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liberty-ca · 12-23-2025, 07:43 PM

The Prayers Pulpit: A Postseason Fan Mailbag
By Gemmie Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle and Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN)

The bunting is draped over the railings at Sacramento Stadium, the smell of roasted peanuts is heavier in the air, and the city is buzzing like a downed power line. 115 wins. It’s a number that feels like a myth, but as we head into Game 1 against the Seattle Lucifers, the fans are feeling a mix of divine inspiration and playoff nerves.

We opened up the mailbag this week to see what’s on your minds as we embark on the most important October in Sacramento history. Let’s dive in. As always, letters have been edited for clarity, length, and emotional temperature.

★ ★ ★

Q: Gemmie, be honest. How worried should we be about Jordan Rubalcava’s elbow? If our 22-win ace isn't at 100%, is this 115-win season destined for a first-round exit?

— Nervous in Natomas

Gemmie: It’s the $64,000 question, isn't it? Losing a guy who went 22-4 with a 2.27 ERA right before the dance is enough to make any manager lose sleep. The official word is "day-to-day," and seeing him pitch seven innings in the Tucson finale was encouraging, even if he left with discomfort. Losing him for even a week matters. But Sacramento has done two crucial things correctly:

1. They didn’t rush him.
2. They didn’t lie about the severity.

The organization listing him as day-to-day while planning October contingencies is exactly what you want to see.

But here’s the silver lining: Fernando Salazar (19-9) and Russ Gray (18-8) would be #1 aces on almost any other team in the league. We aren't a one-man show. If Rubalcava needs to be pushed back to Game 3 or 4 to ensure that elbow is stable, Jimmy Aces has the luxury of two workhorses to lead the charge. We aren't "destined" for an exit — we’re built to survive a hit like this.

★ ★ ★

Q: Everyone is talking about Edwin Musco’s 30 homers, but I’m looking at Bret Perez. He looked like a man possessed against the Priests. Is he our X-factor?

— Base-Path Benny

Gemmie: You hit the nail on the head, Benny. While Musco provides the thunder, Bret Perez is the lightning. Going 9-for-14 against Brooklyn was a statement. When Perez is on base — and he’s been there a lot lately — it changes how pitchers have to approach the entire heart of our order. With 40 stolen bases, he creates chaos. If he keeps hitting near .300 and terrorizing catchers, the Lucifers’ pitchers are going to be too distracted to worry about Musco and Velasquez. He is absolutely the engine of this offense right now.

★ ★ ★

Q: Seattle’s bats are no joke. Do the Lucifers actually have a tactical advantage because they’ve been playing "must-win" games for a month while we’ve been coasting with a 20-game lead?

— Worried about the "Coasting" Curse

Gemmie: This is a classic baseball debate. "Rest vs. Rust." It’s true, Sacramento hasn't played a game that mattered for the standings since August. However, did you see that 12-inning walk-off against the Priests? That didn't look like a team that was "coasting." Jimmy Aces has kept the intensity high, and the late-season injuries to Murguia and Rubalcava actually forced the team to stay sharp and play focused baseball. Seattle is scrappy, but 115 wins doesn't happen by accident. I’ll take the rested, superior roster over the "hot" team every time.

★ ★ ★

Q: “What actually scares you about this team?”

— Anonymous (handwritten, no return address)

Chad:Two things:

1. Extra-inning volatility — Sacramento is just 7–8 in extra-inning games. That doesn’t matter much now, but October turns coin flips into verdicts.
2. Defensive fatigue — errors are creeping in (three in Sunday’s 12-inning win vs Brooklyn), especially from players logging 140+ games.

Neither is fatal. Both are reminders that dominance still requires precision. The good news? The Prayers are already playing playoff baseball — close games, short leashes, situational thinking. They’re not perfect. They’re prepared.

★ ★ ★

Q: Who is the one "unsung hero" we should watch in the Division Series?

— Old School Fan

Gemmie: Keep your eyes on Roberto Cardenas. He’s the ultimate professional. Whether he’s pinch-hitting for Hicks or filling in for an ailing Murguia in left field, the man just produces. He hit that massive 2-run shot against Brooklyn to spark a comeback, and he’s hitting over .230 with pop. In a short series, you always need that one guy off the bench to provide a "Kirk Gibson" moment. Cardenas is my pick to be that guy.

★ ★ ★

Q: Gemmie, give us a prediction. Prayers in how many?

— “Seat 23, Row L”

Gemmie: The Lucifers will steal one in Seattle because that crowd is hostile, but the Prayers are too deep, too disciplined, and frankly, too historic to falter now.

The Verdict: Prayers in 4. We’ll celebrate the ALDS clinch on the road and bring the party back home for the League Championship.

★ ★ ★

FINAL THOUGHT

Chad: This season has stopped being about validation. At 115–47, with the division clinched and the roster managing itself like a veteran group, the question isn’t whether Sacramento belongs. It’s whether anyone can force them out of their rhythm.

Judging by the mail, the city already knows the answer — it’s just waiting to see it written in October ink.

