[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 3-3
Seasonal Record: 29-31 (4th, 14.5 GB)
Stars of the Week
George Sutterfield : 23 AB, 9 H, 0 HR, 5 RBI, .391 AVG, 1.003 OPS
Chubby Hall : 25 AB, 7 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI, .280 AVG, .773 OPS
John Moss : 21 AB, 6 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .286 AVG, .899 OPSA

Schedule
6-12: Loss at Wolves (2-7)
6-13: Win at Wolves (3-1)
6-14: Loss at Wolves (6-7)
6-15: Win at Cannons (4-2)
6-16: Loss at Cannons (1-2)
6-17: Win at Cannons (7-1)

Recap
With our second series loss against the Wolves to start the week, we've now lost the same amount of series against the lowly Wolves then total games last season. It's what makes the least sense in this senseless season, as we're the only team the Wolves have beat more then they've lost, and their six victories against us are twice as much as any team. It was fun when you could pencil in wins each time we faced Toronto, but now the Wolves are one of the many things going wrong in the Windy City.

The pitching was inconsistent this week, as we had three good starts and three bad starts. The best went to Pete Papenfus, who's been as hot as his heater, picking up a complete game win with 5 hits, 2 runs, a walk, and 5 strikeouts. The All-Star hopeful has won three of his last four starts, now 5-4 with a 3.52 ERA (120 ERA+), 1.19 WHIP, and 58 strikeouts. Donnie Jones came an out away from a complete game win himself, allowing 4 hits, 3 walks, and a run with 5 strikeouts to improve to 7-3 despite his 4.56 FIP (107 FIP-). There's a lot of season left, but Donnie has never have a FIP- above 100, as his 1.2 HR/9, 11.9 K%, and 9.5 BB% are all on pace to be career worsts. The homers are the most concerning part, as he's already matched his 1948 and 1949 totals while just 5 off his career high 18 from last year. Brother Johnnie managed to raise his ERA+ back over 100 (102), allowing 4 hits and 4 walks with 2 runs and 4 strikeouts. He's now 3-4, still walking (45) more guys then he strikes out (38), but we're back to a full front five with above average ERA+.

Just three hitters offered much of anything at the plate, starting with the improving George Sutterfield who finished his week 3-for-5 with 3 doubles and 3 RBIs. Sutterfield finished 9-for-23 with 3 runs, 4 walks, 5 RBIs, and a whopping 6 steals. John Moss continues to produce, 6-for-21 with 2 doubles, a triple, RBI, 2 runs, and 5 walks. Chubby Hall chipped in his 5th homer, 7-for-25 with a double and 6 RBIs. And that's it. That's the only Cougars who did much in any sort of sample. Love this offense!

Last thing of note is the return of Billy Brown, who hit an impressive .260/.315/.660 (174 OPS+) with 3 doubles, a triple, 5 homers, and 14 RBIs in his 13 game rehab assignment. He'll replace Clyde Parker, who unfortunately did not get any game action when he was up. Parker, who hit .292/.360/.396 (117 OPS+) in Milwaukee, is still looking for his first FABL plate appearance. I really hoped Max Wilder would use him at least once in the two weeks he was up, but instead he'll return to regular time with the Blues.

Looking Ahead
Before we lose any games this week, we'll run through the last 15 rounds of the Amateur Draft, many of which won't end up signing with us. A relatively weaker class, we had major hits to two of our top five picks, but I just can't wait until Jack Craft and Allie Eddy are in the system. These two should both crack the top 100, and a few of the other guys should enter the top 500.

Looking towards the games, we're off to start the week, and will then head to Cleveland for three. At 38-24, they're the only non-Philly team with a record above .500 in the CA, though they sit six and a half out. In most years they'd be doing well enough for first, but they have a huge hurdle to climb, and we'll catch them with Frenchy Sonntag (.311, 12, 43) on the IL for another two weeks. Veteran Orie Martinez (.305, 6, 20) has filled in well, but for the Foresters to catch the Sailors they'll need Sonntag to return without missing a beat. Considering all eight members of the current lineup have a WRC+ above 100, they haven't missed him too much, and they sit second in runs scored and allowed on the year. Sure, Adrian Czerwinski (10-3, 2.81, 59) has been carrying most of the load, but the back four has been decent enough, and they've decided to bring strikeout machine Ollie White (8-5, 2, 3.49, 52) back into the rotation. This is going to be a tough series, one will certainly lose, as we continue to go through the motions of the season.

For most teams, playing the first place Sailors would be a tough task, but guess what? The Cougars are the only team with a winning record against them! Sure, 6 of the Wolves' 17 wins have come from us, but on the flip side, 6 of the Sailors' 17 losses have been us!

At 44-17, it's there title to lose at this point, and even with Win Lewis (5-1, 2.83, 34) out of the season and more, they're comfortably in the driver's seat. Making up for the Lewis loss was the acquisition of Lloyd Stevens (6-4, 4.31, 26). The longtime Keystone has tossed a pair of complete game victories since the trade, allowing 3 runs to each the Saints and Kings. They really need help in the rotation, as I imagine it's only a matter of time before Lou Robertson (5-3, 2.95, 37) regresses. Combined with Al Duster's (6-1, 5.02, 39) rough start to the season, the Lewis loss would have been a devastating blow, and with Stevens hopefully solidifying the rotation they're back on track. They've been hitting well too, led by the breakout 25-year-old Al Farmer (.358, 9, 33). This level of production was expected from the former 2nd overall prospect, and he's done his part to usher in the next generation of baseball in Philadelphia. The final piece of their puzzle might be Jim Kenny, who they surprisingly claimed off waivers from us. I hope they start him, as 25 thinks his three pitch mix is enough. They did just move Jackie James (1-3, 8, 2.79, 18) into a starting role, so even if he doesn't start, he gives them an experienced late inning pitcher to supplement their pennant run.

Oh and some good news at the end! Harry Rollins is a projected starter now! Sure the report isn't too friendly, but it's a major relief he's back to a starter again. I was going to start him anyways, but now even our minor league managers will too.