[Biggp07]

Our July performances have been mixed, but in the last 10 games, we’ve achieved a .700 winning percentage with a 7-3 record. This positive momentum could carry us into August and improve our chances for a wildcard spot. It also brings us closer to our owner’s goal of reaching .500 for the season. That would be a significant step forward, especially since I haven’t made much progress on other objectives.



We still have offensive weaknesses in certain areas. Our road games lack energy, and in extra-inning matches, we struggle to secure wins. We are one game behind our Pythagorean projection, but our recent winning streak is helping to narrow the RDiff runs gap. Our on-base percentage and walks remain unchanged, ranking 15th in both. Despite efforts to improve this area, I have yet to see any positive results.
Defensively, we've slipped a bit since the start of the season, finding it harder to strike out many batters and allowing opponents a batting average of .262, which has dropped us to 15th place. This decline reflects the pitcher injuries and slow starts we’ve faced throughout the year.
There are probably quite a few folks out there who might say that letting Lugo go in exchange for two mediocre players wasn't really the best decision. I guess we'll soon find out how that impacts us as we finish out the season and try to work through the offseason to strengthen Ragans, Singer, and Wright for rotation starts next spring.



Aside from the Twins likely securing the division lead, currently on a 5-game winning streak, it’s a very competitive race in the AL Central for a wild-card spot. We have managed to get ourselves within 5 games of a wildcard, although seven teams are ahead of us vying for that spot. Currently, the Blue Jays hold the coveted position after our recent series sweep of the White Sox caused them to fall half a game behind.



Our first series in August is an away game against Detroit, with whom we are currently tied at 3-3 for the season and having won only one game against them on the road so far. Then we have a three-game series against the Red Sox, whom we are also chasing for a wild-card spot. It’s hard to believe I’m actually talking about a wild card, and perhaps I’m influenced a bit by our recent winning streak, but pulling off a run for a wild card spot from our current position in the standings would be a remarkable achievement for us, and also for me in my first year as GM and manager.



So, our August starts with a bang and will directly affect our wildcard hopes. We will face several teams we've already played this year, such as the Twins, Guardians, Angels, and Astros.
I would say our season so far has been the same old, as I haven’t made any significant impact yet this year to improve us at the moment. Whether we will aim for a wildcard spot remains uncertain, and the post-season will clearly reveal all our flaws. This is the time of the season when all we’ve worked for impacts us the most and either we show our grit or drop the baton.

Let’s get on with the rest of the season and see where we are at roster expansion.