Keep the letters coming.

12-23-2025, 07:43 PM	#97
liberty-ca Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 223	The Prayers Pulpit: A Postseason Fan Mailbag By Gemmie Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle and Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) The bunting is draped over the railings at Sacramento Stadium, the smell of roasted peanuts is heavier in the air, and the city is buzzing like a downed power line. 115 wins. It’s a number that feels like a myth, but as we head into Game 1 against the Seattle Lucifers, the fans are feeling a mix of divine inspiration and playoff nerves. We opened up the mailbag this week to see what’s on your minds as we embark on the most important October in Sacramento history. Let’s dive in. As always, letters have been edited for clarity, length, and emotional temperature. ★ ★ ★ Q: Gemmie, be honest. How worried should we be about Jordan Rubalcava’s elbow? If our 22-win ace isn't at 100%, is this 115-win season destined for a first-round exit? — Nervous in Natomas Gemmie: It’s the $64,000 question, isn't it? Losing a guy who went 22-4 with a 2.27 ERA right before the dance is enough to make any manager lose sleep. The official word is "day-to-day," and seeing him pitch seven innings in the Tucson finale was encouraging, even if he left with discomfort. Losing him for even a week matters. But Sacramento has done two crucial things correctly: 1. They didn’t rush him. 2. They didn’t lie about the severity. The organization listing him as day-to-day while planning October contingencies is exactly what you want to see. But here’s the silver lining: Fernando Salazar (19-9) and Russ Gray (18-8) would be #1 aces on almost any other team in the league. We aren't a one-man show. If Rubalcava needs to be pushed back to Game 3 or 4 to ensure that elbow is stable, Jimmy Aces has the luxury of two workhorses to lead the charge. We aren't "destined" for an exit — we’re built to survive a hit like this. ★ ★ ★ Q: Everyone is talking about Edwin Musco’s 30 homers, but I’m looking at Bret Perez. He looked like a man possessed against the Priests. Is he our X-factor? — Base-Path Benny Gemmie: You hit the nail on the head, Benny. While Musco provides the thunder, Bret Perez is the lightning. Going 9-for-14 against Brooklyn was a statement. When Perez is on base — and he’s been there a lot lately — it changes how pitchers have to approach the entire heart of our order. With 40 stolen bases, he creates chaos. If he keeps hitting near .300 and terrorizing catchers, the Lucifers’ pitchers are going to be too distracted to worry about Musco and Velasquez. He is absolutely the engine of this offense right now. ★ ★ ★ Q: Seattle’s bats are no joke. Do the Lucifers actually have a tactical advantage because they’ve been playing "must-win" games for a month while we’ve been coasting with a 20-game lead? — Worried about the "Coasting" Curse Gemmie: This is a classic baseball debate. "Rest vs. Rust." It’s true, Sacramento hasn't played a game that mattered for the standings since August. However, did you see that 12-inning walk-off against the Priests? That didn't look like a team that was "coasting." Jimmy Aces has kept the intensity high, and the late-season injuries to Murguia and Rubalcava actually forced the team to stay sharp and play focused baseball. Seattle is scrappy, but 115 wins doesn't happen by accident. I’ll take the rested, superior roster over the "hot" team every time. ★ ★ ★ Q: “What actually scares you about this team?” — Anonymous (handwritten, no return address) Chad:Two things: 1. Extra-inning volatility — Sacramento is just 7–8 in extra-inning games. That doesn’t matter much now, but October turns coin flips into verdicts. 2. Defensive fatigue — errors are creeping in (three in Sunday’s 12-inning win vs Brooklyn), especially from players logging 140+ games. Neither is fatal. Both are reminders that dominance still requires precision. The good news? The Prayers are already playing playoff baseball — close games, short leashes, situational thinking. They’re not perfect. They’re prepared. ★ ★ ★ Q: Who is the one "unsung hero" we should watch in the Division Series? — Old School Fan Gemmie: Keep your eyes on Roberto Cardenas. He’s the ultimate professional. Whether he’s pinch-hitting for Hicks or filling in for an ailing Murguia in left field, the man just produces. He hit that massive 2-run shot against Brooklyn to spark a comeback, and he’s hitting over .230 with pop. In a short series, you always need that one guy off the bench to provide a "Kirk Gibson" moment. Cardenas is my pick to be that guy. ★ ★ ★ Q: Gemmie, give us a prediction. Prayers in how many? — “Seat 23, Row L” Gemmie: The Lucifers will steal one in Seattle because that crowd is hostile, but the Prayers are too deep, too disciplined, and frankly, too historic to falter now. The Verdict: Prayers in 4. We’ll celebrate the ALDS clinch on the road and bring the party back home for the League Championship. ★ ★ ★ FINAL THOUGHT Chad: This season has stopped being about validation. At 115–47, with the division clinched and the roster managing itself like a veteran group, the question isn’t whether Sacramento belongs. It’s whether anyone can force them out of their rhythm. Judging by the mail, the city already knows the answer — it’s just waiting to see it written in October ink. Keep the letters coming.