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liberty-ca · 12-12-2025, 09:30 PM

✉️ Prayers Fan Mailbag: May’s Mounting Injuries and Pitching Resilience 🤕

April was pure fantasy, but May brought the Sacramento Prayers (38-16) crashing back to reality. The team finished the month with a modest 16-13 record, bringing their overall winning percentage down from the stratosphere, but still maintaining the best record in the American League.

We dive into your questions about the team's health crisis, the pitching staff’s resilience, and the players stepping up.

Dear Prayers Mailbag, May was a bumpy month, especially with all the injuries. We lost Musco and now Murguia is out for two months! How does the team survive missing its two best hitters?
— Danielle from Dixon

Danielle, this is the million-dollar question heading into June. Losing Edwin Musco (top hitter, 11 HR) was a massive blow, but losing Eli Murguia (team AVG/RBI leader) for two months is catastrophic.

The only way the team survives is through elite pitching and the emergence of two key players:

1. Alex Velasquez: He has completely stepped up, finishing May tied with Murguia for the team lead in 34 RBIs and tying Bret Perez for the team lead in home runs (9). He is the new foundation of the offense.
2. Bret Perez: He continues to be a star (.297 AVG, 9 HR, AL-leading 18 SB). He needs to maintain his multi-tool production in the leadoff spot.

The reality is, the rest of the lineup needs to collectively replace Musco's and Murguia's 400+ average points and 68 RBIs. It’s going to be tough, especially with the second base position being a black hole right now.

The team still has the best ERA in the AL (2.77) despite the starters getting tired. How have Jordan Rubalcava and Russ Gray managed to stay so good even as their pitch counts and fatigue mount?
— Steve in Sutter Creek

Steve, it's a testament to their talent and perhaps a little bit of luck! They truly are a fantastic 1-2 punch.

Rubalcava (9-2, 1.94 ERA) is an innings eater who somehow maintains a sub-2.00 ERA. His last two starts, including a masterful 8.1 IP one-run gem on May 31st, show his determination.
Gray (8-2, 1.99 ERA) continues to be hyper-efficient. The coaching staff is smart to give him extra rest, as his effectiveness is too valuable to risk.

However, nearly the entire rotation is tired and that is a huge red flag. The team needs their long relievers (David Garza at 0.39 ERA) and setup man (Matt Wright at 2.81 ERA) to be ready to eat up more innings in June to protect those starters.

I was really worried when Jordan Rubalcava had that terrible start in Seattle (7 ER). Was that just a one-off, or is he actually running out of gas?
— Melissa from Midtown

Melissa, it was a major concern at the time, but he answered it emphatically! That 7-run outing against the Lucifers was clearly an anomaly, as he bounced back in his very next start on May 31st to throw 8.1 innings of one-run ball.

I think the fatigue is real — the wear and tear of May is showing — but his Seattle start looks like a blip in an otherwise superb season. The real key will be how he and the rest of the staff perform on the upcoming road trip.

Is there any good news about the injured players? What about Fernando Salazar—is he going to be the new ace?
— Ricardo in Roseville

Ricardo, the injury news is all bad, unfortunately. Musco and Murguia are out for the long haul, and even the backups like Iniguez are still struggling.

The good news is Fernando Salazar (5-3, 2.45 ERA) is certainly rising to the occasion! He was the staff's "Who's Hot?" pitcher to end May, confirming his spot as the solid third starter. He is well rested, which means he should be the most dependable arm for the Prayers in the first week of June. If he continues his current pace, he could very well be the co-ace alongside Gray and Rubalcava.

The team closed May only 5.0 games up, and the Lucifers are chasing hard. Are we still favorites to win the AL West despite the injuries?
— Jessica from Jackson

Jessica, absolutely. While the 5.0 game lead isn't the insurmountable margin we saw in April, the Prayers are still 38-16 with a commanding division lead. They are an elite team with the best run differential (Runs Scored 260 vs. Runs Allowed 157) in the league.

The upcoming road trip against the Washington Devils (a terrible team) is a huge opportunity to cushion that lead while they still have the pitching to dominate. If they can sweep Washington, they’ll create some breathing room that will be desperately needed when the injuries truly test their depth in mid-to-late June.

