[ayaghmour2]

Another four wins for the Cougars this week, but it came after three heart breaking one run losses. Get them out of the way now! Right?!?! Still, we enter the last few games with a one game lead over the Wolves for first, anxiously await Opening Day. I hope this is a preview of the regular season, as the Wolves are also anxiously awaiting the start of the season, as we're both looking to take advantage of the front office change in Cincinnati. The Cannons reign has lasted three years, but between the three of us, they had less positive impact in player movements, as they didn't lose as many contributors. Add in that Bob Griffin was traded in the service and Adam Mullins is a net neutral with the retirement of fellow backstop Tom Bird. More of the returning players will join the rotation, but each comes with their own question marks. I've said plenty of the guys we're bringing back, and the Wolves welcome back plenty of useful players, from Allen Winner Joe Hancock and All-Star Tom Frederick, former Cougar 1st Rounder Hal Wood, Jim Morrison, and Hank Giordano.

The two start starter of the week was Donnie Jones, who is OSA's #1 ranked pitcher in the FABL. He flashed some of that in his appearances, tossing 8 innings with 6 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. No one has been hotter then Billy Riley, who set down fifteen consecutive Kings to pick up his first win of the spring. The 31-year-old has thrown fourteen scoreless innings this spring, allowing just nine hits and two walks with a pair of strikeouts. 1946 is a big year for Riley, as he's now ranked as our sixth best starter, almost pushing him completely out of the rotation. Duke Bybee is knocking on the door like a wrecking ball and it's only a matter of time before George Oddo starts. Mike Thorpe, Rusty Petrick, and Johnnie Jones are all more then capable starters, so if Riley struggles he could find himself out of rotation spot or potentially on the block. A good season would increase his value, as eventually someone from the rotation will need to be moved. Since he's been here the shortest, it's the obvious choice, and I can't break up the Jones Brothers or move Harry Parker.

Joe Brown is another who could be available, but he's an Illinois native who's pitched with us since he was 23. His start wasn't as great, allowing 5 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Parker didn't fair really well, allowing 7 hits with 4 runs, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Peter the Heater set down six in four with four hits, two walks, and an earned run. Johnnie Jones looked much better this week, allowing just one hit with a strikeout and three walks in four innings. Rusty Watts bounced back too, allowing just a pair of hits in four scoreless frames. Eddie Howard threw four solid innings, just a hit, walk, strikeout, and run charged to him. He also went 2-for-3 at the plate and is hitting .500 with a double and RBI. The now healthy Duke Bybee made two appearances, and while they were both scoreless, his two innings saw two hits and walks. George Oddo faired worse, allowing 4 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), and 2 walks with 3 strikeouts. With just four games left, a lot of guys have thrown their last innings, but I'll keep every arm in camp just in case.

Same goes for the bats, which cooled down plenty this week. Carlos Montes came back to earth, just 4-for-17. He did hit his fourth homer, and added a double, 3 walks, 4 runs, and 5 RBIs. Fellow center fielder Don Lee had a worse week, 2-for-14 with a walk, steal, run, and RBI. Clark Car went just 2-for-16 with a double and RBI. We did get production from new vet Jim Beard, who was 5-for-12 with a double, walk, run, and 2 RBIs. Skipper went 4-for-12 with a double, run, and 3 RBIs. Staying healthy was all that mattered this week.