NABO48 w/ MLBPA ... Updated for '26

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Bama puts the game away early with a 7R 3rd inning.

The top of the order duo of 1B Matt Baker and 2B Dave Roberson continues to be elite, going 5-9 with a walk to reach base 6 times out of 10. All Birmingham batters collected a hit except for one ... not going to mention any names, but it was C Vinny Andrade.

SP Marashiro Takiuchi was outstanding and LR Mitch Bratt was solid, earning the 3-inning save.

Birmingham splits the 4-game set with PauP.

Series W-L: 12-11-3
Game W-L: 44-40
+4 Over .500

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C Vinny Andrade is a solid ML catcher, with potential to improve more. He's cheap, on the minimum contract, and will be the starting catcher for the 2nd half of the season.

Andrade will also be expected to be the starting C next season.

C Yanuel 'Yani' Casiano is an excellent backup caycer, likely start quality. At 28yo, he's likely done developing, but will serve the remainder of the year as the backup ... a role the team would like to see him continue next season as well.

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1B/LF Matt Baker has been the awesome surprise of the season. A batter that hits for average, OBP, and slugs ... the complete package. His lack of speed may make him more suited for the 2-hole, or even the 3, but for the rest of 2035 Baker will start at 1B, playing LF at times.

The expectation is that Baker will be the starting 1B, LF, or DH, for the next season, depending on team needs.

1B Danny O'Neal has been the frustrating case, the unsolvable mystery, of 2035. The team just wants him to hit near his potential.His 45 wRC+ isn;t enough for him to return to the roster, let alone be a starter in this league. The team would love for O'Neal to become the starting 1B, or starting DH, while being able to fill in at the corners ... provided he hits. O'Neal will get more opportunities in the second half to find his batting groove.

O'Neal is playing for his role on the roster, this year and next. If he can gain some momentum, he's a candidate for the D-Lab in the offseason.

1B Bobby Sharp has found himself as the odd man out, with the arrival of Matt Baker. Sharp, a reliable contact hitter, vR or vL, has a 107 wRC+, which isn't enough to be a starting 1B or DH in NABO for a team that wants to contend. For the 2nd half of the season he will get the occassional start but primarily serve as a PH due to his reliable contact skills.

Sharp's role on the team next year will likelt be determined by Danny O'Neal.

3B Jason Maddox is one of the players the team is really excited about. If he can continue to be a league average batter, possibly going 20-40, while providing his well above average defense, he could be a solid contributor for years to come. Maddox will be the starting 3B the rest of the season, and for next season.

He is a serious D-Lab candidate for the offseason, working on either power or batting eye.

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2B Dave Roberson is the most recognizable Board, the team's best player ... still remaining on the team ... and he has produced even better than expected. The only downside of Roberson's 1st half is his -10 ZR. For the 2nd half of the season Robes will move to DH, with SS Kortz taking over 2B and Lombard becoming the starting SS.

Roberson is expected to be the starting DH for next years team. As the only player making ~10M/y, the team will always be looking for trade offers, but he's been so valuable as part of the 1-2 combo at the top of the lineup, he's likely too valuable to trade.

2B Colby Jones is a solid, well rounded player that likely deserves more playing time than he's receiving in Birmingham. He's served as the utility IF. He'll continue to serve as the utility IF, and he's cost effective until the arbitration years are reached, where he'll likely become too expensive to keep on as a utility man.

SS/2B Zachary Kortz is the position player the team is most excited about. He's been starting at SS, but will move to 2B to send Roberson to DH and get Lombard's glove into the every day lineup.

Kortz will be the starting 2B next year as well. The team, will be sending him to D-Lab to increase power in the offseason. Bama's #1 prospect is a 2B, so if Lombard cannot hit well enough to stay at starter for SS, Kortz will move back to SS in the future.

Kortz could be a GG winner at 2B.

SS Jacob Lombard is likely done developing, but his glove is eilte. He'll be moving into the starting SS role and is expected to contend for a GG, giving the Boars GG contenders at 2B, SS, and 3B.