12-12-2025, 09:30 PM	#41
liberty-ca Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 336	✉️ Prayers Fan Mailbag: May’s Mounting Injuries and Pitching Resilience 🤕 April was pure fantasy, but May brought the Sacramento Prayers (38-16) crashing back to reality. The team finished the month with a modest 16-13 record, bringing their overall winning percentage down from the stratosphere, but still maintaining the best record in the American League. We dive into your questions about the team's health crisis, the pitching staff’s resilience, and the players stepping up. Dear Prayers Mailbag, May was a bumpy month, especially with all the injuries. We lost Musco and now Murguia is out for two months! How does the team survive missing its two best hitters? — Danielle from Dixon Danielle, this is the million-dollar question heading into June. Losing Edwin Musco (top hitter, 11 HR) was a massive blow, but losing Eli Murguia (team AVG/RBI leader) for two months is catastrophic. The only way the team survives is through elite pitching and the emergence of two key players: 1. Alex Velasquez: He has completely stepped up, finishing May tied with Murguia for the team lead in 34 RBIs and tying Bret Perez for the team lead in home runs (9). He is the new foundation of the offense. 2. Bret Perez: He continues to be a star (.297 AVG, 9 HR, AL-leading 18 SB). He needs to maintain his multi-tool production in the leadoff spot. The reality is, the rest of the lineup needs to collectively replace Musco's and Murguia's 400+ average points and 68 RBIs. It’s going to be tough, especially with the second base position being a black hole right now. The team still has the best ERA in the AL (2.77) despite the starters getting tired. How have Jordan Rubalcava and Russ Gray managed to stay so good even as their pitch counts and fatigue mount? — Steve in Sutter Creek Steve, it's a testament to their talent and perhaps a little bit of luck! They truly are a fantastic 1-2 punch. Rubalcava (9-2, 1.94 ERA) is an innings eater who somehow maintains a sub-2.00 ERA. His last two starts, including a masterful 8.1 IP one-run gem on May 31st, show his determination. Gray (8-2, 1.99 ERA) continues to be hyper-efficient. The coaching staff is smart to give him extra rest, as his effectiveness is too valuable to risk. However, nearly the entire rotation is tired and that is a huge red flag. The team needs their long relievers (David Garza at 0.39 ERA) and setup man (Matt Wright at 2.81 ERA) to be ready to eat up more innings in June to protect those starters. I was really worried when Jordan Rubalcava had that terrible start in Seattle (7 ER). Was that just a one-off, or is he actually running out of gas? — Melissa from Midtown Melissa, it was a major concern at the time, but he answered it emphatically! That 7-run outing against the Lucifers was clearly an anomaly, as he bounced back in his very next start on May 31st to throw 8.1 innings of one-run ball. I think the fatigue is real — the wear and tear of May is showing — but his Seattle start looks like a blip in an otherwise superb season. The real key will be how he and the rest of the staff perform on the upcoming road trip. Is there any good news about the injured players? What about Fernando Salazar—is he going to be the new ace? — Ricardo in Roseville Ricardo, the injury news is all bad, unfortunately. Musco and Murguia are out for the long haul, and even the backups like Iniguez are still struggling. The good news is Fernando Salazar (5-3, 2.45 ERA) is certainly rising to the occasion! He was the staff's "Who's Hot?" pitcher to end May, confirming his spot as the solid third starter. He is well rested, which means he should be the most dependable arm for the Prayers in the first week of June. If he continues his current pace, he could very well be the co-ace alongside Gray and Rubalcava. The team closed May only 5.0 games up, and the Lucifers are chasing hard. Are we still favorites to win the AL West despite the injuries? — Jessica from Jackson Jessica, absolutely. While the 5.0 game lead isn't the insurmountable margin we saw in April, the Prayers are still 38-16 with a commanding division lead. They are an elite team with the best run differential (Runs Scored 260 vs. Runs Allowed 157) in the league. The upcoming road trip against the Washington Devils (a terrible team) is a huge opportunity to cushion that lead while they still have the pitching to dominate. If they can sweep Washington, they’ll create some breathing room that will be desperately needed when the injuries truly test their depth in mid-to-late June.