The Pastime Baseball League

[EMSoccerCoach]

September 17, 2018

NORTHERN LEAGUE WEST

Sacramento 12, Charlotte 8: The Stingers build a 12-0 lead as they batter Curt Simmons (11-16). Sid Gordon smacked two homers (24, 25), driving in 4, and Ryne Sandberg hit his 7th to support a less-than-stellar Russ Ford (14-12). Dobie Moore had four hits and scored three runs for Charlotte. Philadelphia's 17-4 drubbing of Indianapolis put the Ringers up 8 in the East with 12 games remaining.

Chicago 5, New York 3: Len Barker won his 20th game of the season for the Hitmen, going the distance despite walking six and striking out no one. Frank Baker and Biz Mackey each had three hits for the Hitmen. John Lackey (15-12) took the loss for New York.

Louisville 5, Wichita 4: Frank Chance's 3-run homer off winner Rube Foster (14-14) in the 8th inning pulled the Brigade within a run but Brad Lidge picked up save number 22 on the season with a perfect 9th for Louisville. Smoky Burgess (20) and Buck Leonard (15) homered for the Racers.

West	W	L	PCT	GB
Sacramento Stingers	76	74	.507	-
Chicago Hitmen	72	78	.482	4.0
Wichita Brigade	70	80	.466	6.0

[EMSoccerCoach]

September 18, 2018

NORTHERN LEAGUE WEST

Sacramento 5, Charlotte 3: After going 2-10 from July 1 to Sept. 1, Steve Rogers (11-16) has righted the ship this month, going to distance here to top rookie Rick Mahler (0-2), who was done in by 7 walks over 5 1/3 and a second inning error by Orlando Hudson. Jack Clark hit his 18 homer for Sacramento. Dobie Moore (8) and Turkey Stearnes (18) homered for Charlotte, which watched Philadelphia win again.

New York 5, Chicago 3: Denny LeMaster (11-17) and Jose Mendez (7-5) threw dueling 5-hitters. But Mendez benefited from a Duffy Lewis 2-run shot in the 8th that broke a 2-2 tie and put the Heroes ahead.

Louisville 8, Wichita 0: Charlie Buffinton (14-12) threw a 3-hit shutout to beat Rube Waddell (8-13) and the Brigade. Mookie Wilson hit his second homer and Jim Lefebvre drove in 2 to reach the 100 RBI mark for the second time.

West	W	L	PCT	GB
Sacramento Stingers	77	74	.510	-
Chicago Hitmen	72	79	.477	5.0
Wichita Brigade	70	81	.463	7.0

[EMSoccerCoach]

September 19, 2018

NORTHERN LEAGUE WEST

Sacramento 5, Philadelphia 2: In what looks like a Northern League Championship Series preview the Stingers ran their winning streak to 8, as Bob Veale (12-14) outpitched Bill Byrd (17-9). Fred Lynn broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth and Sacramento never looked back.

Charlotte 2, Chicago 0: Jake Peavy (20-9) was one out shy of picking up his 21st win before a rain delay forced him out after the one hour stoppage. It didn't matter, though, as the Hitmen offense continues to struggle this month, scoring 13 runs in their last 7 games - 5 of those in one game. Jim Clancy (4-3) got the win with three perfect innings. He came in with an ERA of 6.44

West	W	L	PCT	GB
Sacramento Stingers	78	74	.513	-
Chicago Hitmen	72	80	.472	6.0

[PhillieFever]

How bout the Ringers!!! Finally a winner in Philadelphia!

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

How bout the Ringers!!! Finally a winner in Philadelphia!

After 4 straight losing seasons and only 3 winners in the first 9, the Ringers will post their best record ever and win their first division title as the PBL wraps up its first decade.

An extra tidbit...they are 6-4 against Sacramento this season!

[EMSoccerCoach]

September 20, 2018

NORTHERN LEAGUE WEST

Sacramento 10, Philadelphia 2: Make it 9 in a row for the Stingers, who have made Chicago pay for their struggles. Rube Marquard won his 15th game, getting three homers - from Jack Clark, Don Buford and Vic Wertz - to beat Carlos Marmol (16-12).

