[mikev]

Crusaders Eye Postseason; September Callups

So, September is here. The Crusaders ended the month on a 7-3 run, and currently at 88-44 have a 10 game lead over the second place Quakes. They have the third best record in the GUBA, behind Green Bay in the MBBA and Johannesburg in the FIBB.

As expected, Carlos Garza has eclipsed the 30 homer/100 RBI plateau, the first time in his career that he's been a 30/100 hitter. Also as expected, the team has shown no desire to sign him to the 16 million dollar per season extension that he is asking for. Too bad, really, because he's been a quality bat after his horrible start last season. Luckily, Edgar Herrera (.321/.379.565 in 131 ABs) seems to have figured it out, and seems like he'll be more than capable of assuming the starting RF role next year.

Speaking of milestones, Jorge Enriquez notched his 20th win of the season, his second straight 20 win campaign. Along with his 2.30 ERA, 206:40 strikeout to walk ratio, and 1.01 WHIP, Enriquez is having a Golden Arm caliber season, though it's likely that Birmingham's Chris Stevenson will beat out Enriquez in the voting.

In contract news, veteran releiver Jesus Diaz resigned at approximately a 50% discount compared to this year's 5M salary. The 36 year old who has been paid over a million dollars per inning pitched this season will make 4.7M over the next 2 seasons, a nice and affordable contract to help round out one of the elite bullpens in the entire league.

Hey, speaking of September, it's expanded roster time! As usual, the Crusaders will probably only call up a few players, mostly as defensive replacements or guys to give starters a couple extra days off as we move toward the postseason. The most likely additions:

SP Lindsay Blackley - The Australian right hander fared well enough in his three spot starts to earn himself another few starts in September. At only 21, he may be getting his big league callup just a bit early, but since we already used an option year on him we might as well get him in there.

CF Augusto Ortiz - SISA doesn't like him. He's young. He'll be lucky to hit a home run in the big leauges. Still, it's hard to argue with a .353 average with 27 doubles in 462 at bats. The fact that he's an elite defensive CF helps. The 2007 15th round draft pick (!) has clearly stepped up his game in a big way, and just appearing in a big league game would be quite the accomplishment for him.

The Next Crusade

9/1 - @ Buffalo

9/2 - v. Birmingham
9/3 - v. Birmingham
9/4 - v. Birmingham

9/5 - @ Valencia
9/6 - @ Valencia
9/7 - @ Valencia

9/8 - @ Los Angeles
9/9 - @ Los Angeles
9/10 - @ Los Angeles