A New Kind of Brew

[jaykno14]

7/23: vs Giants (47-48/25-25 Rd) - Yovani Gallardo (7-7, 3.43) vs Pat Misch (7-8, 3.22)
Another game that we did not play very well, and we again find ourselves seven under the even mark. Right now we just need to get out from the little funk we are in. Gallardo lasted six innigns and gave up four runs and ten hits. Luckily Hendrickson and Hinton were able to allow us to save some important arms in a pretty tired bullpen, and tomorrow's start for Hammond might be pretty important.
Outcome: Loss, 1-5 - LP: Gallardo (7-8)

7/24: vs Giants - Zach Jackson (6-6, 3.04) vs Noah Lowry (6-9, 3.88)
Well Jackson pitched very well today, and we were able to come up with just the right amount of offense to win the game. Out of the six guys that got on base, four were able to score, and that is something we have been lacking all season long. Brad Hawpe was 2-4 with a home run and two runs scored. Rickie Weeks also had a big two RBI single in the first inning that gave us an early lead. Jackson was able to last seven innings, allowing four hits and one walk. He struck out ten batters.
Outcome: Win, 4-0 - WP: Jackson (7-6)

7/25: vs Giants - Ben Sheets (8-8, 3.36) vs Jesse Floyd (5-4, 3.50)
Well, the stretch continues and again we could not hit the ball with guys on base. Sheets pitched well enough to win, going seven strong and allowing five hits with three runs and two walks. We left twelve guys on base and again its just the same ole same ole with another low scoring game.
Outcome: Loss, 2-4 - LP: Sheets (8-9)

7/26: @ Reds (50-49/25-21 Hm) - Steve Hammond (5-0, 2.04) vs Homer Bailey (9-4, 2.70)
Hammond pitched well again, going 7.2 innings giving up six hits and three runs. Steik got his first save in good fashion as he struck out the side. Rickie Weeks had two home runs and was 2-4 with three RBIs. Sean Casey also had a big day going 3-4 with a RBI and walk, and Juan Rivera had two runs scored.
Outcome: Win, 6-3 - WP: Hammond (6-0); SV: Steik (1)

7/27: @ Reds - Joba Chamberlain (0-1, 6.55) vs Sam Lecure (6-7, 4.05)
Chamberlain did not pitch bad, as five of the eight runs came off Robert Hinton, but he still struggled out there, so we are going to option him to AAA and call up someone else. The bullpen is basically gone for right now. We havn't had a day off in quite a while. We left eight guys on in another struggle with guys on base, but with the poor pitching it probably didn't matter.
Outcome: Loss, 2-8 - LP: Chamberlain (0-2)

In a very busy month of moves for us, we decided to go ahead and make another move in order to get a starter that can fill the five spot the rest of the season. We acquired Humberto Sanchez and two relief pitchers, who both could be at the top of their relief peers by next season. We traded away catching prospect Angel Salome, starting pitcher Carlos Villanueva, and middle reliever Ben Hendrickson in completing this trade. The toughest guy to part with was Hendrickson, but I think that both of these relievers can fill in his place quite well, to finish off the season. Andrew Kown will report to the major league roster as a middle reliever, and Anthony Claggett will go to AAA and await his call to the big leagues. Sanchez will be the fifth starter

7/28: @ Reds - Yovani Gallardo (7-8, 3.54) vs Zachary Ward (8-6, 3.74)
I am going to admit that this was a very ugly game. Gllardo pitched 7.1 innings allowing three home runs and five runs total to cross the plate. Brad Hawpe and Juan Rivera both hit home runs, Hawpe's a grand slam and Rivera's a three-run shot. Tony Gwynn was 3-5 with a run scored and Erick Aybar was also 2-5 with two runs scored.
Outcome: Win, 11-9 - WP: Gallardo (8-8)