Chicago 4, Charlotte 3: Down 3-1, the Hitmen battle back to avoid making things any worse, picking up 3 runs in the 8th, including an RBI double from George Stone and the lead-gaining single from Babe Ruth.

West	W	L	PCT	GB
Sacramento Stingers	79	74	.517	-
Chicago Hitmen	73	80	.477	6.0

[EMSoccerCoach]

September 21, 2018

NORTHERN LEAGUE WEST

Milwaukee 4, Sacramento 3 (11 innings): The Bangers blast 3 more homers to raise their Northern League-leading total to 186, the biggest a 2-run homer by Jimmie Hall (12) in the top of the 11th off George Mullin. Al Zarilla (14) and Chick Stahl (7) also homered for Milwaukee. Ryne Sandberg's 2-out game tying RBI pinch-hit single off Dave Righetti to tie it in the 9th scored Jack Clark. Still, the Stingers' win streak ends at 9.

Chicago 4, New York 3: The Hitmen got 8 strong innings from Atlee Hammaker (9-12) and scored four runs in the 7th inning to pick up a game on the Stingers and cling to life.

West	W	L	PCT	GB
Sacramento Stingers	79	75	.513	-
Chicago Hitmen	74	80	.481	5.0

[EMSoccerCoach]

September 22, 2018

NORTHERN LEAGUE WEST

Milwaukee 2, Sacramento 1: Russ Ford (14-13) was good. John Montefusco (10-13) was better. "The Count" hurled 8 innings of 1-run, 2-hit baseball and Bruce Sutter threw a perfect 9th inning as the Bangers took their second straight from the Stingers. Jimmie Hall homered in the 8th to break a 1-1 tie, the winning hit for the second straight day.

New York 8, Chicago 6: Len Barker (20-9) was pounded for 7 runs in 3 1/3 and New York's bullpen threw 3 1/3 innings of scoreless 2-hit ball after the Hitmen got within 6-5 with a 3-run 6th. The Hitmen can ill afford to lose a chance to gain ground when they have their ace on the mound against a last place team.

West	W	L	PCT	GB
Sacramento Stingers	79	76	.510	-
Chicago Hitmen	74	81	.477	5.0

[EMSoccerCoach]

September 23, 2018

NORTHERN LEAGUE WEST

Milwaukee 7, Sacramento 5: The Stingers were 3 outs away from tightening the screws further on Chicago after 8 1/3 innings of 1-run ball by Steve Rogers. But Joe Benz and George Mullin spit the bit, the big blow a 2-out grand slam from Al Zarilla off Benz as part of a 6-run inning that gave the Bangers a stirring come from behind victory. Ed Bailey, George Shuba and Ted Kluszewski homered for the Stingers in the loss.

New York 8, Chicago 6: Up 6-3 and with a chance to gain ground and keep the faint candle alive, Chicago instead mirrored Sacramento's collapse, allowing 5 runs in the 8th, including a Duffy Lewis homer off Denny LeMaster, who fell to 11-18. Charlie Liebrandt won in relief, as Dick Radatz picked up save number 24.

West	W	L	PCT	GB
Sacramento Stingers	79	77	.507	-
Chicago Hitmen	74	82	.473	5.0

[EMSoccerCoach]

September 25, 2018

NORTHERN LEAGUE WEST

Philadelphia 8, Sacramento 5: Having clinched the East last week, the Ringers come out of a league-wide day off on the 24th hoping to make a statement of revenue against their likely NLCS opponent, who swept a 2-game set from them last week. A pummeling of 3-time Outstanding Pitcher Bob Veale (12-15) for 7 runs over 2 1/3 serves as a nice start. Jim Ray Hart, Jason Thompson and George Burns each drove in two for the Ringers. Ed Bailey hit his 17th and Jack Clark his 20th for the Stingers.

Milwaukee 10, Chicago 3: Former #1 pick Al Rosen hit his 27th homer and drove in 5 as the Bangers knock around Rudy May (5-8) to make the Hitmen's tragic number 1.

