And after a week of dealing with food poisoning, we’re back…
Complete Challenger League Coverage Weeks 3 and 4
Vice fall off the pace
After an impressive 8-0 start to the season, the Vice have only managed a 3-5 clip over their next 8 games. Part of the cool down can be attributed to LF Nessun Raeburn being placed on the DL after fracturing his foot. The Leonis native had been hitting .330 with 6 RBI before going on the DL. The Vice’s next 8 games don’t let things get any easier, as they take on the Tawa Archers and Promethea Pirates. Both teams are in the top half of the table.
Dust Valley remain scorching
The Dust Valley Riders jump to the top spot in the league, thanks to their continued hot streak. 7-1 after their first 8 contests, the Riders went 6-2 over the past two weeks, passing the Vice a top the table. John Covey leads the club from the bump with a 1.57 ERA and a 3-1 record in four starts.
Panthers flying up the table
Perhaps the biggest story this week is the Pailyn Panthers. In their last 10 games, the Panthers have dropped just one, and sit firmly in second place and in a promotion spot. Week three saw them post an impressive sweep of the Argentum Silverstars, with three shutouts in four games. Panther pitching has a slight tendency to give up the longball, but if it stays in the park their defense will track it down. The Panthers have the fewest hits allowed, and the lowest BABIP in the league. Unfortunately they are closer to the middle of the table in home runs allowed.
Brewers drowning
Already 7 games out of a playoff spot, the Boskirk Brewers have yet to figure out a winning formula this season. The Brewers are holding their own offensively, 3rd in the league in hits and 4th in batting average, but their pitching staff has an ERA north of 5, easily the highest in the league. The ERA of just their starters is north of 6. They’ve also allowed almost 100 runs in 16 games. Struggling the most is Ed Chapman. He’s 0-4 with an ERA of 14.14 in his four starts. He’s also allowed 16 free passes.
Valentin continues to crush
Keeping his pace from the first to weeks, Raul Valentin continues to be the most frequent baserunner in the league. The Jonoel Scorpions catcher is still hitting above .400 with an OBP of over .500. No one can keep him off the basepads. His offensive efforts haven’t been enough to help his team, however, as the Scorpions still sit near the bottom of the league table.
Key matchup results
Our week 3 featured matchup was the Galaxy and the Archers, as they are two of the hottest hitting teams in the League. The Galaxy managed to take 3 of 4 from the Archers, dropping the Sunday contest in Tawa. The Galaxy continued their well hitting ways, scoring at least 5 runs in all four games. The Archers managed to bounce back nicely, taking 3 of 4 from the Krill in week 4.
Next week’s key matchups
Easy pick this week: the top two teams will square off with first place on the line. The Panthers look to stay red hot, while the Riders try to fend them off and hold on to their spot atop the league table.
Full CCL Standings through week 4 of 19
