[mikev]

One Game Back Of The WC!

Ten days into September, and the Crusaders were unable to make up ground on the first place Quakes over the last sim and actually lost a little bit of ground. However, they did gain a full game on wild-card leading Green Bay, and currently sit 1 game back with a 78-61 record.

The sim included winning 2 of 3 from Baltimore, 2 of 3 from Birmingham, and dropping 2 of 3 in a showdown with Los Angeles

Starting pitcher Masahiko Hayagawa has responded well to being put back into the starting rotation after being benched. Since the beginning of August, Griz has made 7 starts and is 3-0 with an ERA below 3, 43 strikeouts and 15 walks. More importantly, the team has won all 7 of those games, helping to make the Lorenzo Diaz and Henry McHaney injuries hurt just a little bit less. The club is definitely happy to see Hayagawa step up and perform after a very subpar first half.

Speaking of injuries, shortstop Tony Leslie suffered a fractured finger and will be out for a week or two. His backup, Kawanari Takahashi, will be getting the majority of playing time while he's out, and the team will likely call up infielder Hee-seop Yi from AAA Oakland to fill in the reserve spot on the bench. Yi hit .287 playing in AAA for the season, most of it as a first baseman. They will probably call up teenager Jo Sato as well, who has seen time with California in parts of the last several seasons, mostly as an injury replacement.

The next couple series will be big, in that the Crusaders should be able to make up some ground on Green Bay... of course that assumes that Millsy's crappy ass team manages to win a couple against JQ :bag:

The Next Crusade

9/11 - @ Vancouver
9/12 - @ Vancouver
9/13 - @ Vancouver
9/14 - @ Vancouver

9/15 - v. Louisville
9/16 - v. Louisville
9/17 - v. Louisville

9/19 - @ Washington
9/20 - @ Washington
9/21 - @ Washington