West	W	L	PCT	GB
Sacramento Stingers	79	78	.503	-
Chicago Hitmen	74	83	.470	5.0

[EMSoccerCoach]

September 26, 2018

NORTHERN LEAGUE WEST

Philadelphia 4, Sacramento 1: Carlos Marmol (17-12) threw a complete game, striking out 7, as the Ringers snuffed out the Stingers again to delay their celebration. Rube Marquard (15-12) went the distance in the loss for Sacramento.

Chicago 7, Milwaukee 3: Atlee Hammaker (10-12) and the Hitmen overcame three homers by Milwaukee - including 2 from Al Rosen (28, 29) - to pick up a game on Sacramento and stave off elimination.

West	W	L	PCT	GB
Sacramento Stingers	79	79	.500	-
Chicago Hitmen	75	83	.474	4.0

[EMSoccerCoach]

September 27, 2018

NORTHERN LEAGUE WEST

Milwaukee 8, Chicago 6: Sacramento was playing later, and by the time they would take the field they would have the division clinched. Despite a 5-run second inning, Chicago was done in by another poor effort from 20-game winner Len Barker and a pair of Milwaukee homers from Tank Carr (29) and Joe Tinker (15).

And with that, we're on to the postseason.

West	W	L	PCT	GB
Sacramento Stingers	79	80	.496	-
Chicago Hitmen	75	84	.471	4.0

[EMSoccerCoach]

FINAL 2018 STANDINGS

Northern League Standings
East	W	L	PCT	GB
Philadelphia Ringers	93	69	.574	-
Charlotte Cougars	87	75	.537	6.0
Louisville Racers	86	76	.531	7.0
Boston Riders	85	77	.525	8.0
New York Heroes	72	90	.444	21.0
West	W	L	PCT	GB
Sacramento Stingers	81	81	.500	-
Wichita Brigade	78	84	.481	3.0
Chicago Hitmen	77	85	.475	4.0
Milwaukee Bangers	69	93	.426	12.0
Indianapolis Engines	68	94	.420	13.0

Southern League Standings
East	W	L	PCT	GB
St. Louis Tides	93	69	.574	-
Alabama Airmen	86	76	.531	7.0
Memphis Strummers	82	80	.506	11.0
New Orleans Knights	78	84	.481	15.0
Orlando Orcas	69	93	.426	24.0
West	W	L	PCT	GB
Los Angeles Idols	99	63	.611	-
San Antonio Sheriffs	89	73	.549	10.0
Arizona Sandmen	87	75	.537	12.0
Oklahoma City Scorpions	74	88	.457	25.0
Las Vegas Bosses	67	95	.414	32.0

[EMSoccerCoach]

FINAL 2018 LEADERS

[EMSoccerCoach]

FINAL 2018 LEADERS

[kenyan_cheena]

Wow, the top four teams in the NL East all had a better record than the Stingers. Do they rank as your weakest division champion ever?

[PhillieFever]

It really is odd that the Eastern division is that much better than the West, I mean Sacramento is really only the 5th best team in the Conference and they wound up making the postseason.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Wow, the top four teams in the NL East all had a better record than the Stingers. Do they rank as your weakest division champion ever?

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

It really is odd that the Eastern division is that much better than the West, I mean Sacramento is really only the 5th best team in the Conference and they wound up making the postseason.

Absolutely, they are the weakest division champ ever.

Sacramento Stingers 2018 .500 (TBD)
New York Heroes 2012 .515 (Lost PBL Championship to New Orleans 4-2)
Boston Riders 2015 .519 (Lost NLCS to Sacramento 4-1)
Sacramento Stingers 2016 .525 (Lost NLCS to Louisville 4-2)
St. Louis Tides 2016 .537 (Lost SLCS to Sacramento 4-3)
Chicago Hitmen 2017 .537 (Lost NLCS to Louisville 4-2)
Arizona Sandmen 2009 .549 (Lost SLCS to Memphis (4-0)
Orlando Orcas 2011 .549 (Won PBL Championship)
San Antonio Sheriffs 2013 .549 (Lost SLCS to Memphis 4-2)

This is more interesting because the Northern League East is traditionally the PBL's WORST division. In the 10 year history of the PBL, only once has the second place team in the East topped a .550 win percentage (Louisville, at .580, in 2011).