Right now his OPS of .622 is well below his .699 career OPS. The team needs him to get closer to the .700 OPS than where he's at now. Still, his defense is incredibly valuable, specifically in that it allows the team to upgrade defense at both SS and 2B (with Kortz replacing Roberson at 2B_)

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LF Jackson Chourio has been one of the team's best players. He's a FA at the end of the season and the team will not seek to resign him as he's looking for a 56M/4y deal. Until then he will continue to be the starting LF and timely hitter.

The team may try to offer him a QO, receiving a good draft pick if he doesn't accept ... but there's always the risk that he could accept the QO, which the team cannot likely afford.

OF Jon Curd is a solid 4th outfielder. He still has room to grow and is a candidate for the D-Lab. He will serve as the 4th OF for the rest of the season and will have a chance to earn a starting role next year.

CF Anthony Pack Jr has been the starting CF for much of the year and will continue to start in CF. While his bat his light, his value as an elite defensive CF, a legit GG candidate, and speedburner on the bases, keeps him valuable to the team. The Boars sport one of the best defensive outfields in the game. Pack Jr will be expected to be the starting CF next year, with prospect CF Williams joining the squad to replace Chourio's spot on the roster.

RF Nick Calloway, the team's only All-Star (starting RF in ASG), has been solid all season. He'll continue being the anchor in the outfield for the rest of this season and next. Calloway is safe bet to continue poutting up 3 WAR seasons for a reasonable cost.

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SP Mike Melchor has been solid at the top of the rotation. He's a QS machine, but has not received his due in the W-L column. Melchie will continue to be a main start in the second half and next season. With room to develop, he'll be in the D-Lab in the offseason, developing greater movement on his pitches.

SP Johnathan Booska has been pretty good this year, racking up a handful of QS, but suffering some horrific games. He'll continue in the rotation for the second half, but due to his limited abilit to deveelop, he'll also be pitching to prove his worth as a starting pitcher for the team next season.

Rookie SP Fred Steward has been even better than expected. He'll continue to be in the rotation for the remainder of 2035, and will certainly go into the D-Lab in the offseason working on control, as that has been his primary issue during the season. Stewie should remain atop the Boars rotation for the length of his contract.

SP Masahiro Takiuchi has outproduced all reasonable expectations. It's unclear whether Taki can keep working his magic without strikeout stuff, but he'll be pitching in the rotation in the 2nd half to prove it. He's likely maxed out as a development situation, but as a minor league FA signing, he's very cost effective to the team.

SP Javier M Martinez Jr, JMJ, has largely been disappointing this season. He's had streaks of very good games and very bad games, which could be expected of a young pitcher. He has plenty of development room and will likely go into the D-Lab in the offseason working on movement or control. The team would love for him to progress and be a solid piece of the rotation for the next 5 years or so. In the second half he's pitching to show that he deserves the team's investment and role inthe rotation.

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LR Mitch Pratt has settled in with his role of being the reliever to enter the game when facing a slew of LHBs. His effectiveness in multiple innings, especially against RHBs, has been disappointing, but his production vs LHBs has been valuable. Pratt will continue the role in the second half of the season, while his role next season is uncertain.

MR Dustin Chandler has also been an effective upgrade in the bullpen, and will continue his role in the second half with eyes on the D-Lap working on Stuff, so he can have a more prominent role innthe bullpen next season.

MR Eric Glazman has been very effective in his role as reliever after being switched out of the rotation. He'll continue that role for the second half.

For next season, Glaze may be a trade option, as the veteran still desires to be a SP, and the Boars rotation is likely full, especially considering the slew of SP prospects the team has coming down the pipeline.

MR/CL Trevor Moore is a solid, veteran reliever and will continue in his role for the rest of the season.

Next year, given his salary vs IP and quality, he's very likely to be traded with pitching prospects filling his role.

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ST Tony Harris has been the star of the much improved bullpen. The right has very often been lights out for multiple innings and will continue to do that in the 2nd half.

In the offseason, Harris will go in the D-Lab to develop more stamina. Either the stamina gain will get him a shot at the rotation or allow him to pitch even more inning in the valuable stopper role, with 100 IP being his usage goal for next year.

ST Ross Stevens has also been very effective in the late game role. Stevens particularly is dominant against lineups featuring LHBs, but has been effective against all batters.

