[mikev]

July First = 1 Game Back

The Crusaders finished up July going 6-3, good for second place in the MBBA Pacific - 1 game behind Vegas.

The stars of the sim were the pitchers. Again. Led by Enriquez, who made 3 starts, tossed 23.2 innings with a .171 BAA and a 0.85 WHIP, then followed by Reynoso and his 2 starts with a 0.67 WHIP (both wins) and 1.10 ERA, then finished up with Blackley who continues to defy odds and pitch out of his mind - 1-0 in 2 starts, tossing 15.1 innings without allowing an earned run and tossing out a 1.04 WHIP. Oh, and Angel Sandoval was awarded the Pitcher of the Month award for June. 5-0, 6 saves, 0.64 ERA if ya need him. We get Pickup back next sim, too.

Yes, I love my pitching staff.

The offense also has started to show signs of waking up. Antonio Alvarado went off last sim with a .345/.387/.517 line. Robinson Leyva seems to have remembered how to hit, at least for a sim, putting up a .909 OPS with a couple homers and a couple doubles, and even Tommy Aucoin is hitting like he should be with his ratings, going 10 for 30 last sim.

Ruvalcubu will finally return from his injury next week, but we're probably going to limit him to a platoon role so that he can work his way back into the lineup. Combining him with a power bat vs RHP to cover the DH slot may be worthwile, albeit expensive. The team continues to look into other options.

The Next Crusade

7/1 - v. Valencia

7/2 - v. Vancouver
7/3 - v. Vancouver

7/4 - v. Los Angeles
7/5 - v. Los Angeles
7/6 - v. Los Angeles

7/8 - v. Greenville
7/9 - v. Greenville
7/10 - v. Greenville