[EMSoccerCoach]

2018 LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PREVIEWS




vs

Sacramento Stingers (81-81) vs Philadelphia Ringers (93-69)

SACRAMENTO LEADERS

Team Leaders AVG G. Shuba .264 J. Clark .252 T. Kluszewski .233 S. Gordon .228	Team Leaders HR S. Gordon 25 T. Kluszewski 23 E. Bailey 20 J. Clark 20 G. Shuba 18	Team Leaders RBI S. Gordon 76 E. Bailey 72 J. Clark 71 G. Shuba 66 T. Kluszewski 65
Team Leaders W R. Marquard 15 R. Ford 14 B. Veale 13 S. Rogers 12 B. Shawkey 11	Team Leaders ERA R. Marquard 3.31 R. Ford 3.59 S. Rogers 3.84 B. Veale 4.27	Team Leaders K R. Marquard 129 R. Ford 113 S. Rogers 94 B. Veale 90 B. Shawkey 83

Who's Hot? C Ed Bailey .350, 5 HR Last 6 games Who's Not?

Pitching Staff Role T Pitcher G GS W L SV ERA WHIP Status Starter R Russ Ford 30 30 14 14 0 3.59 1.22 Tired Starter L Bob Veale 34 34 13 15 0 4.27 1.51 Totally Exhausted Starter R Steve Rogers 32 32 12 16 0 3.84 1.35 Tired Starter L Rube Marquard 31 31 15 12 0 3.31 1.17 Rested Spot Starter R Dave Stewart 7 0 0 0 1 3.75 1.42 Rested Middle Reliever L Al Brazle 5 0 0 0 1 4.66 1.34 Rested Middle Reliever R Joe Benz 12 1 0 1 1 5.21 1.47 Rested Setup Reliever R Dave Stewart 7 0 0 0 1 3.75 1.42 Rested Setup Reliever L Wilbur Cooper 18 4 2 3 10 4.24 1.44 Rested Closer R Bob Shawkey 40 15 11 8 9 2.92 1.23 Rested

Catchers # B Player Pos G AB H HR RBI R BB K .AVG OBP SLG 2 L Ed Bailey C 127 409 107 20 72 62 48 68 .262 .340 .447 52 L Rich Gedman C 14 28 7 2 5 2 0 4 .250 .250 .500

Infielders # B Player Pos G AB H HR RBI R BB K .AVG OBP SLG 22 L Justin Morneau 1B 25 75 15 2 7 4 3 12 .200 .231 .307 30 R Shorty Fuller 2B 89 157 31 3 11 24 15 29 .197 .266 .312 17 R Sid Gordon SS 155 523 119 25 76 68 80 146 .228 .330 .419 51 R Art Fletcher SS 113 365 92 6 34 37 13 33 .252 .283 .367 26 R Joel Youngblood 3B 90 274 59 4 32 17 21 57 .215 .279 .303 21 L Ted Kluszewski 1B 144 523 122 23 65 69 31 33 .233 .275 .394 37 R Ryne Sandberg 2B 82 254 64 7 30 33 15 41 .252 .295 .417 4 S Johnny Ray 2B 3 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 .333 .333 .333

Outfielders # B Player Pos G AB H HR RBI R BB K .AVG OBP SLG 48 S Roy White LF 87 264 74 10 32 35 33 35 .280 .362 .432 20 L Fred Lynn CF 125 402 110 14 55 40 43 63 .274 .349 .423 15 R Jack Clark RF 139 524 132 20 71 69 39 96 .252 .302 .435 67 R Socks Seybold RF 22 45 9 2 5 6 8 11 .200 .321 .378 8 L George Shuba LF 140 507 134 18 66 63 54 59 .264 .329 .428

PHILADELPHIA LEADERS

Team Leaders AVG C. Furillo .320 M. Irvin .305 J. McGraw .299 W. Cromartie .279 B. Hamilton .252	Team Leaders HR M. Irvin 22 J. Thompson 15 C. Furillo 13 C. Ripken 13 3 tied with 10	Team Leaders RBI C. Furillo 90 M. Irvin 77 J. McGraw 69 R. Furcal 66 2 tied with 59
Team Leaders W E. Walsh 21 B. Byrd 18 C. Marmol 17 D. Waechter 15 2 tied with 7	Team Leaders ERA C. Marmol 3.43 E. Walsh 3.61 B. Byrd 4.35 D. Waechter 4.56	Team Leaders K C. Marmol 258 B. Byrd 178 E. Walsh 126 D. Waechter 109 W. Whyte 61

Who's Hot? P Doug Corbett 16 SV, 1.45 Last 25 games Who's Not?

