[ayaghmour2]

June 27th, 2025: Today was a beautiful day off, before a two game series with the White Sox and another off day. We'll see Blake Bivens (4-6, 4.60 ERA) and Jhon Peluffo (5-5, 4.90 ERA).

Jume 28th, 2025: The Giants will be without rookie reliever Pat Riley for the rest of the season with a torn ulnar collateral ligament. The former 8th Round pick is a 3.5/5* so San Gran hopes he can make a speedy recovery.

Tampa Bay sent LF Nick Decker to the Twins for RHP Dallas Woolfolk. I like this deal for the Twins, but it's a pretty even trade.

Former White Sox's #1 overall pick Jake Florence (4-6, 5.09 ERA, 1.60 WHIP) took on Blake Bivens (4-6, 4.60 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) to open the quick two game series. Bivens beat us and Florence to the Sox. Florence was much better, and we beat the hosts 9-1.

Florence almost went the distance, 8.2 innings with 3 hits, a run, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts. The run came with two outs in the 9th. Alpha Quivers got the final out with a strikeout, but he allowed 2 hits.

Seth Beer was 3-for-4 and a triple away from the cycle, with 3 runs and 3 RBI's. Lazaro Armenteros was 1-for-4 with a walk, steal, run scored, and RBI. Shoehi Ohtani was 2-for-4 with a walk, double, and 2 runs scored. Thomas Dillard was 3-for-4 with a sac fly, double, and 2 RBI's. Mickey Moniak was 1-for-4 with a pair of walks. Gunnar Hoglund played DH and went 1-for-4 with an RBI and walk.

Florence didn't have the best outing of the night, that belongs to Phillies 22-year-old rookie Jim Gilbert, who tossed a perfect game in a 1-0 win over the Rockies. The former 23rd Rounder from 2021 is currently a 2.5/4, who's had a crazy journey. After Texas selected him, they released him. He caught oun with Philly, and spent 1 day with them before being released and joining the Rays. He lasted 4 gdays with them, before not playing the rest of 2021. He then signed with Baltimore in April of 2022 before being released on the final da. On June 18th he signed with Texas, and then released on the 18th. He signed with St. Louis on the 27th, and stuck around until April 6th, 2024 when the Phillies claimed him off waivers. And now he has a perfect game, the 24th in MLB history, 1st since I started this game in 2018.

June 29th, 2025: We looked to finish the quick sweep with Mike Soroka (5-6, 3.01 ERA, 1.22 WHIP) taking on Jhon Peluffo (5-5, 4.90 ERA, 1.50 WHIP). We got 3 in the 1st, 4 inthe 2nd, 10 in the 7th, and 2 in the 8th to take the finale 19-4.

Soroka went 7 with 6 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts. Joseph Jarneski pitched the last 2 innings and struck out three.

Seth Beer was 1-for-5 with a walk, 2 runs scored, a three run homer, and 4 RBI's. Vladimmir Guerrero Jr. was 3-for-5 with a walk, 4 runs scored, 2 RBI's, and a homer. Deshawn Hardamon was 3-for-6 with a run and 2 RBI's. Thomas Dillard was 2-for-2 with 4 walks, a homer, 3 runs, and 3 RBI's. Lazaro Armenteros was 2-for-6 with a run, 5 RBI's, and a homer. All 9 hitters that played got a hit and scored a run while only Isaac Nunez didn't record an RBI.

My former outfielder Brandon Marsh acutally had to pitch, tossing 1.2 innings with 2 hits, 2 runs, and 2 walks.

Tomorrow was another off day that we'd use to head home.

June 30th, 2025: We dropped down 1 spot to 4th in the Power Rankings, behind Atlanta, Seattle, and the Cubs.

We'll host Philadelphia to start July, and we'll see Josh Wold (4-1, 3.83 ERA), Mashiaro Tanaka (2-5, 5.76 ERA), and Mr. Perfection himself Jim Gilbert (4-5, 3.18 ERA). Let's hope he's a little less perfect for this start...

July 1st, 2025: We started July with Steve Paustian (2-3, 4.00 ERA, 1.48 WHIP) facing Josh Wolf (4-1, 3.83 ERA, 1.46 WHIP) and the Phillies in front of another sold out Marlins Park, which I think we're in the third straight year of sell outs. We got 5 in the eigth to extend out lead t o a 9-2 win.

Paustian went 7.2 innings with 6 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts. Chasen Shreve finished the 8th on two pitches and got a hold before we broke free.

Thomas Dillard was perfect again, 3-for-3 with a double, walk, and run scored. Shoehi Ohtani was 1-for-3 with 2 runs, 2 RBI's, a homer, and walk. Jr. was 1-for-3 with a walk, 2 runs scored, and a solo shot. Seth Beer was 1-for-4 with 3 RBI's and a double. Deshawn Hardamon was 1-for-4 with a double and RBI. Isaac Nunez was 1-for-3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Now with Seattle, Rafael Devers hit his 300th career homer. The 28-year-old has 30 this year in his first season with Seattle, and in 1,239 career games he's hit .312/.356/.642 with 893 RBI's. The 7-Time All Star and four time Silver Slugger has been worth a total of 46 wins above replacement, with 6 or higher from 2020-2024 (on pace for 7.8).