7/29: @ Reds - Zach Jackson (7-6, 2.88) vs Aaron Harang (6-7, 6.18)
Jackson pitched very well, but didn't pitch long enough to get a decision and instead the bullpen came into the game protecting a 1-1 tie game and pitched 2.2 innings of perfect ball with three strikeouts. Juan Rivera hit another home run for his 26th of the year, and Erick Aybar was 2-5 with a run and RBI. Vinny Rottino was 1-2 with two runs and a walk, and Brad Hawpe drew two walks and scored once while going 1-3,
Outcome: Win, 6-1 - WP: Shields (6-3)

Jay's Thoughts: It would have been nice to take two out of three from the Giants, however beggars can't be choosers and I am happy with the second series in this week. We are now two games from moving ahead of the Reds, which is the first step to getting within a shot of the wild card. Moving ahead of the Reds goes hand-in-hand with getting to the .500 mark, as I think that is what it will take to move ahead of the Reds. I am pretty happy with the Sanchez pickup, as he is probably a middle of the rotation starter who will be filling in our five spot while we wait for Chamberlain to develop. I want to say that in the next two days I don't see any more moves happening from our end of the spectrum, but I thought that after the Brad Hawpe deal so you never know. As the end of the month nears, I have noticed that we are continuously playing around the .500 mark every month. As you will remember after the first month I said that that is what we will need to do in order to get to the point that we want to reach, that being the even mark. It would be nice to have a few big runs here in the final two months, but as long as we play consistent baseball, I am going to be happy.

Team Stats
Record: 49-54 (4-3)
GB: 10 of Cubs in Central; 9 of Mets in Wild Card
Batting Average: .260 - 3rd in NL
ERA: 4.21 - 14th in NL
Bowa Record: 35-26

Hitting
Who's Hot: UT Vinny Rottino: 4 G, 16 AB, 7 H, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K, .438/.500/.500
Who's Not: C Jeff Mathis: 6 G, 23 AB, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 3 R, 0 BB, 7 K, .130/.160/.174

Pitching
Who's Hot: SP Zach Jackson: 1 GS, 1-0, 7.0 IP, 4 HA, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K, 0.00 ERA, .167 AVG
Who's Not: SP Yovani Gallardo: 2 GS, 1-1, 13.1 IP, 17 HA, 9 ER, 1 BB, 13 K, 6.08 ERA, .315 AVG

Prospect Watch
AAA Watch
CL Anthony Claggett: 41 G, 5-3, 1 SV, 61.0 IP, 64 HA, 5 HRA, 17 ER, 15 BB, 55 K, 2.51 ERA, .260 AVG
Jay's Thoughts: I don't know if he is going to ever be a closer with us, but he has very good pinpoint control of his pitches and will be a huge force out of the bullpen for us in the future.

LF Cole Garner: 39 G, 131 AB, 48 H, 9 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 19 R, 11 BB, 30 K, .366/.421/.565, 3 SB
Jay's Thoughts: I think Garner could take Jenkins spot next year when he leaves for free agency. He has above average power and contact ratings, and can also hit the gaps very well.

AA Watch
MR Chris Saenz: 35 G, 0-6, 10 SV, 43.2 IP, 34 HA, 3 HRA, 15 ER, 16 BB, 32 K, 3.09 ERA, .221 AVG
Jay's Thoughts: We are very thin in pitching at this level, and while Saenz will very likely make it to AAA by the end of the year, I doubt he ever has much of an impact, if any, at the big league level.

SS Adam Heether: 104 G, 414 AB, 115 H, 17 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 35 RBI, 56 R, 61 BB, 64 K, .278/.370/.379, 1 SB
Jay's Thoughts: I would like to find a place for Heether, as he has a very good bat, but I have a feeling he will end up as trade bait at one point.

A Watch (Brevard County)
SP Dave Johnston: 26 GS, 9-8, 128.1 IP, 148 HA, 3 HRA, 60 ER, 44 BB, 65 K, 4.21 ERA, .280 AVG, 1 CG
Jay's Thoughts: It is apparent that we are pretty thin in pitching basically throughout the orginization because this is another guy that probably won't see the greener side of AA.

