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G-Force · 03-22-2018, 11:27 AM

Denver Pilots
2020 Midseason Report

Western League North
42-45, 3rd Place, 8 GB

Nobody would have blamed the Pilots if they had fallen out of the race by now. Season-ending injuries to closer Aroldis Chapman and starter Andy Messersmith plus injuries costing leaders Tim Raines, Steve Carlton and Cole Hamels time have all kept Denver grounded during the first half.

But Raines, Hamels and Carlton are back and performing, particularly Raines who is playing the best baseball of his career. While the defending champions are 8 games out, one has to think they have a run in them to at least make Portland nervous in the second half.

One player who finally hasn’t been injured is Ty Cobb who, after two terrific but injury-plagued seasons has fallen off in his first healthy campaign. However, after batting .232 for the first two months of the season, Cobb has a .365/.409/.516 slash line since June 1st. Raines’ return, Roberto Clemente’s usual steady performance and Cobb getting back on track make Denver’s lineup a threat to anyone. However, the bottom third - horrendous so far - need to step it up. It’s hard to believe manager Joe Maddon will continue to ride out the Francisco Lindor, Danny Espinosa, Kid Elberfeld trio much longer.

Hamels and Carlton are terrific, particularly Hamels, who leads the league in ERA and should once again contend for Outstanding Pitcher honors, an award for which he placed third in last year’s voting.

Rookie Billy Pierce has given Denver a three-headed monster that would be a bear to contend with in a postseason series should the Pilots right the ship.

Bill Henry earned an all-star selection, having filled in admirably for Chapman. And JJ Putz has recovered from a poor 2019 to make a solid setup duo with Jeff Reardon.

03-22-2018, 11:27 AM	#294
G-Force All Star Starter Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 1,264	Denver Pilots 2020 Midseason Report Western League North 42-45, 3rd Place, 8 GB Nobody would have blamed the Pilots if they had fallen out of the race by now. Season-ending injuries to closer Aroldis Chapman and starter Andy Messersmith plus injuries costing leaders Tim Raines, Steve Carlton and Cole Hamels time have all kept Denver grounded during the first half. But Raines, Hamels and Carlton are back and performing, particularly Raines who is playing the best baseball of his career. While the defending champions are 8 games out, one has to think they have a run in them to at least make Portland nervous in the second half. One player who finally hasn’t been injured is Ty Cobb who, after two terrific but injury-plagued seasons has fallen off in his first healthy campaign. However, after batting .232 for the first two months of the season, Cobb has a .365/.409/.516 slash line since June 1st. Raines’ return, Roberto Clemente’s usual steady performance and Cobb getting back on track make Denver’s lineup a threat to anyone. However, the bottom third - horrendous so far - need to step it up. It’s hard to believe manager Joe Maddon will continue to ride out the Francisco Lindor, Danny Espinosa, Kid Elberfeld trio much longer. Hamels and Carlton are terrific, particularly Hamels, who leads the league in ERA and should once again contend for Outstanding Pitcher honors, an award for which he placed third in last year’s voting. Rookie Billy Pierce has given Denver a three-headed monster that would be a bear to contend with in a postseason series should the Pilots right the ship. Bill Henry earned an all-star selection, having filled in admirably for Chapman. And JJ Putz has recovered from a poor 2019 to make a solid setup duo with Jeff Reardon. __________________ LEGENDS SPORTS UNIVERSE - WHERE LEGENDS PLAY...FOREVER YouTube and the Web Check out my Dynasty Threads The Alltime Hockey Association The Alltime Baseball League Austin James: Playing For His Life (a Vietnam-era baseball drama) The Pastime Boxing Association Last edited by G-Force; 03-23-2018 at 07:30 AM.