May 1895
England - First Division
Everton had one of the best months in history, losing only 3 games in May. They end the month on a 7 game winning streak. They've got the 3rd best offense in the league right now, paired with the best rotation. This has allowed them to outscore their opponents by a total 121 runs. The veteran Everton Taylor is on pace for the second best season of his career, with a 2.71 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. Oscar Swan (2.90 ERA) and Theo Sanderson (2.90 ERA) are also holding it down in their starts. On the other side, it's been a collective effort, with players like SS Riley Thomas (.351/.394/.422), CF Harvey Dean (.319/.376/.455), LF Douglas Rousset (.348/.401/.508) and 2B Lewis Reade (.354/.381/.464) all having career years. With a month and a half of games remaining, the Toffees are in a great spot and they should go on to win their first ever title.
Blackburn are doing the chasing now after going 15-10-1 in May. They end the month on a 6 game winning streak but Everton's May is hard to match. They have the best offense right now, led by LF Griff Hillier (.355/.420/.482). Southpaw veteran Brad Burrows (3.16 ERA) is leading a top 5 rotation, though Peter Neilson (4.15 ERA) is far from replicating his 1893 Pitcher of the Year campaign and Tony Coulon (4.28 ERA) is pitching like his usual self. Blackburn are outscoring opponents 5.7 to 3.8 on average, and this may be enough to fetch them a third title if Everton weren't playing on another level right now.
At the bottom of the table, Darwen are a shoo-in for the test matches. Sheffield, Bolton, Manchester and Grimsby will battle it out for the remaining spot.
Top Hitters
RF Samuel Patton - Burnley - .383/.434/.561, 10 2B, 5 3B, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 21 SB
SS Riley Thomas - Everton - .351/.394/.422, 6 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 29 RBI, 1 SB
1B Clyde Martin - West Brom - .407/.463/.531, 13 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 33 RBI
3B Andrew Oldham - Manchester - .351/.422/.447, 14 2B, 2 3B, 31 RBI, 4 SB
1B Riley Creamer - Stoke - .380/.419/.602, 20 2B, 7 3B, 1 HR, 35 RBI, 7 SB
Top Pitchers
LHP Brad Burrows - Blackburn - 12-4, 145.1 IP, 3.16 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 46 K, 61 BB
RHP Les Kysel - Wolves - 8-2, 96.1 IP, 2.15 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 26 K, 16 BB
RHP Sebastian Burns - West Brom - 12-6, 151.1 IP, 2.68 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 38 K, 42 BB
LHP Keith Coleman - Burnley - 8-5, 139.2 IP, 2.77 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 53 K, 26 BB
RHP Everton Taylor - Everton - 11-3, 129.2 IP, 2.71 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 40 K, 30 BB
Young Players
SS James Hay - 19 - Blackburn - .296/.322/.377, 11 2B, 1 3B, 32 RBI
2B Nathan Holmes - 22 - West Brom - .351/.395/.404, 6 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 32 RBI, 1 SB
RHP Daniel Scott - 23 - Grimsby - 4-4, 105 IP, 4.37 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, 19 K, 50 BB
C Lenny Trainor - 23 - Sheffield - .247/.293/.295/, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 19 RBI
CF David Martin - 22 - Darwen - .199/.269/.272, 3 2B, 4 3B, 9 RBI, 1 SB
England - Second Division
As things stand, Crewe Alexandra and Loughborough will participate in the test matches. Crewe Alexandra are the 4th best offense and defense in the league. Their rotation is led by the 21 year old lefty Devin Murphy (2.22 ERA) and Mitchell Nunn (2.42 ERA). League leaders such as C Lenny Geraghty (.329/.360/.413), LF Jason McTaggart (.277/.340/.457) and 2B Shaun Welsh (.263/.294/.389) make up the core of a terrifying lineup.
Loughborough are a surprising second place right now, as they're tied for 8th in runs scored and 6th in runs against (11th in starters ERA). Their rotation is highlighted by surprise ace Brandon Curley (1.79 ERA) who had only played amateur ball almost 200 km away in Keighley before this year. RF Andrew Smith (.273/.315/.412) has been the brightest spot in their lineup so far. With 12 ties giving them a .622 winning percentage so far, many questions still remain about Loughborough's candidacy for the test matches.
