[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 3-4
Seasonal Record: 32-35 (t-4th, 16.5 GB)
Stars of the Week
Red Bond : 23 AB, 9 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI, .391 AVG, 1.134 OPS
Chubby Hall : 26 AB, 9 H, 0 HR, 3 RBI, .346 AVG, .972 OPS
Skipper Schneider : 26 AB, 7 H, 1 HR, 5 RBI, .269 AVG, .719 OPS

Schedule
6-19: Loss at Foresters (2-4)
6-20: Win at Foresters (1-0): 10 innings
6-21: Win at Foresters (6-3)
6-22: Loss at Sailors (9-13)
6-23: Loss at Sailors (4-16)
6-24: Win at Sailors (7-0)
6-24: Loss at Sailors (2-3)

Recap
We did the Sailors a huge solid this week, first taking two of three from the Foresters in Cleveland before dropping three of four to the Sailors in Philly. They obliterated our pitching staff, as even with a 7-0 shutout in the first game of the double header, the top ranked team scored 32 runs in the four game series. They now are up 7.5 games over the 42-27 Foresters, who are almost farther out of first then the 33-35 Chiefs in the Fed. Philly's next win will be their 50th, matched only by the juggernaut Little Rock Governors who have won 17 in a row. I think they could beat the Cougars in a series! Unfortunately, that team will be somewhat broken up, as plenty of guys will be moving up starting as early as next sim. More will come once the draftees all file in, you'll get coverage of the 11th through 25th rounders throughout the week (likely in pieces since some of the early guys are actually solid), but Frank Reece and Bob Allen will both be promoted next week. But for now, of our first ten picks just Jack Craft and Allie Eddy will be tendered bonuses this week.

The shutout was the highlight of the week, as Donnie Jones is trying to do his best to earn a fifth All-Star nod. He split his starts, allowing 6 hits, 4 runs, and 5 walks with 7 strikeouts in our 4-2 loss in Cleveland. His shutout saw just 3 hits and 2 walks, striking out 3 to improve to 8-4 in his 15 starts. I'm not sure it's enough, as while his 3.44 ERA (123 ERA+) and 1.30 WHIP are solid, there are plenty of deserving candidates and not enough spots for all the pitchers. One should go to Duke Bybee, who was the only other starter to win his start. He went all nine in Cleveland, allowing 9 hits, 3 runs, and 2 walks with 3 strikeouts. Now 7-3, his 2.79 ERA (152 ERA+) is third in the CA, and he's got an impressive 1.04 WHIP and 1.8 K/BB. His 6.0 BB% would be a career best, and he has an excellent 3.69 FIP (87 FIP-) through 96.2 innings.

After last week's three man show on offense, it dropped to just two here, as slugging first basemen Red Bond was back to his ball smashing ways. The veteran added two more homers, going 9-for-23 with 4 walks, 4 runs, and 6 RBIs. His 16 homers are tied for 2nd in the CA while his 1.018 OPS is a point above Sherry Doyal for 2nd. I can't envision him not starting the All-Star game at first, as his .328/.412/.606 (166 OPS+) batting line is amazing, and he's the only guy in the lineup who really deserves the accolade. Chubby Hall isn't on the ballot, but the veteran outfielder has impressed this season, and was 9-for-26 with 3 doubles, a triple, 4 runs, 3 walks, and 3 RBIs. He's filled in well for Sal, slashing .325/.411/.479 (135 OPS+) in 190 PAs on the season. He doesn't deserve to lose time when Sal returns, but that's at least three weeks away and I expect a rehab assignment will be needed. I'd love to find a home for Hall before then, as he's been great and could really help a contender.

Looking Ahead
Off after the double header, and we'll then end the road trip with three in Montreal with the Saints. They're stuck in the four way tie with us and the Stars, but they're listed ahead based on one more win and loss. The winning percentages are all the same (.478), and if either team sweeps they'd be back to .500. That pretty much fits them, as they're 5th in runs scored and allowed, though with slightly more runs allowed they'd be more a game or two under .500. A lot of that is due to the surprising struggles of Bert Cupid, who is 3-7 with a 7.55 ERA (56 ERA+) and 1.72 WHIP. The 28-year-old has never had an ERA or WHIP higher then the 3.90 (98 ERA+) and 1.34 from last season. You would think that means he'd improve, but FIP (4.95, 116) still has him as a below average pitcher, as he's really struggled to keep the ball in the park on the road. Lucky for them, he's pitching in Montreal against us, though with an off-day they could skip him in favor of Pat Weakly (6-5, 4.19, 53). Otherwise I expect to see Pete Ford (3-4, 3.36, 28) and Ted Coffin (6-4, 3.75, 45), who have pitched pretty well. That might be tough for our offense, but with the struggled of Maurice Carter (.248, 5, 24), Gordie Perkins (.237, 2, 18, 4), and the now injured Bill Greene (.194, 11. 5) we should be in the game long enough for the pen to blow the lead.

We'll finish the week at home with a quick three game series with the Stars in Chicago. They have an identical record as us, led by sluggers Mack Sutton (.293, 17, 48) and Jack Welch (.237, 17, 43) who share the CA home run lead. Bill Barrett (.278, 16, 54) is tied for Bond in third, and Bill Barnett (.286, 11, 34) gives them four bats with double digit homers. We only have three bats with even seven, and they're pacing the association in team homers. In attempt to improve their league worst pitching, Dan Atwater (4-3, 4.31, 23) has been inserted to the rotation, and after a slow start he had a pair of 1-run complete game wins last week. Once Eli Panneton's (5-5, 5.32, 45) ERA converges with his FIP (3.66), they could start to get hot and try to separate themself from the middle of the pack that is all within four games of each other. They've played their best ball in June, and I'm worried that even on the road they'll have no trouble stopping us.