He'll continue his usage and role this season and be expected to perform the same role next year.

CL Jon Gauer has been great, and with tons of development room, he'll be expected to just keep getting better. He'll be the closer this year and next, going into the D-Lab to develop stuff or control.

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With the All-Star game and festivities complete, the Boars head into the 2nd half. The goal of the team is to finish in 3rd place (or better) as the franchise has yet to accomplish either of those.

It will not be easy for Birmingham as 18 of the their games in July are against teams currently in 1st or 2nd place.

The team's goal is to play .500 ball during this difficult month.

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G85

The start to the 2nd half got off to a horrible start for the Boars. Two Words - Willie Briseno.

The offensive highlights were essentially 3B Jason Maddox and 2B Zachary Kortz providing 2 hits each, with the Boars' lonoe run coming on Maddox's 10th HR of the season.

It was a forgettable day on the mound for Birmingham as SP Mike Melchor, LR Mitch Pratt and MR Eric Glazman all contributing to the BP session that Indiana enjoyed in their 13-1 rout of the Boars.

G86

Birmingham got back to playing close games, and good baseball, but fell short 3-1 and 0-2 in the series.

The Boars lone positive on offense was 3B Jason Maddox hitting his 11th HR of the season, now homering in consecutive games.

On the mound SP Jonathan Booska kept Briseno out of the hit column, but allowed a 2R HR to 1B Mike Moffit in the 4th that ended up being all Indiana would need. ST Tony Harris picked up where he left off in the 1st half, throwing 2+ scoreless innings in relief.

G87

Another close game against a top opponent, but another loss for the Boars as they are swept by 1st place Indiana, to start the 2nd half.

C Vinny Andrade drove in all 3 runs for Birmingham.

SP Fred Steward had a crazy start. Despite walking 7 batters, Stewie took a no hitter into the 6th inning, with Bama leading 2-0. Steward would get the QS but had to work far too hard for it. ST Ross Stevens came in relief, but had a meltdown leading to his 3rd BS of the season.

Series W-L: 12-12-3
Game W-L: 44-41
+1 Over .500

The Boars now head to Carolina to play 4 games against the 1st place Crawfish. Birmingham is the closest it has been .500 ball in a long time.

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G88

Boars achieve their first shutout of the season, blanking 1st place Carolina 1-0.

RF Nick Calloway drove in the only run of the game with a 4th inning single.

SP Masahiro Takiuichi pitched 6 innings of shutout ball, despite walking 6 batters. ST Tony Harris put up another 2 scoreless innings before handing the ball over to CL Jon Gauer who earned his 20th save.

G89

Carolina took an early lead off Martinez and did not relinquish it, evening the series 1-1 with a 6-3 win.

LF Jackson Chourio and RF Nick Calloway provided basically the only Birmingham offense with 2 hits each.

SP Javier Martinez Jr continues to struggle, allowing 5 ER in in 5 IP, resulting in him allowing 16 ER in his last 7.1 IP.

G90

The Boars played another good, close game, but fell short 3-2, dropping behind in the series 1-2.

2B Zachary Kortz, 1B Danny O'Neal and CF Jon Curd each provided 2 hits for the Boars, while SP Mike Melchor delivered another non-win QS, with ST Tony Harris throwing another 1.2 scoreless innings..

G91

Birmingham's batters led the way in this game, defeating Carolina 7-3 to take a split in the series.

2B Zachary Kortz led the team in hits, going 3-4, while CF Jon Curd and DH Dave Roberson both provided the club with 2R HRs.

SP Jonathan Booska, labored but kept his team in the lead, earning his 9th win on the season. The bullpen was outstanding with MR Eric Glazman and MR Dustin Chandler throwing 4 innings of scoreless ball to preserve the lead and the win.

Series W-L: 12-12-3
Game W-L: 46-45
+1 Over .500

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Birmingham fell behind 6-3 early on, but then responded with 8 runs over the 5th and 6th inning and would go on to win 12-7.

LF Jackson Chourio led the Boars batters with 4 hits and 4 RBIs. RF Jon Curd hit a 2-run double and SS Jacob Lombard followed with a run scoring single of his own. The Boars would not look back.