Pitching Staff Role T Pitcher G GS W L SV ERA WHIP Status Starter R Carlos Marmol 35 35 17 12 0 3.43 1.19 Totally Exhausted Starter R Bill Byrd 31 31 18 9 0 4.35 1.39 Rested Starter R Doug Waechter 31 31 15 10 0 4.56 1.43 Slightly Tired Starter R Ray Brown 18 6 4 2 2 3.26 1.30 Rested Spot Starter R Steve Blass 13 1 0 1 1 3.13 1.52 Tired Middle Reliever R Bill Doak 31 5 7 7 5 5.10 1.49 Rested Middle Reliever R Moose Haas 13 0 0 1 1 4.97 1.42 Rested Setup Reliever L George Mogridge 39 0 3 2 3 3.25 1.03 Slightly Tired Setup Reliever R Steve Blass 13 1 0 1 1 3.13 1.52 Tired Closer R Doug Corbett 50 0 0 4 31 2.45 1.23 Rested

Catchers # B Player Pos G AB H HR RBI R BB K .AVG OBP SLG 17 R Bob Brenly C 64 232 66 10 49 35 22 44 .284 .353 .457 42 L Jack Lapp C 102 357 91 6 40 36 23 42 .255 .305 .350

Infielders # B Player Pos G AB H HR RBI R BB K .AVG OBP SLG 40 L John McGraw 2B 138 525 157 10 69 80 94 79 .299 .411 .400 8 R Cal Ripken 3B 79 216 74 13 52 37 20 26 .343 .390 .611 18 S Rafael Furcal SS 140 450 106 9 66 81 84 73 .236 .355 .340 31 L Jason Thompson 1B 100 352 89 15 59 43 48 59 .253 .339 .406 16 R Jim Ray Hart 3B 87 353 94 8 48 50 12 56 .266 .293 .397 9 R Rick Burleson SS 23 76 23 1 5 11 10 7 .303 .384 .408

Outfielders # B Player Pos G AB H HR RBI R BB K .AVG OBP SLG 5 R Carl Furillo CF 142 579 185 13 90 82 31 35 .320 .351 .463 11 R Monte Irvin LF 140 557 170 22 77 87 50 49 .305 .366 .474 49 L Warren Cromartie RF 133 531 148 9 59 59 20 50 .279 .306 .390 11 L Lyman Bostock CF 114 300 93 3 34 44 23 23 .310 .356 .417 20 R Bob Nieman LF 55 191 47 7 21 26 24 31 .246 .329 .398 37 L Tony Oliva RF 10 36 15 2 8 7 1 3 .417 .432 .667 38 R Heavy Johnson RF 22 73 16 3 11 9 13 22 .219 .345 .438

SEASON SERIES: Philadelphia won 6 of 10

Injuries could play a part here for Philadelphia, who hope to get Carl Furillo (.320-13-90) and Billy Hamilton (.252-7-56, 35 SB) back for Game One. The bigger question is ace Ed Walsh, whose 20 wins could stay on the shelf for the series, as back spasms have him derailed for the time being, prompting criticism he was ridden too hard in September - going 10 innings, 9 innings and 9 innings again over three starts mid-month, despite the Ringers being in the driver's seat for the division.

An elbow injury has sidelined Don Buford (.256-4-28, 20 SB) for Sacramento, but shouldn't affect them much, as Ryne Sandberg (.252-7-30), despite late season struggles, should fill in adequately.

