Los Angeles Leopards (0-0, .000) @ Phoenix Coyotes (0-0, .000)
This season, given that we’ve gone back to our original playoff format, Phoenix, and their predicted 82-80 finish, might have enough in the tank to get this bucket over the line and earn a ticket to the dance. They didn’t do much of note during the offseason –
2B Scott Kaszuba (33yo, 47/47) was brought in on a 3yr, $14.2mm deal and
SP Ricky Halbur (34yo, 56/56) signed a 2yr, $16mm deal – choosing instead to stay the course, promote from within, and, really, just hope for the best. Their staff looks solid, the starters sturdy enough to hold their own without really instilling fear in any of their opposition, while the offense leaves a lot to be desired on paper. And, if they don’t make a postseason appearance this season, given our harkening back to a more forgiving format, blame could be placed squarely on their lineup’s doorstep. Because
RF Harlem Peterson (32yo, 71/71), batting 3rd, without anything resembling protection, is a recipe for mediocrity.
Here are the projected pitching matchups, our pitchers listed first:
LHP L. Álvarez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs LHP R. Luna (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
LHP R. McGuire (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs RHP R. Halbur (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
LHP O. Arce (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs RHP W. Ricker (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
The top 5 players on their team are:
1. LF Harlem Peterson (Age: 32, Overall : 71, Potential: 71)
2. SP Ricky Halbur (34, 56, 56)
3. CL Chasley Anderson (24, 52, 54)
4. RP Nuno Vera (22, 51, 57)
5. RP Steve Allen (38, 51, 51)
#1: Win, 7-1… Hulk Smash mode activated… 2 tanks, 3 RBI for
Ethan, another for
Oh Hong, a 6.1-inning, 6 K win for
Larimel, and
Luca scores twice in his debut.
#2: Win, 8-3 (10)… A 5-run top of the 10th would get things sorted…
Otto finished 2-for-3 with 2 RBI and 2 scores, four burgled bags for the club (
Otto 2x,
Ethan,
Brincat).
#3: Win, 6-4…
Sweep! 3-run TANK from
Oh Hong seals the deal,
T-Rex secured his first
hold,
Max Egner picked up his 1st save in a Leopards kit.
A great start… only ourselves and Denver still on pace to win 162 games. 21 runs, 5 dingers, and only 3 runs given up by our starters so far. We’ll take it and only request that you keep it coming…
Elsewhere: Charlotte’s
SP Marco Ortega (30yo, 62/62) opened the season with a 7.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 12 K masterpiece, securing a tight, taut 1-0 win in NYC on opening day… The Imperials won that series, opening their season at 2-1 against the Sluggers and are hoping to carry that dominance forward the rest of the way to right what many of their most ardent fans believe was a most heinous wrong when they fell to Vancouver during the 1st round of last years playoffs.
Record: 3-0, 1.000, 1st NL West
Up Next: We head to San Diego to put some bad ones on the Skipjacks before our home opener against the Austin Grackles on Tuesday of next week.