[ayaghmour2]

Editor's Note: The sim accidentally did a few extra days, so this covers nine days instead of the usual seven

Weekly Record: 3-6
Seasonal Record: 9-12 (8th, 5.5 GB)
Stars of the Week
Henry Watson : 32 AB, 12 H, 0 HR, 4 RBI, .375 AVG, .849 OPS
Jack Gibson : 35 AB, 10 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI, .286 AVG, .820 OPS
Jerry McMillan : 33 AB, 11 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .333 AVG, .739 OPS

Schedule
4-22: Win at Imperials (10-5)
4-23: Loss at Imperials (0-1)
4-24: Win vs Stars (1-2)
4-25: Win vs Stars (1-4)
4-26: Loss vs Saints (6-4)
4-27: Loss vs Saints (4-3)
4-28: Loss vs Saints (6-3)
4-29: Loss at Cannons (3-6)
4-30: Loss at Cannons (3-4)

Recap
Yeah....

The damage was real bad...

This might be a quick one...

I proved time and time again that my changes and decisions for the team actually matter, but if there was any doubt, this cements it. We were a mess those two extra games, with guys playing who shouldn't and a little bad luck, and now the guys are all gassed and not ready for this week. Even worse, my roster plans were foiled, as I can't DFA Buddy Byrd because his time would run out during the week, and then he'd just be cut without being put back on the roster. That means to make rook for Rex Pilcher, I had to option Jim Barton, who will at least get to play everyday in Milwaukee.

On the bright side, the pitching had it's moments, with back-to-back-to-back one run games. Sure, we lost one, as someone shut us out on Tuesday (no box score...), but that was huge. Even the rest of the week, no one got more then six, and of the nine games just two saw more then four. But regardless, a 9-12 month is just awful, and we're only better then the two expansion teams so far.

This should be a pennant contender!

Way too early to call it quits on 1963, especially with a +16 run differential! We should be way better then we've played, but we just collapsed against the Saints and our current five game losing streak is tied for the longest active losing streak. Tied with a 1-18 team...

Despite all this, plenty of guys have been playing great. He didn't get out of the fifth, a pair of homers and his first three walks caused plenty of trouble, but Doc Griffin got to 83 pitches and is 2-0 with a 1.77 (218 ERA+), 0.74 WHIP, and an 11-to-3 K/BB ratio. Jack Gibson added two more homers, tied with Hank Williams for most in the CA, as he's hit .321/.329/.655 (167 OPS+) with 11 extra base hits, 15 RBIs, and 15 runs. 1 walk to 14 strikeouts is concerning, but he doesn't usually walk much anyways. Henry Watson is third in the batting race, hitting .380/.417/.519 (159 OPS+) with 5 doubles, 2 homers, and 13 RBIs, and despite not getting Rookie of the Month (the CA is stacked with newcomers), Dode Caudill has hit .282/.341/.538 (141 OPS+) with 4 doubles, 2 triples, 4 homers, 7 walks, 8 RBIs, 13 runs, and his first FABL steal. And finally, Ken Stone has been getting it done, as despite the high walk totals (15, 11.4%), something very unusual for him, as OSA thinks his command is his best skill. Hasn't caused him trouble either, as the 23-year-old is 2-1 with a 2.97 ERA (130 ERA+) in 30.1 innings.

Looking Ahead
As we do the opposite of catch up (slow down?) the coming "week" sees just five games. It starts with two in Toronto, as we'll face one of the other
four nine win teams. They all have fewer losses, 11 for the Wolves and 10 for the Cannons and Saints, and if we can take both games here we'll at least pass the Wolves. Lucky for us, they can't score or prevent runs, as adding our two ranks together (4 + 4) equals the average (7, 9) of their two categories. The offense part makes sense, but this should be a really good staff. Don't let the ERA fool you, Arnie Smith (0-1, 6.56, 17) is a top arm, and I expect having to deal with him in the finale. George Hoxworth (2-3, 6.85, 14) was elite, though the major injury could have put a damper on that, and at least Phil Colantuono (3-0, 1.67, 14) is pitching like "The King" should. Can't forget about 22-year-old Bill Medley (1-2, 3.71, 16) either, as he was awesome last season and sports a 1.01 WHIP in 26.2 innings. Offensively, only two guys have done anything, as star Tom Reed (.121, 2, 6) had multiple 7-hit weeks last season, and has just 7 hits in his first 18 games. 12th ranked prospect Ed Savage (.323, 2, 9) is showing his emergence was no fluke, but the same can't be said about Chick Reed (.361, 4, 9, 1). I don't think he suddenly learned to be an All-Star caliber hitter at 27, but he's been a necessary bright spot in a rough campaign.

Our weekend is going to be a challenge, as we're stuck facing the Kings in Kansas City for three. Just one win would be nice, but with how we look right now that might be a tough task. KC may have struggled with the Foresters last week, and a lot of that is due to the bats. Sure, Hank Williams (.333, 8, 16), and Pat Davis (.305, 4, 17, 2) is a guy I really wish was in Chicago, but aside from those two and the always reliable Ken Newman (.309, 2, 8) the King lineup is vastly underperforming. The pitching has held, most surprisingly Jack Halbur (2-0, 2.30, 22), and part of the reason Dode didn't win Rookie of the Month is because Johnnie Higgins (3-0, 1.61, 19) has been dominant. He took the fifth spot, pushing former Cougar Henry Henderson (2-0, 1, 0.00, 4) to the pen, though it seems like the right call so far. Full of talent, they're still my favorite for the Conti this season, so when we struggle here it won't be much of a surprise.