Top Hitters
RF Jake Kelly - Newcastle - .356/.422/.503, 11 2B, 5 HR, 27 RBI
2B Michael McLoughlin - Burton Wanderers - .301/.367/.430, 12 2B, 4 HR, 30 RBI
RF Micah Smith - Leicester - .264/.345/.368, 8 2B, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 4 SB
2B Robbie Austin - Rotherham - .298/.350/.457, 6 2B, 8 HR, 21 RBI, 6 SB
RF Andrew Smith - Loughborough - .273/.315/.412, 8 2B, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 4 SB
Top Pitchers
LHP Devin Murphy - Crewe Alex - 9-4, 146 IP, 2.22 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 68 BB, 97 K
RHP Mitchell Tempest - Small Heath - 10-4, 141.2 IP, 2.29 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 39 BB, 122 K
RHP Glen Rice - Bury - 8-4, 145 IP, 2.05 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 21 BB, 82 K
RHP Kieran Nicol - Newcastle - 11-3, 132.2 IP, 2.37 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 12 BB, 88 K
RHP Kian Aldridge - Lincoln - 8-6, 159 IP, 2.55 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 29 BB, 157 K
Young Players
LHP Devin Murphy - Crewe Alex
1B Joshua Dickson - Burton Wanderers - .314/.349/.450, 4 2B, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 2 SB
RHP Julian Charge - Sunderland - 7-9, 140.2 IP, 3.39 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 74 BB, 84 K
CF Corey Garside - Newton Heath - .237/.265/.417, 1 2B, 9 HR, 22 RBI, 1 SB
RHP Gregor Brown - Sunderland - 3-9, 108.1 IP, 4.90 ERA, 1.76 WHIP, 70 BB, 73 K
Scotland - Division One
Just 5 games remain in the season and 4 teams are mathematically in contention!
Abercorn have surprised everyone with a fantastic season and are about to win their first title immediately after gaining promotion! With no clear stars, the club is 3rd in both runs scored and allowed. They're 11-3-1 in their last 15 and are just two wins away from completing the feat. Their rotation is headlined by Connor McArthur who transitioned beautifully to Division One, allowing just one homer and 20 walks through 18 starts for a 3.25 ERA. This is his first Division One season since 1892 when he was relegated alongside Abercorn. A veteran lineup is firing on all cylinders, with players such as 2B Thomas Jackson (34, .839 OPS), CF Daniel Allison (33, .881 OPS), C Jamie Brown (37, .815 OPS), 1B Charles McLennan (32, .884 OPS) and LF Denzel Young (34, .738 OPS) putting up performances for the ages. Abercorn will face relegation candidate Leith Athletic and 6th place Renton to close out the year.
Dumbarton are chasing their second title but require a perfect finish against Celtic and Heart of Midlothian to make it. Their bats are cold, 8th in the league, with Keith Cliff (.319/.362/.429), Taylor Gardner (.387/.409/.441) and Lewis Johnston (.354/.429/.461) carrying the team on their backs. On the mound, Graeme Reynolds (2.65 ERA) is trying hard to undo the damage caused by James McDonald (4.21 ERA) and Sean Cairns (4.70 ERA) who are still ahead of him in the rotation. It looks like Dumbarton will have to wait at least another year to celebrate again.
Rangers (who face Clyde and St. Mirren) and 3rd Lanark (who face St. Mirren and Heart of Midlothian) are on the outside looking in and need a truly big break for a shot at the title. This means the 2nd best defense in Rangers will not be enough to fetch them the threepeat.
Clyde and Leith are battling it out to avoid relegation, with Leith currently losing the battle.
Top Hitters
2B Kai Reid - 3rd LRV - .379/.425/.521, 18 2B, 6 3B, 26 RBI, 39 SB
2B Thomas Jackson - Abercorn - .360/.389/.450, 8 2B, 5 3B, 21 RBI, 34 SB
CF Ross Henderson - Heart of Midlothian - .363/.403/.483, 12 2B, 6 3B, 18 RBI, 33 SB
3B Keith Cliff - Dumbarton - .319/.362/.429, 14 2B, 3 3B, 27 RBI, 4 SB
CF Lewis Duff - Leith - .364/.390/.495, 12 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 23 RBI, 8 SB
Top Pitchers
RHP Graeme Reynolds - Dumbarton - 9-5, 125.2 IP, 2.65 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 23 BB, 23 K
LHP Scott Weir - St. Mirren - 12-4, 139.2 IP, 3.74 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 34 BB, 35 K
RHP Connor Millar - 3rd LRV - 10-4, 116.2 IP, 3.32 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 21 BB, 14 K
RHP Samuel Stewart - Renton - 5-9, 146.1 IP, 3.38 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 39 BB, 25 K
RHP Lewis Mitchell - Leith Athletic - 6-9, 144.2 IP, 3.73 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 30 BB, 28 K
Young Players
SS Griff Wainwright - 22 - Heart of Midlothian - .260/.326/.403, 4 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 1 SB
Scotland - Division Two
The promotion race is as tight as ever with just one tied game separating Dundee and St. Bernard's! Dundee are the hotter team, and will face Kilmarnock and Motherwell to close out the season. St. Bernard's have a tougher finish, facing last place Port Glasgow before 3rd place Linthouse visit them. It's a real nail-biter as two great teams attempt to return to Division One!
