[mikev]

Crusaders Creep Closer To Wild Card

So, the good news is that it's looking like our deadline pickups are having an immediate positive impact on the Crusaders.

We closed out August with a loss to Long Beach, and then the team went on a rampage: 3 game sweep of Vancouver, 2 of 3 from New York, 2 of 3 from Jackson, and then taking the first game from the hated LA Quakes. Overall 8-2 over our last 10 games. The bad part: LA is also 8-2 over their last 10 and we're still eleven games out. However, the team now sits merely 4 games out of the MBBA wild card, and according to that Pythagoras guy we should be in the WC lead. Hopefully the improved pen will enable us to win some more close games and we can get a little closer to our projected record.

Speaking of deadline pickups, a quick recap of what they've done in thier short time in California:

Turk Lopez



11 games, 4 saves, 2.63 ERA, 13.2 IP, 12H, 4ER, 8K, 2BB

Yup, we got ourselves a closer ickles: In 11 games as a Crusader, Lopez' 3.6 VORP is already higher than the 2.0 he produced over 27 games with Manhattan. SUCK IT NEW YORK! WEST COAST RULZ!1lone!1

Hsin-ta Jin



5 games, 1 W, 2 saves, 0.00 ERA, 7 IP, 2H, 0ER, 6K, 2BB

Jin is going to be the primary reliever bridging the gap between the starters and Turk. His 0.57 WHIP and 4.0 VORP in 5 games says that he'll do a damn good job at that. Sample size what?

Jesus Diaz



5 games, 10IP, 5H, 0ER, 10K, 7BB

Diaz is another guy who's got the endurance to go multiple innings if necessary, and will be the "1a" releiver in the bullpen. His ridiculously high ground ball ratio is what has me excited, as does his 5.7 VORP in 5 games!

On a bit of a sad note, the simmer is an asshole. Henry McHaney suffered a strained tricep and will essentially be out for the remainder of the season. He's projected to be out for 6 weeks, putting his return towards the end of September. I guess he'd be available for the playoffs if we jumped that many teams, but it's definitely a painful blow that's been dealt to the starting rotation. Youngster Matt Albury was called up from Triple-A to replace McHaney, fresh off of tossing a no-hitter in his last start. If not for his own fielding error allowing a baserunner to reach first base, Albury would have tossed a perfect game. He faced 28 batters, struck out 10, and walked none. What better time to bring him up than when he's hotter than he'll probably ever be in his career?

The Next Crusade

8/12 - v. Los Angeles

8/13 - @ Vancouver
8/14 - @ Vancouver

8/15 - @ Long Beach
8/16 - @ Long Beach
8/17 - @ Long Beach

8/19 - @ Manhattan
8/20 - @ Manhattan
8/21 - @ Manhattan