July 2nd, 2025: The International Pool was published and it isn't the strongest by any means.

Houston lost recently acquired SP Braxton Garrett for the year with bone chips in his elbow. In just 3 starts with the 'Stros, he's 0-2 with a 5.23 ERA.

Minnesota sent LF Luis Valquez to the Brewers for RHP Hugo Casillia and SS Kleyber Rodriguez. Valquez has become expendable after acquiring Decker. I really like this deal for the Twins.

The Cubs sent C Steven Williams and LHP Wilson Gomez to the Rockies for RHP German Marquez. It's a solid deal for both teams, but I do really like the Rockies return.

We looked to keep rolling with Walker Buehler (4-1, 1.88 ERA, 0.91 WHIP) facing Mashiaro Tanka (2-5, 5.76 ERA, 1.28 WHIP). Man am I glad no one gave me what I wanted for Buehler! He turned in another good start, and we won 3-2 to take the series a game early.

Buehler went 6, allowing 6 hits, 2 runs, a walk, and 8 strikeouts. Greg Walston, Ramon Perez, and Chasen Shreve got holds, while Alpha Quivers earned the save. Those four combined for 3 innings with 2 hits, 2 walks, and 7 srikeouts. Quivers struck out the side in the 9th.

Deshawn Hardamon was a perfect 3-for-3 with a solo shot and two runs scored. Vladdy was 1-for-4 with a solo homer. Lazaro Armenteros was 1-for-3 with an RBI double. Shoehi Ohtani was 1-for-4 with a steal.

Joe Gray Jr. was 5-for-5 as the Tigers beat the White Sox 8-6. The defensive genius is hitting just .228 and has a career .226 average in 309 games. He's won a Gold Glove the past two seasons, and is likely to notch his third in third career season this year. He was so good in 2023, his ZR was +25.6 with 15 assists, 2 double plays, and a 1.000 fielding percentage, so even old schoolers could respect how elite he was as a rookie.

Another slugger hit 300, as Miguel Sano got his 300th in a 10-8 Cardinals win over the Astros. "Bocaton" is a career .245/.339/.485 hitter in 1,271 games with 786 RBI's.

July 3rd, 2025: Jorge Moya has been activated from the DL, and I optioned Gunnar Hoglund to AAA. He's hit a lot better then he's pitched, and is also probably overmatched currently.

July 3rd, 2025: I extended all my personnel that would re-sign. I like keeping stable personnel and developing in house options. For example, I have a "Legendary" Manager in AAA waiting to be promoted.

All Star Update: Dillard remains 1st for backstops. Moniak is still 2nd for center. Ohtani still paces all right fielders. Lastly, Quivers remains 4th for relief pitchers.

We looked to finish the sweep with the red hot Jake Florence (5-6, 4.65 ERA, 1.49 WHIP) facing the recently perfect Jim Gilbert (4-5, 3.18 ERA, 1.05 WHIP). We hit him hard, and finished the sweep with a 10-5 win, after breaking away for 5 in the 7th after we allowed them to tie it with 3 in the 7th.

Lazaro Armenteros is heading to the DL with back tightness for hopefully just the minimum. He doubled to lead off the game, but was injured when sliding into second.

Florence went 5.1 innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 runs, a walk, and he struck out 7. Walston got a hold, 1.1 innings with a hit, run, and 2 strikeouts. Patrick Raby blew the save, 2 runs off 2 hits and 2 walks without getting an out. Quivers got the last out and earned the win before Dinelson Lamet came out of the pen and tossed 2 innings with a hit and 3 strikeouts. I'll have to investigate why he moved to the pen later.

Jr. was 2-for-4 with a three run homer. Thomas Dillard was 1-for-2 with 2 walks and a three run homer. Mickey Moniak was 3-for-4 with a double, steal, run scored, and three RBI's. Deshawn Hardamon was 2-for-5 with a run scored.

I recalled Cole Roederer from AAA to replace Armenteros. He's hitting .295/.366/.401 in AAA with 2 homers, 35 RBI's, and 14 steals. He'll be the new starting left fielder.

On the Lamet situation, Ohtani has replaced him in the rotation, and for now, I'm okay with that.

We've got a 5 game lead over the 2nd Wild Card team Arizona, and are just 3 back of Atlanta. Colorado comes to town for four, and we'll see A.J. Puk (2-3, 3.71 ERA), Juan Coira (6-5, 3.36 ERA), Enyel De Los Santos (3-7, 6.78 ERA), and Juan Toribio (4-5, 4.01 ERA).