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ayaghmour2 · 04-05-2025, 05:41 PM

Weekly Record: 4-3
Seasonal Record: 88-63 (3rd, 17 GB)
Stars of the Week
Jack Gibson : 23 AB, 8 H, 1 HR, 3 RBI, .348 AVG, .945 OPS
Dode Caudill : 23 AB, 7 H, 1 HR, 2 RBI, .304 AVG, .973 OPS
Pug White : 1 Win, 1 Saves, 10.0 IP, 0 BB, 3 K, 1.80 ERA

Schedule
9-9: Win at Wolves (3-2)
9-10: Win at Wolves (4-3): 11 innings
9-11: Loss at Wolves (2-5)
9-12: Loss at Wolves (5-6): 16 innings
9-13: Win vs Cannons (3-4)
9-14: Loss vs Cannons (4-1)
9-15: Win vs Cannons (3-4)

Recap
One of the strangest weeks we've had all year, as the week we were eliminated from the postseason, we won four one run games. Four of them! It also more or less happened as expected, better at home (2-1) then the road (2-2), but a split was nice in Toronto, and we added a pair of wins to our win total with two more weeks left. A 90-win season is almost a lock, and we'll have our highest win total since at least 1946 where we won 92 games, but perhaps as far back as 1941, the last time we won a pennant. The World Championship Series was an embarrassment, four one-run losses in a series where we outscored our opponents by 20 or so runs, and the 97 wins we won that season will likely remain tied for the most in a Cougar season.

We had a super interesting game in Toronto, as after scoring 4 runs each in the first 4 innings, both animal teams stayed scoreless until we got one in the 8th and they avoided the loss with one in the 9th. It was a rare misstep from Pug, who allowed the tying run, but 2 hits, a run, and a strikeout in 2.2 innings is still pretty good. More surprisingly was Doc Cook going for three, with the only blemish the hit that went with his two strikeouts. Eventually failing command from Bob Allen led to the walk-off win, as he put three on with walks, but everything can be blamed on the Buddy Byrd error that was the only reason extras were needed in the first place.

Even though Pug blew the lead in the 16 inning marathon, it should take nothing away from his overall body of work. Appearing 5 of our 7 games, he completed 10 innings, allowing just 7 hits and 2 runs with 3 strikeouts. Qualifying for the ERA title always felt like a longshot, but 133.2 innings is nothing to laugh at, and when it's paired with a 2.69 ERA (155 ERA+) and 1.15 WHIP in 68 appearances, it's truly a remarkable feat. Having one of the best seasons of his career, the 33-year-old is now 12-4 with 23 saves, 38 walks, and 96 strikeouts. His 2.5 K/BB would just ever-so-slightly set a personal best, as if they stay about the same or improve, his ERA, WHIP, and win percentage will be bests too.

I also kind of jinxed Jack Gibson, who will now be shut down tor the rest of the season. Thankfully, it's just minor knee soreness that will impact his running, but considering how many issues he had with his MCL tear, there's absolutely no reason to push him through anything. It sucks because now he won't reach 40 homers, coming one shy with 39, but overall it was an extremely promising season for Gibson. Having not picked up a bat for nearly 20 months, playing 117 games and hitting .289/.323/.582 (136 OPS+) is about all you can ask for. Sure, health would have been preferred, but a 141 WRC+, 5.4 WAR, and 54 extra base hits is basically star level production, and it makes me very encouraged for what he can do next season.

In the interim, we need to fill an infield spot, and it will be done in two ways. Against righties, Cal Randall will shift from third to second, allowing him a chance to get more reps at a position he just started learning this year. An elite shortstop and third basemen, it's only a matter of time before second is the same, and we won't miss a step at third as George McKee can take the hot corner. Arguably our strongest thrower, the almost 26-year-old McKee has hit just .229/.275/.337 (63 OPS+) in 189 PAs, but he's a far better player then the line shows. Best suited for a utility role, he doesn't strike out too much, and he hit a lot of extra base hits. McKee has 8 doubles, 3 homers, and a triple, with 8 in just 109 PAs last season. Then against lefties, Buddy Byrd has one last chance to show he should still sit on our bench, though his offensive production has seemed to completely crater. Hitting a pitiful .172/.243/.234 (29 OPS+) in 70 PAs, it's tough to make that line any worse, and since he's a reliable defender with great speed he'll still provide some value without the bat. I did debate using the graduated 62nd prospect Pete Meany, but he has no risk of losing his 40-man spot. His three options may work against him earning a bench job next year, so there's really nothing more he can do this year then he already has. Whether he's on the bench in 1964 is about the rest of the roster, not him, which makes it pretty likely he'll work on some of his lesser played positions in Milwaukee before a return to Chicago.