SP Fred Steward struggled and only made through 4 innings. LR Mitch Bratt came into the game and threw 3 scoreless innings, earning his 1sr win of the season.

Surviving a rare pitcher's duel for 12 innings, the Boars plated 3 runs in the 13th to take game 2 of the series.

In the 13th inning, C Vinny Andrade walked. Jackson Chourio pinch ran for the catcher, and promptly stole second base. 3B Jason Maddox singled and stole 2nd, putting runners at 2nd and 3rd for LF Jon Curd. For the 2nd night in a row, Curd provided a big run scoring double, giving the Boars a 3-1 lead, on their way to a 4-1 win.

SP Marashiro Takiuchi was outstanding on the bump, allowing just 1 unearned run over 7 IP. Birmingham's two stoppers Ross Stevens and Tony Harris combined for 5 shutout innings in relief. Harris took the win, the 3rd of his season for him, while CL Jon Gauer came on for his 21st save.

In another outstanding pitcher's duel, the Boars lose 2-1 ... but win the series 2-1.

In the first, LF Matt Baker singled, followed by a bloop single by DH Dave Roberson. LF Jackson Chourio reached via FC, forcing Robes at 2B, but allowing Baker to score from 3rd. That was it for the Boars scoring.

SP Javier M Martinez Jr, in a horrific cold streak, pitched a wonderful game, allowing just 2 ER in 7.1 IP. Even though he took the loss, it was a big step forward for the rookie pitcher ... a game score of 65.

Series W-L: 13-12-3
Game W-L: 48-46
+3 Over .500

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In the span of a baseball week, the Boars have 2 combined shutouts as they blank Miami 4-0 in the series opener.

The Daily Duo of 1B Matt Baker and DH Dave Roberson led the way going 4-6 with a walk, a HR and 3 RBI.

SP Mike Melchor was spectacular, throwing 7 shutout innings before turning the ball over to ST Ross Stevens whose 2 innings complete the win ... and the shutout.

The Boars win an epic game, forcing them to tie the game 3 different times, before taking the lead for the final time in the bottom of the 10th.

7 Birmingham batters had 2 hits each, with LF Jackson Chourio walking it off with a 2R double in the b10th.

Boo had another horrific start, lasting just 4 innings, before the bullpen collection took over, and limited Miami to 2 R over the last 6 innings.

Birmingham comes from behind again to earn the win in the final game of the series ... a series sweep against a top team.

In the bottom of the 6th, trailing 4-3, 1B Matt Baker launched a go ahead 2R HR. For the day Baker and DH Dave Roberson went 6-9 with a walk, a HR and 4 RBI.

SP Fred Steward, in the 2nd half of his rookie season, had consecutive poor starts, allowing 6H 4 R and 4 BB in6 IP. Glaze took over and held Miami to a run before CL Jon Gauer came into the game and recorded his 22nd save.

Series W-L: 14-12-3
Game W-L: 51-46
+5 Over .500

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Birmingham gets out to a big lead, Jacksonville battles back, but the Boars hang on to the lead and the win, series 1-0.

All of the Boars, except one collected a hit. LF Anthony Pack Jr led the squad with 3 hits, and 1B Danny O'Neal may be turning his season around with his 3rd HR in the 5th.

SP Marsahiro Takiuichi was not good tonight, allowing 6 runs through 5 innings, but was able to get the win, moving to 6-4 on the season. The bullpen was outstanding, throwing 4 scoreless innings led by ST Tony Harris and ST Ross Stevens. CL Jon Gauer came on for the save, but was shaky again, but MR Trevor Moore was able to come on and finish the job, earning his second save.

The Boars got out to a 2-0 lead, and were able to preserve it to go on to a 2-1 win in game 2 of the 4 game series. The Boars have now won 5 in a row, and 8 of their last 9.

After RF Nick Calloway walked, 2B Zachary Kortz plated him with a double, giving the Boars an early lead.