LF Hasan Rasheed: 106 G, 377 AB, 137 H, 33 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 74 RBI, 71 R, 58 BB, 78 K, .363/.446/.480, 3 SB
Jay's Thoughts: Rasheed could possibly be a reserve outfielder on the big league team one day, but the scouts say he just doesn't have what it takes to continue this type of success at the big leagues.

A Watch (West Virginia)
SP David Welch: 26 GS, 8-6, 134.2 IP, 116 HA, 10 HRA, 31 ER, 20 BB, 151 K, 2.07 ERA, .224 AVG, 1 CG/SHO
Jay's Thoughts: Welch is a sort of wild card at this level, and will see AA for the months of August and September. He could be at the big league level someday.

3B Ryan Braun: 105 G, 427 AB, 125 H, 26 2B, 3 3B, 6 HR, 46 RBI, 63 R, 50 BB, 89 K, .293/.369/.410, 1 SB
Jay's Thoughts: This Ryan Braun isn't anywhere near the talent that the real life Ryan Braun is, and he will probably be at the bigs someday, but it is yet to be determined whether he will have an impact.

R Watch (Arizona)
MR Bryce Cox: 13 G, 2-0, 2 SV, 17.1 IP, 11 HA, 2 R, 6 BB, 19 K, 0.00 ERA, .177 AVG
Jay's Thoughts: Cox has some pretty good potential, and in a few years could be a big part in the bullpen that we have, and we all know that that is an important part of the team .

LF Kyler Burke: 26 G, 30 AB, 11 H, 4 2B, 3 RBI, 7 R, 4 BB, 6 K, .367/.441/.500, 2 SB
Jay's Thoughts: He hasn't played a whole lot, something that kind of bothers me, but this guy has some very good potential and will be a force at Milwaukee at some point.

R Watch (Helena)
SP Mark James: 8 GS, 2-0, 47.1 IP, 56 HA, 2 HRA, 18 ER, 6 BB, 24 K, 3.42 ERA, .284 AVG
Jay's Thoughts: This is another example of the lack of depth we have at starting pitching in our orginization. I think that I now know what we are going to need in future drafts.

2B Rintar Sakai: 37 G, 150 AB, 59 H, 8 2B, 1 3B, 9 RBI, 23 R, 22 BB, 21 K, .393/.477/.460, 2 SB
Jay's Thoughs: Sakai has some pretty good potential, and could be a part of the major league team someday.

Around the League
AL Player of the Week: 3B Alex Gordon (KCA): 15-27, .556 AVG, 6 RBI, 10 R, 2x
NL Player of the Week: 1B Joey Votto (CIN): .481 AVG, 13-27, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 6 R, 2x

[jaykno14]

July 2007

TEAM STATS
Information
Overall Record: 49-56, 11 GB
Position in Division: 5th place
Position in Wild Card: 9th place, 8 GB
Home Record: 29-24
Road Record: 20-32
Xtra's Record: 4-5
One Run Games: 9-18
Record vs Lefties: 11-15
Record vs Righties: 38-41
Last 10 Games: 4-6
July Record: 11-13
Bowa Record: 35-28

Batting
Batting Average: .260 - 3rd in NL
On-Base Percentage: .324 - 2nd in NL
Slugging Percentage: .386 - 7th in NL
OPS: .711 - 6th in NL
Runs Scored: 473 - 3rd in NL
Hits: 932 - 5th in NL
Extra-Base Hits: 273 - tied for 6th in NL
Home Runs: 81 - 10th in NL
BBs: 317 - 3rd in NL
Strikeouts: 702 - 1st in NL
Stolen Bases: 113 - 2nd in NL

Pitching
ERA: 4.27 - 15th in NL
Starters ERA: 3.67 - 9th in NL
Bullpen ERA: 5.83 - 16th in NL
Runs Allowed: 484 - 15th in NL
Hits Allowed: 973 - 16th in NL
Opponent AVG: .268 - 16th in NL
BABIP: .324 - 16th in NL
Home Runs Allowed: 107 - 16th in NL
BBs: 286 - 6th in NL
Strikeouts: 850 - 7th in NL

