[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 4-4
Seasonal Record: 18-15 (3rd, 2 GB)
Stars of the Week
Billy Riley : 2 Wins, 17.0 IP, 4 BB, 8 K, 2.65 ERA
Harry Mead : 25 AB, 8 H, 0 HR, 3 RBI, .320 AVG, .770 OPS
Skipper Schneider : 27 AB, 7 H, 0 HR, 2 RBI, .259 AVG, .819 OPS

Schedule
5-14: Win vs Sailors (3-6)
5-15: Win vs Sailors (1-6)
5-16: Loss vs Sailors (5-3): 12 innings
5-17: Win vs Sailors (3-4): 10 innings
5-18: Loss vs Cannons (0-6)
5-19: Win vs Cannons (2-7)
5-20: Loss vs Cannons (9-4)
5-20: Loss vs Cannons (1-0)

Recap
Our time in first place was short lived, as a 4-4 week dropped us back to our usual position, third. The week did go as I expected, as we did well against the Sailors before struggling against the Cannons. We took three of four from Philly, but the Cannons pulled the reverse on us. Most of our runs came in the single win, as we got shutout by both Dan Adams and Rufus Barrell. Can't win if you can't score, and while we allow the fewest runs in the league, only the 13-20 Foresters have scored less. To make up for some of our offensive struggles, Don Lee and Ken Mayhugh will now start pretty much every day, as Steve Jones has somehow managed a -5 WRC+ and Lee's 220 is far too high to keep on the bench, regardless of how better Yates' defense is. Someone needs to support Cliff Moss, and Lee may be the guy to do it. Mayhugh hasn't hit too well himself, with a .260/.304/.342 (82 OPS+) line, so in games where run prevention is crucial, I might have to bite the bullet and use a more talented defender to soak up groundballs.

Cliff Moss had his first poor week, going just 6-for-28 with a double, homer, walk, 4 runs, and 6 RBIs. Lee made up for the drop in production, as the talented youngster went 6-for-16 with a triple, 2 steals, 3 walks, and 5 runs. Lee has even invaded the top 20 batters list and ranks as the #1 center fielder in the entire FABL. With a bit more range he could be a star, but it's hard to not love the bat. Skipper had a good week with the bat, going 7-for-27 with with 3 doubles, a triple, steals, 2 RBIs, 4 runs, and 5 walks. Same for Harry Mead, who was 8-for-25 with a walk, triple, 2 runs, and 3 RBIs. Mike Taylor did well in limited time too, 4-for-10 with an RBI and a pair of walks. There was a lot of bad, however, with the trio of Steve Jones, Ken Mayhugh, and Tip Harrison combining to go 7-for-56, with all hits singles. I'm not too sure about what I'm going to do with the second and third base positions, as George Sutterfield hasn't been great in AAA, and the trade market is very slim. A Hank Barnett sized hole is almost impossible to fill, especially when you can't stash Billy Hunter there either...

Rusty Petrick had a crazy unlucky week, as we could just not support him with runs. He lost both his starts, starting with our 12 inning loss against the Sailors. After nine it was tied at three, but Petrick kept on pitching. He ended up throwing all 12, allowing 8 hits, 5 runs, and 2 walks with 5 strikeouts. He was then unluckily paired up with the elite Rufus Barrell, as the single run he allowed still handed him the loss. He went 8, allowing 5 hits and 2 walks with 5 strikeouts. Petrick is now 2-3 with 2 saves, a 1.26 ERA (298 ERA+), 1.04 WHIP, 20 walks, and 29 strikeouts. He still leads all qualified pitchers in ERA, and his strikeouts are fourth, one behind Billy Riley for the team lead. Speaking of Riley, he won both his starts, improving his CA best win total to 6. He was the only Cougar to beat the Cannons, picking up a complete game win with 4 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks, and 6 strikeouts. He outdueled Doc Newell as well, tossing 8 solid frames with 8 hits, 3 runs, a walk, and 2 strikeouts. At one point Riley will stop being as dominant as he is, but for now I'll enjoy the 2.48 ERA (151 ERA+), 0.98 WHIP, and 30 strikeouts.

Art White also made two starts, but they couldn't have been any further apart. He was brilliant against the Sailors, allowing 7 hits, a run, and 2 walks with 2 strikeouts in a complete game win. Things fell apart in Cincinnati, as he couldn't even get out of the second. He recorded just five outs while allowing 9 hits and 7 runs with a walk and a strikeout. Dick Lyons pitched admirably mopping up for Art, allowing 5 hits, 2 runs, and a walk with a strikeout in 6.1 innings pitched. Harry Parker also was hit hard by the Cannons, allowing 9 hits, 5 runs, and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts. Parker has scuffled a bit this season, dropping to 3-4 with a just above average 3.57 ERA (105 ERA+) and just below average 3.94 FIP (102 FIP-). We relied on Ken Matson for a start this week, and while he did walk 6, he pitched well enough for us to win. He got a no decision in our 10 inning win over Philly, going 7.2 innings with 8 hits, 3 runs, and a strikeout. Ben Curtin made three scoreless appearances, picking up a save with 2 hits, a walk, and a strikeout in 3.1 scoreless innings. Angel Lopez made a pair of appearances, charged with 2 hits, 4 walks, and a run with 2 strikeouts in 3 innings. Merritt Thomas got the win in extras, allowing a hit and walk in a scoreless tenth. The staff continues to keep runs off the board, but until we can score, we're going to be stuck in a holding pattern.

