The Beautiful Game (of Baseball)

[jasg224]

April 1895
England - First Division


Blackburn are on a hot start, and there's nothing better to exemplify this than the 8-game winning streak they had mid-April. They're currently the best offensive team and the 3rd best defensive team in the league. After 9 starts, England's new ace Peter Neilson is on pace for a season as good as last year's. Hitter of the month Darren Hartshorn is having an all-time start to the season, breaking the record with a 32-game hitting streak extending from last year. In 22 games this year, The Count has 39 hits, 9 of them for extra bases and 21 runs driven in. Young Liam Mangnall is having a better season than last year, when he won the YPoTY and PoTY awards. The Rovers are looking like the team to beat early in the season, though it is a tight race at the top.

West Bromwich Albion is just a half-game back from Blackburn, with a second-best defense that led them to a 7-game lossless streak to end the month. 8-year veteran Sebastian Burns has allowed just 5 clean runs in 67 innings of work with Marvin Healy and Conor Wickens not too far behind in terms of performances. Clyde Martin has been their best hitter so far, with a .994 OPS and 17 runs driven in. The bats are not the hottest, but that is not necessary when the defense allows just 2 or 3 runs per game. The Throstles should be treated as serious contenders this year and they could finally bag their first title.

The Toffees are also a half-game back from Blackburn, though they owe it to an exciting offense. Though their schedule has been somewhat amicable, they've managed to crush Aston Villa, Grimsby, Preston, Stoke and Wolverhampton. SS Riley Thomas and LF Douglas Rousset have been their key players, driving in 25 runs on 43 hits between the two. Righty Oscar Swan isn't doing himself any favors, with a 3.74 ERA to start the season after putting up a career-worst 4.32 last year. Everton are relying on a 43 year-old Everton Taylor to perform on the mound and keep things close, which can't be a good sign. The Liverpool outfit are a talented team, but will it all gel together for them to finally get the trophy?

At the bottom of the table, Darwen and Sheffield United are looking like second division teams. They're unable to score runs, though the Blades' pitching is not beyond recovery and they might escape the trial matches if Preston, Bolton or Manchester city have a dip in form.

Top Hitters
3B Andrew Oldham - Manchester City - .376/.448/.435, 5 2B, 18 RBI, 2 SB
LF Dwayne Baird - Burton - .313/.333/.374, 4 2B, 1 3B, 10 RBI, 9 SB
LF Darren Hartshorn - Blackburn - .429/.490/.571, 7 2B, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 6 SB
3B Riley Creamer - Stoke - .403/.438/.642, 10 2B, 3 3B, 11 RBI, 3 SB
2B Ryan Peters - Burton S. - .393/.419/.472, 5 2B, 1 3B, 10 RBI

Top Pitchers
RH Sebastian Burns - West Brom. - 8 GS, 7-1, 67.2 IP, 0.67 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 19 K, 18 BB
LH Brad Burrows - Blackburn - 7 GS, 5-1, 58.1 IP, 3.24 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 19 K, 25 BB
LH Keith Coleman - Burnley - 8 GS, 5-2, 70.2 IP, 2.04 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 28 K, 15 BB
LH Derek Hawtin - Bolton - 3 GS, 4-0, 37.1 IP, 2.17 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 4 K, 13 BB
RH Ben Gibson - Burton S. - 6 GS, 4-1, 54.2 IP, 3.46 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 11 K, 9 BB

England - Second Division


Crewe Alexandra sit atop the league table thanks to their league-best rotation. Their rotation is headlined by a pair of young Irish lefties: Devin Murphy (5-2, 2.04 ERA) and Shawn Reynolds (4-1, 2.45 ERA). They've been fantastic, giving an otherwise mediocre offense a chance to shine. This is best exemplified in their 10-game lossless streak in mid-April. They had 3 shutouts, averaging 1.5 runs allowed in that time span while scoring 3.8 runs on average. Scottish vet Gregor Murray has been the highlight of their offense, driving in 11 runs and stealing 8 bases with a .753 OPS.