Hitting Report

Name              G   AB  R  H   2B 3B HR RBI TB  BB K  SB CS AVG  OBP  SLG  OPS 
Juan Rivera LF    100 406 67 118 20 3  26 90  222 27 65  1  1 .291 .332 .547 .879 
Erick Aybar SS    102 405 62 125 34 3   6 44  183 28 54  7  8 .309 .363 .452 .815 
Tony Gwynn CF      88 355 56 116 11 3   2 43  139 40 56 48 13 .327 .396 .392 .788 
Rickie Weeks 2B    94 352 56  89 16 2  16 46  157 55 85 21 13 .253 .363 .446 .809 
Geoff Jenkins RF   81 252 32  60  8 0   7 32   89 28 72  0  2 .238 .327 .353 .680 
Corey Hart RF      72 213 26  52 12 3   4 35   82  9 53 18  5 .244 .276 .385 .661 
Jeff Mathis C      56 212 24  53 13 1   2 22   74 14 50  0  0 .250 .299 .349 .648 
Vinny Rottino 3B   71 212 26  55 12 0   1 20   70 24 43  0  1 .259 .339 .330 .669 
Prince Fielder 1B  49 179 15  35  6 1   2 13   49 27 40  1  1 .196 .305 .274 .579 
Placido Polanco 3B 52 167 22  43 10 1   3 28   64 10 15  0  2 .257 .304 .383 .687 
Sean Casey 1B      41 144 22  46 10 0   4 13   68  9 12  1  0 .319 .365 .472 .838 
Chone Figgins 2B   63 138 21  40  4 2   2 16   54 10 17 15  5 .290 .333 .391 .725 
Bengie Molina C    35 111  9  17  4 0   1  8   24  4 19  0  1 .153 .183 .216 .399 
Brad Hawpe RF      23  91 10  27  5 0   4 14   44 13 22  0  0 .297 .377 .484 .861

Rivera continues to hit very well and we continue to hit about what we have done all season. We could probably use some more run scoring though, as our hitting with runners in scoring position hasn't been very good. If Weeks could get his average to about .270-.280 he could be an all-star second basemen, as it appears the power might have arrived. Hart really struggled this month, as all of his hard hits were right at someone I noticed. Aybar may very well be the most consistent true hitter (along with Gwynn) on the team as he finds ways to create runs every time he is up to bat. Sean Casey has proved to be reliable at first base since Fielder has gone down, and Brad Hawpe really boosted our offense both average wise, and power wise as I think he will probably end up hitting around 12-15 home runs for us.

Batter of the Month: SS Erick Aybar: 24 G, 98 AB, 32 H, 7 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 22 R, 7 BB, 9 K, .327/.374/.541, 1 SB
Struggler of the Month: RF Corey Hart: 13 G, 39 AB, 3 H, 1 2B, 1 3B, 3 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 9 K, .077/.136/.154, 3 SB