We didn't really hit this week, as the only regular to finish the week both healthy and with an above average OPS+ was Dode Caudill. Dode hit his 27th double, 14th triple, and 21st homer on the season, 7-for-23 with 2 RBIs, 3 runs, and 4 walks. In 149 games he's now been worth 5.5 WAR, and he's got an outside chance to reach 6 in his rookie season. In a crowded Kellogg race he's just 2nd among rookies in WAR, but Dode leads in hits (187), runs (119), triples (14), total bases (305), and steals (22). He's got my vote, that's for sure, but it's still truly remarkable how five hitters and a pitcher all have legitimate claims for easily the most contested race since the award was founded in 1946.

Last little note is on the prospect front, third base help may be on the way! Bill Grimm has a 4 rated eye! 4! If he can just put the ball in play a bit more, the 19-year-old infielder might be in Chicago very soon!

Looking Ahead
Even though for some clubs it is only one game, there is still a week of minor league baseball left, so I can't use my weekend to work on the End of the Season Minor League Report, but I could add some callups. Thing is, there's no one I really want to call up, so I think we'll just ride it out with 30 players the rest of the year. Six spots remain on the 40 so I could have gotten an early look at our Rule-5 eligible prospects, but none are really FABL ready. I considered Billy Thompson, but again the elite defensive center fielder missed time with injuries and I don't really want to risk anything for a few off the bench appearances.

It's a road and home series this week, as we'll visit the Imperials and host the Kings. The two teams could not be much different, as one can't pitch or hit, and the other can pitch and hit. Jack Gibson getting hurt pretty much sealed Hank Williams (.377, 42, 135) winning triple crown, even if our guys can keep him the park. One guy we won't see on the week is Gene Bailey (21-4, 3.06, 173), as he's out for the season with a sore shoulder. Lucky for the Kings, he should be back for the WCS, costing him the strikeout title but not likely the win lead. He's 4 up on Forester ace Adrian Czerwinski (17-8, 3.11, 171), and it would be almost impossible for him to win five of the Foresters next eleven games. Just not happening. It does make this series a little easier, and since it's in Chicago, there's a good chance we can actually win the series.

Go Cougars!