SP Javier M Martinez Jr continued his journey to get out of his cold streak, throwing 6 innings of shutout ball, allowing just 4 runners. He's now allowed just 3 ER in his last 13.1 IP. MR Dustin Chandler got the hold despite creating his own jam with 3 walks and a hit in the inning, but minimized the damage to just 1 run allowed. MR Trevor Moore earned the save in consecutive games.

The two Southern squads engaged in another pitcher's duel, playing classic baseball, with the Jamboree hanging on to a 3-2 lead, snapping the Boars 5 game winning streak.

2B Zachary Kortz led the team with 2 hits while 1B Matt Baker hit his 8th HR, tying the game 1-1 inthe 5th.

SP Mike Melchor was great early, but struggled in the 6th, allowing JAX to take the lead, but earning another non win QS. MR Eric Glazman and LR Martin Platt combined for 3 scoreless relief innings, but Birmingham was unable to overtake the Jamboree.

After trailing 4-2 for much of the game, the Boars score 4 runs in the final 2 innings, including an incredible walk off hit by a batter serving as an injury replacement.

SP Jonathan Booska was at times good, but overall okay as he allowed 4 ER in 6 IP, striking out 6, walking just one. ST Tony Harris was electric, striking out 4 in 2.1 scoreless IP. ST Ross Stevens pitched the final 2 outs, and ended up with the win, making him 5-3.

1B Matt Baker led the team with 3 hits, but all of the excitement cam in the bottom of the 9th when C Yani Casiano, replacing an injured C Vinny Andrade, drilled a walkoff 3R HR, to take the series 3-1.

Series W-L: 15-12-3
Game W-L: 54-47
+7 Over .500

Our boys are back to 7 over .500, and 3rd place is looking like a real possibility. It wasn't all good news, the Boars will be without C Vinny Andrade for the rest of this season.

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Up 4-0 early, the Outlaws battled back to tie the game 6-6 in the 6th ... but Birmingham took the lead in the 8th, and kept it, winning the series opener 7-6..

DH Dave Roberson set the table, reaching base 4 times in the leadoff spot. 1B Danny O'Neal collected 2 more hits (2 RBI) as he battles his way into more playing time. CF Jon Curd led the team with 3 hits, also driving in the go ahead run.

Rookie star SP Fred Steward did not have his best stuff today, surrendering 6 runs and 10 runners in just 5.1 IP. ST Ross Stevens was great again, throwing 2 scoreless innings and picking up his 6th win. MR Trevor Moore got the hold leading to CL Jon Gauer, despite being shaky again, picked up his 23rd save, striking out his way out of trouble.

The two squads played another 1-run inter-league game today, with the home squad, Oklahoma, taking the game to even the series 1-1.

The offense didn't feature much, SS Jacob Lombard led the team with 2 hits and 2B Zachary Kortz had the team's only RBI, driving in 3B Jason Maddox, who tripled.

SP Marashiro Takiuchi got the QS, but also took the loss. This one is one me. I meant to take out Taki after he pitched 6 innings, but was distracted or something and the first batter of the 7th, Munoz, took him deep, leading to the loss.

The Boars continue to play very well, and take the series finale 5-2, and the series 2-1, over 1st place Oklahoma.

Every member of the Birmingham starting lineup collected a hit in the game, and 5 different players drove in a run. SS Jacob Lombard blasted an early HR to put the Boars up.

SP Javier M. Martinez Jr turned from cold to hot in the span of 3 starts. He has now allowed 4 ER in his last 19 IP. ST Tony Harris allowed his 1st run of the month, and we're at July 25th, on a solo shot. He's been on quite a streak ... a 16 game streak, 26 IP, 1 ER.

Series W-L: 16-12-3
Game W-L: 56-48
+8 Over .500

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A 4-run 6th inning propels the Boars to a series opener win vs Ohio.

5 Bama Boars collected multiple hits, and those same 5 batters each had an RBI. DH Dave Roberson led the Birmingham batters with 3 hits in a team effort win.

SP Mike Melchor was very good, earning another QS, and another win. The bullpen was solid, getting it to CL Jon Gauer, who was shaky yet again, but earned his 24th save.

Consistent pressure with the bats sends the Boars to a 7-2 win, and 2-0 lead in the series.