Pitching Report

 
Name                 W L  SV ERA  G  GS IP    HA  R  ER HR BB K   WHIP OAVG BABIP 
Andrew Kown MR       0  0  0 0.00  1  0   0.0   1  0  0  0  1   0 0.00 1.000 1.000 
Steven Hammond SP    6  0  0 2.20 16 16  98.0  87 26 24  9 20 104 1.09  .237  .307 
Ricky Steik CL       0  1  1 2.38 14  0  11.1   9  3  3  1  4  13 1.15  .205  .267 
Zach Jackson SP      7  6  0 2.81 21 21 134.2 127 48 42  7 37 115 1.22  .246  .304 
Scot Shields MR      6  3  1 2.94 32  0  33.2  34 14 11  3 14  33 1.43  .258  .323 
Yovani Gallardo SP   8  8  0 3.67 21 21 144.2 125 63 59 17 26 171 1.04  .231  .307 
Ben Sheets SP        8 10  0 3.70 21 21 143.1 134 63 59 14 39 110 1.21  .248  .288 
Carlos Villanueva MR 4  7  0 4.38 15 15  88.1 106 49 43 11 17  54 1.39  .299  .328 
Mike Gonzalez MR     2  0  0 4.70 19  0  30.2  33 17 16  2 19  33 1.70  .273  .360 
Ben Hendrickson SP   2  1  0 5.59 21  0  37.0  39 23 23  3 14  48 1.43  .269  .383 
Robert Hinton MR     0  2  0 5.64 23  0  30.1  33 21 19  8  7  22 1.32  .273  .275 
Joba Chamberlain SP  0  2  0 5.71  3  3  17.1  20 12 11  2  7  15 1.56  .290  .346 
Derrick Turnbow MR   0  4  2 5.89 19  0  18.1  27 12 12  3 12  17 2.13  .351  .421 
William Vazquez MR   2  3 20 6.66 32  0  25.2  38 20 19  6  7  23 1.75  .355  .410 
Jeff Gogal MR        2  0  0 7.11 17  0  12.2  18 12 10  2  7  17 1.97  .333  .457

We regressed a bit in the pitching spectrum of things, and anymore I don't know what to do. My scouts tell me that this should be one of the best bullpens in the league, but we continue to blow games. I am hoping it might be because of the youth we have in Vazquez, Gogal, Hinton, Gallardo, Jackson, and Steik. Gogal supposedly has the best talent of any of these guys, and he has the worst stats thus far. I have regressed to just using him against lefties, and then using Vazquez against right handed batters. Steve Hammond has just continued to impress me beyond belief, and man am I glad that I didn't use him as trade bait, which is something I considered doing. He very well may be the ace on the staff right now, and every time we go out there, he puts us in position to win the game (although when the bullpen doesn't hold it down, that doesn't show). He could easily be 8-0 right now.

Pitcher of the Month: SP Steve Hammond: 5 GS, 2-0, 31.0 IP, 24 HA, 4 HRA, 10 ER, 9 BB, 34 K, 2.90 ERA, .211 AVG
Struggler of the Month: MR William Vazquez: 8 G, 1-1, 4 SV, 2 BS, 5.2 IP, 12 HA, 2 HRA, 8 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 12.71 ERA, .480 AVG

July Awards
AL Batter of the Month: 3B Alex Rodriguez, NYA (2x)
July: .337/.409/.592, 7 HR, 22 RBI, 15 R

AL Pitcher of the Month: SP Adam Loewen, BAL (2x)
July: 5 GS, 4-1, 1.62 ERA, 39.0 IP, 25 HA, .182 AVG

AL Rookie of the Month: SS Chris Gutierrez, TOR (1x)
July: .327/.377/.429, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 13 R

NL Batter of the Month: RF Carlos Quentin, ARI (1x)
July: .367/.441/.592, 2 HR, 28 RBI, 20 R

NL Pitcher of the Month: SP Jason Hirsh, HOU (1x)
July: 6 GS, 5-0, 38.2 IP, 20 HA, .150 AVG

NL Rookie of the Month: 1B Chase Headley, SDN (1x)
July: .354/.376/.552, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 18 R, 2 SB

League Standings

 
American League Standings  
Eastern Division  
Team                    W  L  PCT  GB   Pyt.Rec Diff Home  Away  XInn 1Run  M# Streak Last10 
Baltimore Orioles       64 40 .615 -    61-43   3    35-16 29-24 2-5  21-11 51 W2     7-3 
Toronto Blue Jays       57 48 .543 7.5  55-50   2    33-18 24-30 6-6  24-17    W1     5-5 
Boston Red Sox          54 51 .514 10.5 50-55   4    31-23 23-28 5-5  13-13    W2     6-4 
New York (A) Yankees    53 52 .505 11.5 53-52   0    29-24 24-28 5-7  18-22    L2     5-5 
Tampa Bay Devil Rays    43 61 .413 21.0 46-58   -3   23-29 20-32 4-5  14-17    L2     2-8 
 