[EMSoccerCoach]

2018 LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PREVIEWS



vs

St. Louis Tides (93-69) vs Los Angeles Idols (99-63)

TIDES LEADERS

Team Leaders AVG T. Speaker .342 D. Snider .313 R. Staub .304 J. Evers .281 C. Lansford .269	Team Leaders HR D. Snider 28 S. Crawford 17 R. Staub 15 D. Lock 7 2 more tied with 7	Team Leaders RBI D. Snider 130 R. Staub 95 T. Speaker 80 S. Crawford 69 2 tied with 51
Team Leaders W V. Trucks 20 F. Jenkins 19 R. Branca 18 F. Smith 10 3 tied with 5	Team Leaders ERA V. Trucks 3.33 F. Jenkins 4.21 R. Branca 4.23	Team Leaders K V. Trucks 175 R. Branca 166 F. Jenkins 136 J. Page 104 V. Zambrano 58

Who's Hot? P Joe Sambito 8 SV, 1.62 Last 17 games Who's Not?

Pitching Staff Role T Pitcher G GS W L SV ERA WHIP Status Starter R Virgil Trucks 33 33 20 9 0 3.33 1.26 Rested Starter R Tommy Bond 11 11 5 6 0 4.93 1.64 Rested Starter R Ralph Branca 34 34 18 13 0 4.23 1.37 Slightly Tired Starter R Fergie Jenkins 32 32 19 10 0 4.21 1.23 Day-to-Day Spot Starter R Victor Zambrano 20 16 5 8 0 4.82 1.47 Totally Exhausted Middle Reliever R Alejandro Pena 43 0 4 2 3 4.33 1.67 Slightly Tired Middle Reliever R Victor Zambrano 20 16 5 8 0 4.82 1.47 Totally Exhausted Setup Reliever R Bob Apodaca 40 0 2 1 3 2.43 1.11 Slightly Tired Setup Reliever L Joe Hoerner 38 0 1 1 6 4.47 1.34 Rested Closer L Joe Sambito 47 0 4 2 29 1.97 1.16 Out

Catchers # B Player Pos G AB H HR RBI R BB K .AVG OBP SLG 4 R Doggie Miller C 79 225 55 7 39 42 22 17 .244 .311 .427 32 L Dick Higham C 104 366 94 3 51 28 14 56 .257 .284 .369

Infielders # B Player Pos G AB H HR RBI R BB K .AVG OBP SLG 11 L Rusty Staub 1B 147 520 158 15 95 96 76 41 .304 .393 .462 40 L Johnny Evers 2B 131 513 144 0 31 88 49 15 .281 .349 .351 10 R Pete Suder 3B 149 528 141 7 47 51 38 27 .267 .318 .352 31 R Dickie Thon SS 53 182 33 0 15 15 7 32 .181 .207 .209 9 R Hal Chase 1B 69 234 70 3 26 41 9 20 .299 .327 .402 12 R Carney Lansford 3B 125 501 135 4 51 59 28 58 .269 .312 .341 20 R Willie Randolph 2B 40 48 13 0 11 15 8 2 .271 .368 .417

Outfielders # B Player Pos G AB H HR RBI R BB K .AVG OBP SLG 75 L Sam Crawford RF 128 431 120 17 69 54 40 79 .278 .337 .462 5 L Tris Speaker CF 140 564 193 6 80 90 53 39 .342 .397 .479 18 R Tommy Harper RF 76 131 37 2 20 18 11 24 .282 .336 .412 6 L Duke Snider CF 162 646 202 28 130 113 57 102 .313 .365 .509 33 L Irv Noren LF 133 462 124 7 68 51 51 51 .268 .338 .377 25 R Don Lock LF 87 221 50 7 38 34 20 59 .226 .286 .389

IDOLS LEADERS

Team Leaders AVG T. Cobb .333 D. Brouthers .328 O. Charleston .322 Y. Berra .291 D. Winfield .287	Team Leaders HR D. Brouthers 44 Y. Berra 29 R. Sievers 27 L. Easter 26 D. Winfield 22	Team Leaders RBI D. Brouthers 125 R. Sievers 108 Y. Berra 104 D. Winfield 92 L. Easter 86
Team Leaders W S. Chacon 19 M. Prior 16 B. Ojeda 15 J. Clarkson 13 R. Nolasco 13	Team Leaders ERA B. Ojeda 3.18 M. Prior 4.16 S. Chacon 4.31 R. Nolasco 4.47 J. Clarkson 4.70	Team Leaders K M. Prior 169 S. Chacon 153 B. Ojeda 150 R. Nolasco 128 J. Clarkson 111

Who's Hot? P Jonathan Papelbon 6 SV, 0.00 Last 11 games P Billy McCool 2-0, 1.88 Last 12 games C Yogi Berra .433, 2 HR Last 8 games LF Oscar Charleston .435, 2 HR Last 6 games Who's Not?