Once again, 5 different Boar batters collect multiple hits. DH Dave Roberson and CF Anthony Pack Jr led the way with 3 hits apiece and 3B Jason Maddox did the driving in damage, with 2 RBI, including a HR.

SP Jonathan Booska got out of his funk to allow just one run through 6 IP, earning the QS and the win. ST Tony Harris entered the game in the 7th with a 3-run lead and pitched a scoreless inning for his 7th hold. After the Boars tacked on some insurance runs, MR Dustin Chandler finished the game off, pitching the final 2 innings.

The Boars get a 1st inning 2R HR and that's all the runs they would need, but they add on 2 more for a 4-1 win, and series sweep. The Birmingham Boars may be for real.

LF Jackson Chourio got the Boars on the board in the 1st, with a 2R HR. SS Jacob Lombard is warming up, going 2-3 with an RBI. DH Dave Roberson, walked 3 times, and stole 4 bases, earning the "Running Hard" achievement. Note: I've been following the SBA guidelines (or house rules) of runners speed has to be higher than pitcher's hold and stealing ability has to be higher than catcher's arm for SBA. But, Ohio had a low hold P and a low arm catcher, so in a close game, we push our one advantage.

SP Fred Steward pitched well enough, using his defense to limit Ohio to just 1 run on 7 hits and 3 walks through 6 innings. MR Eric Glazman and ST Ross Stevens teamed up to hold the lead for CL Jon Gauer, who earned his 25th save in a solid outing.

Series W-L: 17-12-3
Game W-L: 59-48
+11 Over .500

11 Games over .500, a season high for the surging Bama Boars. Can we get excited yet ... or ... do we keep holding our breath waiting for harsh reality to set in?

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The Boars jumped ahead 1-0, but quickly fell behind 3-1 ... and it stayed that way for the rest of the game.

2B Zachary Kortz had 3 hits for Birmingham, bringing his average up to .282. 3B Jason Maddox had the team's lone RBI, driving in Kortz.

SP Masahiro Takiuchi was very good tonight, allowing just 1 ER in 6 IP, without walking a batter. He earned the QS ... but also the loss. The Stopper combo of Tony Harris and Ross Stevens threw 3 shutout innings, but the Boars could not come back.

The Boars once again jumped out to an early lea, 2-0, but almost immediately fell behind 4-3 before going on to lose 5-2, dropping the first 2 games of the 3 game series.

1B Matt Baker provided 2 hits out of the leadoff spot, and 2B Zachary Kortz had another solid game with a pair of doubles.

SP Javier M Martinez Jr was spotty in his start, unable to pitch out of jams, and gave up4 ER in 5.1 IP, striking out 5. MR Eric Glazman was solid in his 2 innings of relief.

The teams exchanged leads a few times in this one, with Havana tying the game in the 9th, and the Boars walking it off in the bottom of the frame ... winning 4-3, but losing the series 1-2.

RF Nick Calloway, 3B Jason Maddox, and CF Anthony Pack Jr (Hey, he's playing for Texas in the CWS, on tv, right now) all had 2 hits for 'Bama. But, the big hit came from SS Jacob Lombard, who doubled in Jason Maddox inthe bottom of the 9th for the walk off win. It was the lone extra base hit for BIrmingham.

On the mound, SP MIke Melchor was outstanding. Melchie allowed just 1 R in 7 IP before turning the ball over to MR Trevor Moore who threw a clean inning, setting up CL Jon Gauer to come in for the save. Gauer however, surrendered a 2R HR to allow Havana to tie the game. Gauer, luckily, did earn the win due to the Boars walking it off.

Series W-L: 17-13-3
Game W-L: 60-50
+10 Over .500

The last game of the Havana series took us into August, so we'll update the rest of the league and then back to Boars Baseball.

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The best team in the East has a huge lead in the division. The loaded lineup ranks 1st in almost every offensive category, while the pitching staff is Top 10. They're missing All-Star SS Franklin Arias with injury for another month, but he should be back and ready for the postseason.

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Motor City is tied for first with Indiana, in a division where 4 teams are in hot competition for both the division title and the 2 wild card spots. The order of the standings shifts weekly.