RBI
SS Rogelio Herrán - .301/.327/.350, 5 2B, 9 RBI - .298/.318/.339, 7 2B, 1 SB, 13 RBI
RF Roberto Hernández - .237/.276/.338, 2 2B, 2 HR, 3 SB, 10 RBI - .229/.271/.297, 4 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 6 SB, 17 RBI
Rotation:
LHP Francisco Camacho - Pitcher of the Month, 9 GS, 0.89 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 5.2 K% - 18 GS, 2.02 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 4.8 K%
RHP Roberto Mestre - 10 G, 9 GS, 4.35 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 6.2 K% - 14 G, 11 GS, 3.70 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 6.3 K%
RHP César Plascencia - 11 G, 9 GS, 2.78 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 6.6 K% - 19 G, 17 GS, 2.58 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 6.0 K%
Serpientes de Puebla - 3rd (No change) - 13-14 in May, 27-24 overall
Puebla had a good month, all things considered, as their series losses came against contending teams in Guadalajara, San Luis, Mérida, León as well as a small hiccup against Águilas (both losses were 1-run games). They also made a pitching addition, veteran Rafael Sianez was activated after tearing the thumb ligament on his glove hand in April and he responded in great manner.
Best batters:
2B Fernando del Toro - .320/.391/.408, 7 2B, 1 3B, 2 SB, 10 RBI - .280/.357/.355, 10 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 2 SB, 14 RBI
RF Antonio Tapia - .333/.345/.441, 9 2B, 1 HR, 1 SB, 7 RBI - .298/.308/.376, 13 2B, 1 HR, 3 SB, 11 RBI
1B Daniel Rivera - .304/.388/.373, 4 2B, 1 HR, 2 SB, 13 RBI - .307/.402/.360, 7 2B, 1 HR, 3 SB, 18 RBI
Rotation:
RHP Rafael Sianez - 8 GS, 1.92 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 3.7 K% - 12 G, 11 GS, 1.57 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 4.6 K%
LHP Miguel Cazares - 10 G, 9 GS, 2.58 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 8.8 K% - 14 G, 12 GS, 2.42 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 7.6 K%
RHP Martín Pérez - 10 G, 4 GS, 2 SV, 2.44 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 2.7 K% - 20 G, 7 GS, 2 SV, 2.02 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 3.3 K%
Flechas de León - 4th (No change) - 14-13 in May, 27-24 overall
The emerald team had a positive month, sweeping both Tampico and Jaguares and getting series wins against Mérida and Puebla. Improving their pitching and defense will bey key for them, as they are the best offensive team by runs, average, OPS, home runs and stolen bases. Star outfielder Carlos Moya is still out with a fractured ankle but it seems like León won't be missing him this season.
Best batters:
C Victor Albornoz - .388/.495/.450, 5 2B, 7 RBI - .327/.423/.426, 8 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 1 SB, 22 RBI
LF Andrés Suárez - .356/.419/.433, 5 2B, 1 HR, 3 SB, 11 RBI - .310/.391/.420, 8 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 6 SB, 21 RBI
2B Agustín Castrillo - .300/.340/.410, 6 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 1 SB, 3 RBI - .328/.357/.392, 7 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 3 SB, 9 RBI
Rotation:
RHP Luis Cruz - 9 GS, 1.64 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 6.6 K% - 17 GS, 1.81 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 7.1 K%
LHP Jonathan Estrada - Replaces LHP Alejandro Carranza (9 GS, 1.94 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 7.0 K% - 17 GS, 3.42 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 6.5 K%)
RHP Antonio Aguilar - 9 GS, 2.71 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 3.4 K% - 18 G, 17 GS, 3.15 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 3.9 K%
Obsidianas de Guadalajara - 5th (+2) - 17-10 in May - 26-25 overall
The Tapatíos had a great month, winning all but 2 of their series and sweeping San Luis and León in the process. They've become a pitching and offensive force, even if their ace missed all month due to personal reasons. If they bring their May form to the end of the season, they should be considered contenders.