Looking Ahead
Two off days to start the week, and these are very important as we're starting a very tough road trip. It starts with four in Toronto with the first place Wolves, who are 18-11 and a game and a half over our next opponent, the Cincinnati Cannons. The three of us are the class of the CA, and not only are we the only teams above .500, but we each have 18 wins. The Wolves have played the fewest games in the FABL, allowing a large amount of their starts to go to the elite George Garrison. He's 4-2 in his 7 starts with a beautiful 2.38 ERA (164 ERA+) and 2.43 FIP (62 FIP-) to go with a 1.09 WHIP, 10 walks, and 25 strikeouts. The rest of the rotation can't match him, but both Chick Wirtz (2-1, 3.47, 15) and Jim Laurita (2-3, 3.54, 14) give them quality starts. With a four game set, we'll also get Bob Walls (2-0, 5.05, 9) who's 3.39 FIP (86 FIP-) is far better then the ERA implies. Rookie stopper Cookie Myers (3-0, 2, 2.79, 7) has been a pleasant surprise, and the Wolves staff is tough to pile runs on. Their offense has been solid this season too, as they rank 3rd in both runs scored and allowed. Walt Pack's bat has come to life, slashing a robust .333/.379/.590 (160 OPS+) with 6 doubles, 7 homers, and 25 RBIs. Charlie Artuso is hitting a comparable .359/.414/.531 (154 OPS+) with 8 doubles, 4 homers, and 15 RBIs while Wayne Henderson (.316, 15, 1) and Juan Pomales (.311, 10, 2; 2-0, 1, 0.00, 2) have been productive at the plate. I'm very worried about this series, and week as a whole, as the Wolves are very good, and I'm not sure we can match them in Toronto.

The week ends with a double header in Cincinnati, for the first half of a four game series. They leaped over us after taking three of four in Chicago, so it would be hard to expect a better result here. The Cannons rank second in both runs scored and runs allowed, with no obvious weakness. You know you're set when Tom Bird (.275, 1, 14) ranks last in batting average, and it comes with a 135 WRC+. Denny Andrews is slashing an absurd .310/.438/.560 (174 OPS+) with 11 doubles, 6 homers, 19 RBIs, and 26 walks. Almost 38-year-old Jack Cleaves (.389, 1, 12) has somehow produced a 218 WRC+ and 22-to-6 walk-to-strikeout ratio and Jim Hensley's (.276, 16) 101 WRC+ is the lowest in the lineup. Then when you also have to score on Rufus Barrell (2-0, 0.98, 13), Sam Sheppard (3-0, 2.82, 10), and Dan Adams (3-1, 1, 2.20, 10), and it's only a matter of time before Butch Smith (0-6, 5.01, 23) pitches like an Allen Award winner. I'm definitely worried about this double header, and when we have the inevitable rough week, we may be pushed too far down to recover.

Minor League Report
RHP George Oddo (AAA Milwaukee Blues): If you are a prospect and are recently given a line in the fine news print of This Week in Figment Baseball, you must be doing something right. And let me tell, you George Oddo is doing plenty of things right. Oddo was brilliant against the Indianapolis Hoosiers this week, keeping the Cannons AAA team in check twice this week. He was brilliant in Milwaukee, tossing a 4-hit shutout with a walk and 3 strikeouts. He was impressive in a no decision later this week, going 7.1 innings with a hit, run, 5 walks, and 4 strikeouts. Oddo has been brilliant in six starts this season, allowing two or fewer in each outing. He's a perfect 4-0 with a 1.42 ERA (279 ERA+), 0.83 WHIP, 15 walks, and 26 strikeouts. This was enough to prove to the Cougars management he's ready for the big leagues, as the revolving fifth spot of Ken Matson, Angel Lopez, and Dick Lyons has left plenty to be desired. Since Lopez has a pair of options to Matson's one, he'll be the odd one out, as Oddo will claim his spot. A potential front of the rotation starter, Oddo will currently hold the 5th spot in the Cougar rotation, and is set to debut in Cincinnati. A talented three pitch pitcher, Oddo has explosive stuff despite his fastball sitting in the 89-91 range. His change is off the charts, and locates it effortlessly, and his curve cuts through the zone like a warm knife through butter. Expect huge strikeout numbers and very few homers, as all of his pitches have tremendous movement. The Cougars are flush with talented pitchers, but Oddo may end up standing above most, as Tom Weinstock ranks him fourth behind just the FABL's #1 and 2 ranked Pete Papenfus and Donnie Jones, and current #4 prospect Duke Bybee. He's not there yet, but with his upside and minor league success, it's hard to believe he could do any worse then Matson (1-2, 5.06, 8), Lyons (0-1, 7.15, 2), or Lopez (0-1, 6.55, 3).

CF Don Jeppsen (B San Jose Cougars): As a 19-year-old in Class B Don Jeppsen had some struggles, but the former 9th Round is off to an excellent start to the season. The center fielder is slashing .393/.460/.607 (202 OPS+) with 3 doubles, 3 homers, 4 steals, and 11 RBIs. This is a marked improvement from last season, where he hit just .253/.287/.343 (81 OPS+) in 115 games. It is more then just the experience, as this season Jeppsen has got to play at his primary position. While I do think he's best suited for a corner, Jeppsen started just 13 games in Center last season, trailing his tally at first (20) and in right (74). He's an athletic kid with good speed, so he may develop the range for center, but more of his value comes from his bat. He's shown a good knack for barreling the ball, as he has a quick swing that allows him to hit to all fields. He's gotten more chances with plenty of prospects overseas, but his young age should work in his favor. Jeppsen doesn't have the highest ceiling as a big league player, but he has plenty of room to grow and can function as a passable bench bat.