Pitching Staff Role T Pitcher G GS W L SV ERA WHIP Status Starter L Bob Ojeda 33 33 15 10 0 3.18 1.32 Rested Starter R Shawn Chacon 34 34 19 8 0 4.31 1.42 Tired Starter R Mark Prior 32 32 16 8 0 4.16 1.32 Slightly Tired Starter R John Clarkson 32 32 13 14 0 4.70 1.47 Totally Exhausted Spot Starter R Ricky Nolasco 26 26 13 7 0 4.47 1.25 Rested Middle Reliever R Ricky Nolasco 26 26 13 7 0 4.47 1.25 Rested Middle Reliever R Ed Summers 15 3 3 2 0 3.33 1.52 Tired Setup Reliever L Brian Fuentes 47 0 4 3 21 4.26 1.43 Rested Setup Reliever L Billy McCool 42 0 5 4 2 4.85 1.52 Rested Closer R Jonathan Papelbon 61 0 9 6 11 3.16 1.21 Rested

Catchers # B Player Pos G AB H HR RBI R BB K .AVG OBP SLG 24 L Brian McCann C 44 100 31 5 20 17 10 10 .310 .373 .520 38 L Yogi Berra C 142 588 171 29 104 71 55 47 .291 .353 .476

Infielders # B Player Pos G AB H HR RBI R BB K .AVG OBP SLG 2 L Dan Brouthers 1B 160 628 206 44 125 125 83 40 .328 .409 .616 73 R Hardy Richardson 2B 69 204 48 11 34 32 25 45 .235 .316 .441 15 R Roy Sievers 3B 156 620 175 27 108 99 51 87 .282 .343 .463 20 L Luke Easter SS 122 450 137 26 86 64 33 39 .304 .348 .533 51 R Jorge Cantu 2B 28 31 8 2 7 4 2 3 .258 .286 .484 7 L Hank Thompson 2B 113 360 103 16 65 66 39 42 .286 .359 .444 68 R Dave Brain SS 72 152 35 6 24 24 4 13 .230 .255 .395

Outfielders # B Player Pos G AB H HR RBI R BB K .AVG OBP SLG 23 L Oscar Charleston LF 112 454 146 19 57 98 82 82 .322 .426 .515 49 L Ty Cobb RF 126 535 178 4 73 88 50 39 .333 .387 .437 42 L Jerry Turner RF 121 414 130 7 57 73 42 38 .314 .378 .442 31 R Dave Winfield CF 140 609 175 22 92 94 39 91 .287 .327 .442 29 R Wally Post LF 116 433 127 17 59 59 28 84 .293 .336 .448 37 R Sixto Lezcano RF 38 72 20 1 2 14 10 12 .278 .366 .361

Season Series: Teams split 10 games, 5-5

Can anyone stop baseball's most dynamic offense? The Idols hit 240 homers, hit .298 as a team, and scored a PBL record 961 runs. That despite injuries nicking up Ty Cobb, Oscar Charleston and Luke Easter at various points. But the Idols are healthy now, and that means an uphill climb for a St. Louis club 15th in the PBL in payroll - compared with Los Angeles' league-topping $65.3 million.

19-game winner Fergie Jenkins is shaking off an oblique strain, and though he won't be ready for Game 2 to follow 20-game winner Virgil Trucks, he will be ready for Game 3 it's presumed. Ralph Branca (18-10, 4.23) will likely get that Game Two start. But the Tides hope nobody underestimates their firepower, second in baseball at 835 runs - yes, almost 130 fewer than the Idols. Duke Snider, Rusty Staub and Tris Speaker have the daunting task of standing toe to toe with L.A.'s trio of Dan Brouthers, Ty Cobb and Oscar Charleston.