Port Vale have climbed up the ladder quickly in their short history, and are now looking at serious chances to play in the test games. Their rotation is led by Denzel Butterworth (7-2, 2.60 ERA) but it is their offense that has pushed them through. They have a second best OPS of .751, with players like 1B Lewis Hallworth (16 RBI, .871 OPS), 3B Tyler Pocock (13 RBI, .773 OPS) and 2B Fergus Robinson (9 RBI, .771 OPS) leading the way for the Valiants. They've handled former First Division teams nicely, sweeping Newton Heath and Rotherham and winning the series against Nottingham. Port Vale could sneak into the First Division come August.

Rotherham Town don't have flashy numbers overall, but a 4-game winning streak has them in 3rd place. Ghana-born pitcher Arthur Wharton (5-2, 1.94 ERA) leads a 4th best rotation while SS Gavin Gordon (13 RBI, .902 OPS) and RF Colin Cox (10 RBI, .979 OPS) lead the charge offensively. Their numbers are not the greatest, but continuing this hot streak could cement them in 3rd place and just one series away from the First Division.

Top Hitters
2B Michael McLoughlin - Burton W. - .357/.432/.464, 6 2B, 1 HR, 12 RBI
SS Joel Lucas - Bury - .358/.382/.585, 1 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 3 SB
2B Gary Cowie - Liverpool - .438/.475/.618, 10 2B, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 8 SB
1B Declan Bowles - Leicester - .429/.471/1.000, 2 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI
RF Jake Kelly - Newcastle - .372/.413/.535, 5 2B, 3 HR, 14 RBI

Top Pitchers
RHP Mitchell Tempest - Small Heath - 8 GS, 6-1, 72.1 IP, 1.24 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 63 K, 24 BB
RHP Glen Rice - Bury - 10 GS, 5-1, 75.2 IP, 1.43 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 41 K, 9 BB
RHP Denzel Butterworth - Port Vale - 11 GS, 7-2, 86.2 IP, 2.60 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 70 K, 13 BB
LHP Devin Murphy - Crewe Alexandra - 10 GS, 5-2, 75 IP, 2.04 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 54 K, 32 BB
RHP Kieran Nicol - Newcastle - 9 GS, 5-1, 64.2 IP, 2.37 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 40 K, 8 BB

Scotland - Division One


Dumbarton's great start carries them into first place, but they may be due for a crash back down. The Sons are 5th in runs scored and 9th in runs allowed. Their ace in James McDonald has 6 wins despite putting up a 4.83 ERA. Their offense has been firing on all cylinders however, and Scotland star Lewis Johnston hasn't been their top performer. That title belongs to 3B Keith Cliff, who owns a .408/.443/.549 slash with 11 RBI. Just over one month of games is left and Dumbarton are just one game ahead, will they remain consistent enough to earn a second championship?

A surprise contender has emerged in the form of Abercorn. After being promoted just last year, they're showing they definitely belong at this level. The Paisley club has scored the 3rd most runs and have the 5th best defense in the league so far. After 6 years with Abercorn, 5' 6" righty has a 2.25 career ERA and a 3.58 ERA in his second season in Division One. CF Daniel Allison is making up for a lack of skill in the outfield with an amazing hitting record so far: .383/.462/.531 with 3 doubles and 3 triples, one homer and 18 runs driven in. Will their run hold up in the second leg of the season? We'll find out!

Also surprisingly, Renton are sitting in 3rd, though they did finish in 3rd place in 1892. Lefty Nathan Maxwell has a 7-1 record (7-0 with a 1.73 ERA before his last start, giving up 12 runs in 2 innings), with a career low 1.29 WHIP. Their offense is the 4th best, thanks in large part to RF Charlie McIntosh (.368/.417/.461, 11 RBI) and SS Andrew Baird (.312/.333/.344, 8 RBI). They're a dark horse choice, but it seems like they're not well-rounded enough to truly compete.

Rangers have been another surprise, but for all the wrong reasons and are now in last place. After back-to-back titles, it seems like their offense has been figured out by the rest of the league. They've allowed the 2nd less runs this season, and the table is tight all-around so a full recovery may be possible for the Glasgow outfit.