Central Division  
Team                    W  L  PCT  GB   Pyt.Rec Diff Home  Away  XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 
Minnesota Twins         62 41 .602 -    63-40   -1   26-26 36-15 7-2  18-9 52 W1     5-5 
Cleveland Indians       57 49 .538 6.5  53-53   4    33-24 24-25 12-3 24-13   L1     6-4 
Chicago (A) White Sox   50 55 .476 13.0 50-55   0    26-26 24-29 4-5  14-15   L1     3-7 
Detroit Tigers          48 57 .457 15.0 57-48   -9   19-30 29-27 4-4  15-24   L4     4-6 
Kansas City Royals      42 62 .404 20.5 43-61   -1   19-35 23-27 5-4  18-20   W1     5-5 
 
Western Division  
Team                    W  L  PCT  GB   Pyt.Rec Diff Home  Away  XInn 1Run  M# Streak Last10 
Texas Rangers           62 43 .590 -    58-47   4    29-23 33-20 9-6  20-16 57 L1     7-3 
Los Angeles (A) Angels  59 44 .573 2.0  61-42   -2   29-21 30-23 7-4  18-19    W2     7-3  
Seattle Mariners        46 58 .442 15.5 49-55   -3   22-30 24-28 2-6  15-21    L4     1-9 
Oakland Athletics       41 63 .394 20.5 38-66   3    23-29 18-34 5-6  19-18    W4     7-3 

National League Standings  
Eastern Division  
Team                    W  L  PCT  GB   Pyt.Rec Diff Home  Away  XInn 1Run  M# Streak Last10 
Philadelphia Phillies   60 43 .583 -    61-42   -1   33-18 27-25 3-5  18-18 57 L1     6-4 
New York (N) Mets       59 46 .562 2.0  58-47   1    34-19 25-27 2-8  17-19    L1     6-4 
Atlanta Braves          56 49 .533 5.0  50-55   6    29-24 27-25 7-2  21-9     L1     4-6 
Florida Marlins         52 53 .495 9.0  58-47   -6   25-27 27-26 5-5  12-15    L1     6-4 
Washington Nationals    45 59 .433 15.5 42-62   3    24-29 21-30 2-5  13-10    W1     5-5 
 
Central Division  
Team                    W  L  PCT  GB   Pyt.Rec Diff Home  Away  XInn 1Run  M# Streak Last10 
Chicago (N) Cubs        59 44 .573 -    50-53   9    29-22 30-22 4-7  25-12 56 W1     6-4 
St. Louis Cardinals     55 48 .534 4.0  55-48   0    31-19 24-29 4-6  19-19    W2     4-6 
Cincinnati Reds         52 53 .495 8.0  52-53   0    27-25 25-28 6-6  14-17    L1     3-7 
Houston Astros          49 55 .471 10.5 52-52   -3   33-19 16-36 6-5  16-27    W2     6-4 
Milwaukee Brewers       49 56 .467 11.0 51-54   -2   29-24 20-32 4-5  9-18     L2     4-6 
Pittsburgh Pirates      39 65 .375 20.5 38-66   1    21-33 18-32 5-3  16-9     W1     4-6 
 
Western Division  
Team                    W  L  PCT  GB   Pyt.Rec Diff Home  Away  XInn 1Run  M# Streak Last10 
Arizona Diamondbacks    57 49 .538 -    57-49   0    30-23 27-26 5-5  17-16 55 W1     6-4 
San Francisco Giants    53 51 .510 3.0  56-48   -3   26-25 27-26 2-3  14-11    W1     6-4 
San Diego Padres        52 51 .505 3.5  53-50   -1   25-27 27-24 4-9  11-17    L2     5-5 
Colorado Rockies        46 58 .442 10.0 50-54   -4   23-28 23-30 7-3  13-17    W1     4-6 
Los Angeles (N) Dodgers 44 61 .419 12.5 48-57   -4   21-32 23-29 5-3  9-26     L1     4-6

