The Expos got back on track in July.
The month started with the Expos losing the last game in the series against the Braves, and 2 of 3 versus Miami. At this point, I was informed LF Boissiere to the DL for three weeks and SP Locey for four weeks. The Locey injury had two effects as first, I would no longer be able to shop him around at the trade deadline and second it accelerated my plan to promote SP Salazar from AAA.
The Expos went on to win 3 of 4 versus the Reds and 2 of 3 versus the Indians before the all star break. This year two of my relievers, RP Beddingfield and CL Burdi made the all star team.
After the break, the Expos won 3 of 4 versus the Phillies. 2B Case rejoined the Expos from his rehab assignment after this series. The Expos then won 1 of 3 versus the Dodgers and 1 of 3 versus the Padres. At this point RF Lindberg was activated from his rehab assignment.
The month concluded with the Expos winning 2 of 3 versus the Cardinals and splitting the first two games of a series against the Nationals. This all adds up to a 15-11 record for the month.
The Expos are sitting at 53-50 for the season, in third place in the NL East. The Mets are running away with the division, but I am only 3.5 games back from Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh holds the top wild card seed and the Expos are 1.5 games back of the Dodgers for the second wild card spot. The NL East Phillies are 1.5 games back of me at this point.
Below is a snapshot of the July batting performances:
SS Flores continues the strong start to his MLB career. RF Kirilloff and 1B Franco also had good months.
And the pitchers:
SP Gausman led the rotation this month. SP Caballero and SP Killough both pitched well, though Killough's 5.66 FIP suggests he was a bit lucky. SP Salazar was a bit unlucky in his four starts as he had a 4.72 ERA and 3.70 FIP. After being possibly my best starter for the first half of the season, SP Dobashi struggled significantly in July.
RP Smith had another dominating month out of the bullpen while RP Figueroa, RP Medina, and RP Mosqueda each posted ERAs below 3.00.
Next, the Expos continue their push for a third straight playoff berth into the dog days of August...