Top Hitters
CF Daniel Allison - Abercorn - .383/.462/.531, 3 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 16 SB
3B Daniel Morrison - St. Mirren - .371/.406/.461, 4 2B, 2 3B, 12 RBI, 5 SB
3B Keith Cliff - Dumbarton - .408/.443/.549, 6 2B, 2 3B, 11 RBI, 1 SB
3B Jayden Broadbent - 3rd LRV - .456/.511/.570, 7 2B, 1 3B, 13 RBI
LF Harry Wilson - Clyde - .390/.425/.488, 8 2B, 6 RBI

Top Pitchers
LHP Scott Weir - St. Mirren - 8 GS, 7-1, 71.2 IP, 2.64 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 17 K, 20 BB
LHP Nathan Maxwell - Renton - 8 GS, 7-1, 64.1 IP, 3.36 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 18 K, 21 BB
RHP Samuel Stewart - Renton - 7 GS, 1-4, 57.2 IP, 3.12 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 7 K, 14 BB
LHP Connor Mackenzie - Celtic - 5 GS, 4-1, 43.2 IP, 4.53 ERA, 1.74 WHIP, 5 K, 21 BB
RHP Lewis Mitchell - Leith - 8 GS, 3-4, 70 IP, 3.09 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 11 K, 13 BB

Scotland - Division Two


St. Bernard's is leading the race for a return to Division One. After being relegated in 1893, they are now leading the league in both offense and defense. Dundee (2nd in offense, 3rd in defense) are just a game and a half back, trying to make an immediate return. Other clubs in Hibernian and Greenock are close in the race, but probably don't have enough to earn promotion.

Top Hitters
3B Archie Lambert - Pt. Glasgow - .462/.514/.631, 4 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 1 SB
LF Ossnain Dillon - Kilmarnock - .386/.411/.534, 8 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 23 RBI
LF Logan Weir - St. Bernard's - .407/.455/.648, 3 2B, 8 3B, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 25 SB
LF Reece Ferguson - Pt. Glasgow - .410/.479/.578, 11 2B, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 1 SB
2B Cowal Wilson - Partick T. - .337/.402/.554, 5 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 1 SB

Top Pitchers
RHP Dylan Graham - Dundee - 7 GS, 5-1, 63 IP, 3.29 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 14 K, 18 BB
RHP Kyle Ritchie - St. Bernard's - 6 GS, 5-0, 47.2 IP, 2.64 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 11 K, 11 BB
RHP Jon Kent - St. Bernard's - 8 GS, 5-2, 71 IP, 2.28 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 13 K, 7 BB
LHP Finlay Fisher - Pt. Glasgow - 7 GS, 5-2, 60.2 IP, 3.56 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 15 K, 38 BB
LHP Randal Roberts - Linthouse - 5 GS, 3-2, 41.2 IP, 3.24 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 8 K, 20 BB

Irish League


This short league sees just a little over a month of action. That was enough for Cliftonville to win it by the finest of margins! The Reds win their second title and their first since 1890! They were the best on offense and second on defense. Cliftonville were 4-2 on the season against Linfield.

Player of the Year
3B Fionn Bailey - Linfield - 1st - .358/.434/.403, 3 2B, 6 RBI, 7 SB, 0.8 WAR

Young Player of the Year
RHP Owen Evans - Cliftonville - 19, 1st - 4 G, 2 GS, 1-3, 26 IP, 5.88 ERA, 2.04 WHIP, 9 K, 10 BB

Team of the Year
C Kellagh Green - Glentoran - 1st - .439/.475/.544, 6 2B, 7 RBI, 3 SB, 1.1 WAR
1B Ronald Crabtree - Cliftonville - 1st - .357/.416/.429, 1 2B, 2 3B, 12 RBI, 2 SB, 0.2 WAR
2B Ethan Brookfield - Glentoran - 1st - .300/.355/.386, 4 2B, 1 3B, 8 RBI, 5 SB, 0.7 WAR
3B Fionn Bailey - Linfield - 1st - .358/.434/.403, 3 2B, 6 RBI, 7 SB, 0.8 WAR
SS Kian Anderson - Cliftonville - 1st - .301/.325/.411, 6 2B, 1 3B, 7 RBI, 1 SB, 0.6 WAR
LF Tyler Elliot - Cliftonville - 2nd - .383/.439/.433, 3 2B, 8 RBI, 5 SB, 0.1 WAR
CF Breandan O'Sullivan - Glentoran - 1st - .359/.388/.422, 2 2B, 1 3B, 11 RBI, 6 SB, -0.2 WAR
RF Paul Brady - Glentoran - 1st - .390/.419/.424, 2 2B, 5 RBI, 1 SB, 0.3 WAR
DH Liam Moffat - Distillery - 2nd - .329/.388/.411, 3 2B, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 2 SB, 0.2 WAR
P Damien Morris - Linfield - 1st - 8 GS, 4-3, 69 IP, 2.48 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 25 K, 14 BB, 1.2 WAR