Top Hitters
LF Logan Weir - St. Bernard's - .362/.458/.583, 9 2B, 13 3B, 3 HR, 39 RBI, 55 SB
3B Archie Lambert - Pt. Glasgow - .412/.457/.562, 5 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 37 RBI, 1 SB
3B Lewis Finlayson - Dundee - .409/.462/.596, 11 2B, 10 3B, 2 HR, 59 RBI, 9 SB
2B Leon Johnson - Linthouse - .364/.445/.566, 11 2B, 10 3B, 3 HR, 26 RBI, 15 SB
SS Conor Davidson - Hibernian - .368/.413/.500, 7 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 37 RBI, 1 SB
Top Pitchers
RHP Jon Kent - St. Bernard's - 11-3, 145.2 IP, 2.84 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 25 BB, 33 K
RHP Dylan Graham - Dundee - 13-2, 147 IP, 4.16 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 38 BB, 38 K
RHP Sam Scott - Dundee - 6-0, 66.2 IP, 3.78 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 21 BB, 9 K
RHP Kyle Ritchie - St. Bernard's - 7-0, 64 IP, 3.66 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 25 BB, 15 K
RHP Dylan Anderson - Dundee - 15-2, 160.1 IP, 3.76 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 33 BB, 62 K
Young Players
LHP Finlay Fisher - 20 - Pt. Glasgow - 8-9, 132.2 IP, 6.31 ERA, 2.01 WHIP, 79 BB, 37 K
C David Baillie - 23 - Hibernian - .303/.363/.413, 5 2B, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 1 SB
Belgium - Coupe de Championnat
Club Brugge have surged from 3rd to first after winning all of their series this month. Their rotation is the best in the league, even with an all-righty lineup: Norman Kamp (3.00 ERA), Nicolas Besson (3.06 ERA) and Constant van de Watering (3.15 ERA). In the box, it's been a team effort in an offense-heavy league with the likes of LF Denie Cornelissen (.392/.432/.486), 1B Jean Taillandier (.373/.455/.400) and 1B Emmanuel Malherbe (.391/.424/.402) mashing day in and day out. With just over a month to go, the Blauw-Zwart could seal it in June.
Antwerp also had an amazing month, but losing their series to Brugge leaves them still in second place. They've got the 3rd best rotation in the league, thanks in large part to Sjoerd van Rij (2.49 ERA), who's an early Pitcher of the Year contender. Their lineup is the 2nd highest scoring in the league, with C Abel Truong (.440/.455/.571) and CF Philip Berg (.364/.402/.477) fighting it out for Player of the Year honors.
June will show exactly what Liège are made of, after dropping to 3rd this month, as they visit both Antwerp and Brugge. Dennie van Bemmelen (1.71 ERA) has put in some work, winning all 7 of his starts. The Sang et Marine's bats are cold, and their 4.6 runs per game are the 2nd worst so far. Still close in the race, the dip in form could mean the end of Liège's hopes in the Coupe de Championnat's maiden season.
Top Hitters
C Abel Truong - Antwerp - .440/.455/.571, 3 2B, 3 HR, 21 RBI
CF Philip Berg - Antwerp - .364/.402/.477, 4 2B, 2 HR, 16 RBI
LF Dustin Vermeulen - Léopold - .404/.467/.543, 2 2B, 4 3B, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 2 SB
2B Marceau Dumortier - Liège - .370/.425/.493, 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 6 SB
LF Aad Boltjes - Bruxelles Sp. - .367/.438/.456, 6 2B, 1 3B, 5 RBI, 3 SB
Top Pitchers
RHP Dennie van Bemmelen - Liège - 7-0, 63 IP, 1.71 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 8 BB, 15 K
RHP Sjoerd van Rij - Antwerp - 7-1, 68.2 IP, 2.49 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 15 BB, 18 K
RHP Salim Boucard - Ixelles - 5-1, 57.1 IP, 3.45 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 13 BB, 15 K
RHP Constant van de Watering - Brugges - 4-3, 60 IP, 3.15 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 8 BB, 11 K
RHP Frederik van Mourik - Léopold - 4-4, 62.1 IP, 4.33 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 10 BB, 15 K
Young Players
2B Marceau Dumortier - 20 - Liège
3B Luc Lopez - 21 - Bruxelles Sp. - .330/.371/.443, 6 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 1 SB
RHP Reynold Verhoeven - 22 - Bruxelles Sp. - 1-2, 47.2 IP, 5.10 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, 34 BB, 8 K
Argentina - Primera División
One loss makes all the difference as Flores win back-to-back titles! Flores' series win against Lomas to start the month ensured their title.
Mejor Equipo
C Stephen Scott - Lomas, 1st - .381/.436/.476, 4 2B, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 25% RTO
1B Josh Gillies - Flores, 2nd - .328/.381/.416, 5 2B, 3 3B, 17 RBI, 9 SB
2B Connor Carmichael - Flores, 2nd - .320/.385/.410, 6 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 15 RBI
3B Jack McLellan - Flores, 2nd - .347/.386/.372, 3 2B, 16 RBI
SS Luke Scott - Lomas, 1st - .296/.379/.361, 4 2B, 1 HR, 10 RBI
LF Peter Foster - Flores, 2nd - .415/.474/.496, 10 2B, 23 RBI
CF Ryan Wilson - Flores, 2nd - .408/.483/.528, 8 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 22 RBI, 5 SB
RF Jamie Hunter - Flores, 1st - .414/.453/.466, 4 2B, 1 3B, 24 RBI, 1 SB
DH Ethan Cairns - Flores, 1st - .398/.500/.466, 5 2B, 1 HR, 20 RBI
P Aaron Thomson - Flores, 2nd - 8-1, 89.2 IP, 1.10 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 18 BB, 53 K