Best batters:
2B César Loaiza - .369/.404/.447, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 4 SB, 6 RBI - .350/.389/.442, 11 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 6 SB, 15 RBI
LF Oscar Valladolid - .330/.369/.381, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 SB, 10 RBI - .287/.329/.344, 7 2B, 1 3B, 2 SB, 15 RBI
SS Ricky Solorio - .327/.333/.356, 1 2B, 1 3B, 6 SB, 7 RBI - .338/.353/.391, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 9 SB, 13 RBI
Rotation:
LHP Carlos Casillas - 3 GS, 2.39 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 3.8 K% - 12 G, 11 GS, 3.21 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 7.1 K%
RHP Jacinto Santos - 11 G, 10 GS, 2.13 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 6.3 K% - 22 G, 19 GS, 1 SV, 2.27 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 5.5 K%
RHP Faustino Campos - 10 G, 9 GS, 1 SV, 2.02 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 6.5 K% - 20 G, 16 GS, 2.69 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 5.6 K%
Águilas de México - 6th (-1) - 14-12 in May, 24-26 overall
The Eagles had an alright month, never really getting into a rhythm but they also didn't lose many straight games either. They did manage to win their last 4 series, keeping them close to the fight for the top. The capital city team will need a strong finish if they want to fulfill their preseason predictions of a top 3 finish.
Best batters:
RF Victor Barrios - Hitter of the Month, .348/.434/.467, 5 2B, 2 HR, 1 SB, 10 RBI - .307/.374/.399, 5 2B, 3 HR, 1 SB, 17 RBI
3B David Herrera - .270/.343/.371, 3 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI - .262/.333/.369, 9 2B, 3 HR, 17 RBI
CF Reynaldo Caratachea - .284/.340/.337, 3 2B, 1 3B, 6 SB, 3 RBI - .300/.343/.375, 11 2B, 2 3B, 18 SB, 11 RBI
Rotation:
RHP Ezequiel Anguiano - 9 GS, 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 8.1 K% - 18 G, 17 GS, 1 SV, 3.67 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 7.6 K%
RHP Antonio Castañeda - 10 G, 8 GS, 1.16 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 4.6 K% - 18 G, 16 GS, 2.75 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 4.9 K%
LHP Leo Álvarez - 9 GS, 4.03 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 5.8 K% - 18 G, 17 GS, 3.60 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 6.2 K%
Jaguares de México - 7th (-1) - 12-14 in May, 21-29 overall
The Jaguar's poor month means they're pretty much out of contention. They did win 8 out of their last 10 games, so a late resurgence might be on the cards. They lost RF Salvador Velázquez (3-4 weeks with bone chips) and SS Omar Morales (3 weeks with a separated shoulder) right at the end of the month.
Best batters:
LF Gregorio Pérez - .354/.361/.479, 6 2B, 2 HR, 1 SB, 9 RBI - .315/.325/.423, 10 2B, 2 HR, 1 SB, 12 RBI
1B David Arroyo - .333/.348/.367, 3 2B, 10 RBI - .287/.312/.311, 4 2B, 1 SB, 13 RBI
3B Rico Santistevan - .289/.317/.371, 5 2B, 1 HR, 1 SB, 8 RBI - .279/.305/.342, 6 2B, 2 HR, 4 SB, 14 RBI
Rotation:
LHP Andrés Amaya - 9 GS, 2.87 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 4.3 K% - 18 G, 17 GS, 2.86 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 4.5 K%
LHP Luis Helguera - 10 G, 9 GS, 2.55 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 4.3 K% - 18 G, 17 GS, 3.06 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 5.1 K%
RHP David Garza - 4 G, 3 GS, 2.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 5.7 K% - 12 G, 11 GS, 2.96 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 4.9 K%
Jaibas de Tampico - 8th (No change) - 10-17 in May, 18-33 overall
While the Blue Crabs managed to win 2 more games this month, their poor form continues and they remain last in almost every statistical category in offense, pitching and defense. Although they're only 13 games out, they'll need a miracle to contend this year.
Best batters:
LF Ricardo Palacios - .321/.374/.396, 4 2B, 2 3B, 6 SB, 3 RBI - .308/.371/.375, 4 2B, 2 3B, 7 SB, 4 RBI
SS Andrés Martínez - .298/.348/.423, 4 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI - .303/.348/.409, 5 2B, 3 HR, 16 RBI
CF Jesús Rodríguez - .324/.360/.400, 4 2B, 2 3B, 5 SB, 8 RBI - .301/.340/.360, 4 2B, 2 3B, 11 SB, 9 RBI
Rotation:
RHP Francisco Barajas - 9 GS, 2.71 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 5.0 K% - 23 G, 21 GS, 2.38 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 5.2 K%
RHP Israel Pastrana - 9 GS, 4.26 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 7.1 K% - 12 GS, 3.73 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 6.6 K%
RHP Eulogio Martínez - 1 GS, 4.50 ERA, 2.12 WHIP, 0 K% - 11 G, 2 GS, 4.18 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 2.6 K%
------------------------------------------------------
There's just one full month (and 8 games) to go in the first ever professional ball game season!