Belgian Coupe de Championnat


The Belgians only play games on the weekends (my bad). Racing Liège's season began with a 6-game winning streak, thanks in large part to some nice pitching. They're 5th in runs scored with 2B Marceau Dumortier (.353/.421/.529, 5 RBI), LF Onne van Veen (.368/.375/.421, 3 RBI) and 1B Moos van Horssen (.355/.429/.484, 9 RBI) bringing in 38% of the club's runs. On the pitching side, Dennie van Bemmelen (3-0, 1.33 ERA) has been their best pitcher so far. With the season scheduled to end in early July, there's still a long way though just 24 games left to be played.

Antwerp, the oldest club in the nation, are hot on Racing Liège's tail. Despite having more wins, Liège's tie and less games played keep them in first place. Antwerp are the opposite of the Sang et Marine, leading the league in runs scored though only 4th in runs allowed. Sjoerd van Rij (4-0, 3.03 ERA) has yet to lose a game this season, even after allowing 8 runs (7 earned) against Léopold. CF Philip Berg has been the best player of the season, putting up a .426/.472/.553 slash with 8 runs driven in. Will their offense make the difference, or will RCL's pitching staff lead them to Belgium's first title? We'll find out!

Top Hitters
CF Philip Berg - Antwerp - .426/.472/.553, 3 2B, 1 HR, 8 RBI
LF Urs Dekker - Léopold - .375/.444/.458, 2 2B, 1 3B, 7 RBI
1B Jean Taillandier - Brugge - .438/.538/.469, 1 2B, 6 RBI, 2 SB
C Joe Jenniskens - Léopold - .360/.373/.440, 4 2B, 7 RBI
LF Onne van Veen - Racing Liège - .368/.375/.421, 2 2B, 3 RBI

Top Pitchers
RH Salim Boucard - Union d'Ixelles - 4 GS, 3-0, 35 IP, 2.57 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 8 K, 7 BB
RH Norman Kamp - Brugge - 3 GS, 2-1, 27 IP, 2.67 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 11 K, 6 BB
RH Dennie van Bemmelen - Liège - 3 GS, 3-0, 27 IP, 1.33 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 5 K, 5 BB
LH Lucas van Gijzen - Liège - 3 GS, 1-1, 27 IP, 3.00 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 11 K, 6 BB
RH Sjoerd van Rij - Antwerp - 4 GS, 4-0, 32.2 IP, 3.03 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 6 K, 6 BB

Argentinian Primera División


With just 3 series left in the season, Lomas, Flores and Lomas' academy are in the race for the title! The main Lomas team will face Flores, Lomas Academy and Retiro in the final 8 games. Flores will face Lomas, Retiro and English High School. Meanwhile, the debate of wether Lomas Academy should even be allowed to participate is growing stronger. The race is on, as Lomas (2nd in both offense and defense) face off against Flores (1st in both categories)!

Top Hitters
RF Nathan Graham - Lomas - .435/.485/.500, 3 2B, 1 HR, 21 RBI
RF Keenan Kavanagh - Lomas A. - .402/.438/.524, 7 2B, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 2 SB
LF Peter Foster - Flores - .418/.470/.527, 10 2B, 19 RBI
RF Jamie Hunter - Flores - .435/.462/.494, 3 2B, 1 3B, 18 RBI, 1 SB
CF Ryan Wilson - Flores - .413/.486/.543, 5 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 5 SB

Top Pitchers
LH Randal Mitchell - Lomas A. - 8 GS, 4-2, 70 IP, 2.44 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 25 K, 11 BB
RH Aaron Thomson - Flores - 8 GS, 6-1, 71.2 IP, 1.38 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 38 K, 17 BB
LH Fernando Ramírez - Retiro - 8 GS, 3-4, 66 IP, 2.45 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 17 K, 20 BB
RH Lewis Ferguson - Lomas - 8 GS, 6-2, 68 IP, 1.99 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 34 K, 11 BB
LH Guillermo Martínez - Lomas A. - 7 GS, 5-2, 59 IP, 3.20 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 16 K, 9 BB