04-05-2025, 05:41 PM	#1637
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Week 24: September 9th-September 15th Weekly Record: 4-3 Seasonal Record: 88-63 (3rd, 17 GB) Stars of the Week Jack Gibson : 23 AB, 8 H, 1 HR, 3 RBI, .348 AVG, .945 OPS Dode Caudill : 23 AB, 7 H, 1 HR, 2 RBI, .304 AVG, .973 OPS Pug White : 1 Win, 1 Saves, 10.0 IP, 0 BB, 3 K, 1.80 ERA Schedule 9-9: Win at Wolves (3-2) 9-10: Win at Wolves (4-3): 11 innings 9-11: Loss at Wolves (2-5) 9-12: Loss at Wolves (5-6): 16 innings 9-13: Win vs Cannons (3-4) 9-14: Loss vs Cannons (4-1) 9-15: Win vs Cannons (3-4) Recap One of the strangest weeks we've had all year, as the week we were eliminated from the postseason, we won four one run games. Four of them! It also more or less happened as expected, better at home (2-1) then the road (2-2), but a split was nice in Toronto, and we added a pair of wins to our win total with two more weeks left. A 90-win season is almost a lock, and we'll have our highest win total since at least 1946 where we won 92 games, but perhaps as far back as 1941, the last time we won a pennant. The World Championship Series was an embarrassment, four one-run losses in a series where we outscored our opponents by 20 or so runs, and the 97 wins we won that season will likely remain tied for the most in a Cougar season. We had a super interesting game in Toronto, as after scoring 4 runs each in the first 4 innings, both animal teams stayed scoreless until we got one in the 8th and they avoided the loss with one in the 9th. It was a rare misstep from Pug, who allowed the tying run, but 2 hits, a run, and a strikeout in 2.2 innings is still pretty good. More surprisingly was Doc Cook going for three, with the only blemish the hit that went with his two strikeouts. Eventually failing command from Bob Allen led to the walk-off win, as he put three on with walks, but everything can be blamed on the Buddy Byrd error that was the only reason extras were needed in the first place. Even though Pug blew the lead in the 16 inning marathon, it should take nothing away from his overall body of work. Appearing 5 of our 7 games, he completed 10 innings, allowing just 7 hits and 2 runs with 3 strikeouts. Qualifying for the ERA title always felt like a longshot, but 133.2 innings is nothing to laugh at, and when it's paired with a 2.69 ERA (155 ERA+) and 1.15 WHIP in 68 appearances, it's truly a remarkable feat. Having one of the best seasons of his career, the 33-year-old is now 12-4 with 23 saves, 38 walks, and 96 strikeouts. His 2.5 K/BB would just ever-so-slightly set a personal best, as if they stay about the same or improve, his ERA, WHIP, and win percentage will be bests too. I also kind of jinxed Jack Gibson, who will now be shut down tor the rest of the season. Thankfully, it's just minor knee soreness that will impact his running, but considering how many issues he had with his MCL tear, there's absolutely no reason to push him through anything. It sucks because now he won't reach 40 homers, coming one shy with 39, but overall it was an extremely promising season for Gibson. Having not picked up a bat for nearly 20 months, playing 117 games and hitting .289/.323/.582 (136 OPS+) is about all you can ask for. Sure, health would have been preferred, but a 141 WRC+, 5.4 WAR, and 54 extra base hits is basically star level production, and it makes me very encouraged for what he can do next season. In the interim, we need to fill an infield spot, and it will be done in two ways. Against righties, Cal Randall will shift from third to second, allowing him a chance to get more reps at a position he just started learning this year. An elite shortstop and third basemen, it's only a matter of time before second is the same, and we won't miss a step at third as George McKee can take the hot corner. Arguably our strongest thrower, the almost 26-year-old McKee has hit just .229/.275/.337 (63 OPS+) in 189 PAs, but he's a far better player then the line shows. Best suited for a utility role, he doesn't strike out too much, and he hit a lot of extra base hits. McKee has 8 doubles, 3 homers, and a triple, with 8 in just 109 PAs last season. Then against lefties, Buddy Byrd has one last chance to show he should still sit on our bench, though his offensive production has seemed to completely crater. Hitting a pitiful .172/.243/.234 (29 OPS+) in 70 PAs, it's tough to make that line any worse, and since he's a reliable defender with great speed he'll still provide some value without the bat. I did debate using the graduated 62nd prospect Pete Meany, but he has no risk of losing his 40-man spot. His three options may work against him earning a bench job next year, so there's really nothing more he can do this year then he already has. Whether he's on the bench in 1964 is about the rest of the roster, not him, which makes it pretty likely he'll work on some of his lesser played positions in Milwaukee before a return to Chicago. We didn't really hit this week, as the only regular to finish the week both healthy and with an above average OPS+ was Dode Caudill. Dode hit his 27th double, 14th triple, and 21st homer on the season, 7-for-23 with 2 RBIs, 3 runs, and 4 walks. In 149 games he's now been worth 5.5 WAR, and he's got an outside chance to reach 6 in his rookie season. In a crowded Kellogg race he's just 2nd among rookies in WAR, but Dode leads in hits (187), runs (119), triples (14), total bases (305), and steals (22). He's got my vote, that's for sure, but it's still truly remarkable how five hitters and a pitcher all have legitimate claims for easily the most contested race since the award was founded in 1946. Last little note is on the prospect front, third base help may be on the way! Bill Grimm has a 4 rated eye! 4! If he can just put the ball in play a bit more, the 19-year-old infielder might be in Chicago very soon! Looking Ahead Even though for some clubs it is only one game, there is still a week of minor league baseball left, so I can't use my weekend to work on the End of the Season Minor League Report, but I could add some callups. Thing is, there's no one I really want to call up, so I think we'll just ride it out with 30 players the rest of the year. Six spots remain on the 40 so I could have gotten an early look at our Rule-5 eligible prospects, but none are really FABL ready. I considered Billy Thompson, but again the elite defensive center fielder missed time with injuries and I don't really want to risk anything for a few off the bench appearances. It's a road and home series this week, as we'll visit the Imperials and host the Kings. The two teams could not be much different, as one can't pitch or hit, and the other can pitch and hit. Jack Gibson getting hurt pretty much sealed Hank Williams (.377, 42, 135) winning triple crown, even if our guys can keep him the park. One guy we won't see on the week is Gene Bailey (21-4, 3.06, 173), as he's out for the season with a sore shoulder. Lucky for the Kings, he should be back for the WCS, costing him the strikeout title but not likely the win lead. He's 4 up on Forester ace Adrian Czerwinski (17-8, 3.11, 171), and it would be almost impossible for him to win five of the Foresters next eleven games. Just not happening. It does make this series a little easier, and since it's in Chicago, there's a good chance we can actually win the series. Go Cougars!