Brewers Appearances on National League Leaderboards
CF Tony Gwynn
Batting Average: .327 - 3rd Place
On Base Percentage: .396 - 4th Place
Stolen Bases: 48 - 1st Place
Batting Average (among Rookies): 1st Place
On Base Percentage (among Rookies): 1st Place
VORP (among Rookies): 33.4 - 1st Place
Hits (among Rookies): 116 - 3rd Place
Walks (among Rookies): 40 - 2nd Place

RF Juan Rivera
Slugging Percentage: .547 - 1st Place
OPS: .879 - 4th Place
Home Runs: 26 - 2nd Place
Runs Batted In: 90 - 1st Place
Isolated Power: .256 - 2nd Place
Extra Base Hits: 49 - 4th Place
Total Bases: 222 - 1st Place

SS Erick Aybar
Hits: 125 - 7th Place
Doubles: 34 - 1st Place

SP Ben Sheets
Innings Pitched: 143.1 - 6th Place

MR William Vazquez
Saves: 21 - 3rd Place

SP Yovani Gallardo
Innings Pitched: 144.2 - 5th Place
BB's/9 IP: 1.62 - 7th Place
Strikeouts: 171 - 2nd Place
K's/9 IP: 10.64 - 5th Place
K's/BB: 6.58 - 3rd Place

Scot Shields
Wins (amond Relievers): 7 - 5th Place

Steve Hammond
VORP (amond Rookies): 28.8 - 2nd Place
Strikeouts (among Rookies): 104 - 7th Place

[jaykno14]

Anything that anyone else sees that I could improve? It has been pretty quiet in this thread for a while, although it says that I still got the viewers so anyone notice anything that could be changed to improve the storyline/dynasty?

[jaykno14]

7/30: @ Cardinals (53-48/29-19 Hm) - Ben Sheets (8-9, 3.38) vs Blake Hawksworth (3-2, 3.26)
Although Sheets pitched pretty poorly in this game, I doubt it would have mattered because we left 12 guys on base in another struggle offensively. Tony Gwynn was 2-4 with a RBI and a stolen base, and Sean Casey went 3-4 but was left on every time he got on.
Outcome: Loss, 2-7 - LP: Sheets (8-10)

7/31: @ Cardinals - Steve Hammond (6-0, 2.16) vs Jeff Suppan (2-3, 3.86)
Well another game that the bullpen blew. There isn't really much to say in this one, other than we had a 6-2 lead going into the bottom of the eighth and our bullpen STILL found a way to blow it. This is getting sickening.
Outcome: Loss, 6-7 - LP: Steik (0-1), BS: (1)

8/01: @ Cardinals - Humberto Sanchez (7-5, 3.05) vs Anthony Reyes (1-5, 4.62)
Sanchez had one bad inning in which they tagged him for five runs, but up until that point he had been dominating the Cardinals. We again couldn't figure out really how to hit the ball, and the bullpen did not do a good job of keeping the game close. We also had two errors in the field.
Outcome: Loss, 3-8 - LP: Sanchez (7-6)

8/02: OFF

8/03: vs Mets (60-46/25-27 Rd) - Yovani Gallardo (8-8, 3.67) vs Willie Collazo (11-5, 3.18)
Gallardo pitched like an ace tonight, going 7.2 innings, allowing four hits, and striking out 11. Gogal and Steik got the last four outs, and it was nice to see our bullpen step up and close out a game. Juan Rivera had a huge two run home run in the first inning, but that was all the offense we had, and we need to be able to add on runs as the game moves along or else we might be in trouble.
Outcome: Win, 2-0 - WP: Gallardo (9-8); SV: Steik (2)

8/04: vs Mets - Zach Jackson (7-6, 2.81) vs Michael Devaney (5-8, 3.03)
I am going to keep in mind that Jackson is basically unhittable at home. Here are his stats:

12 GS, 8-1, 1.18 ERA, 83.2 IP, 53 HA, 11 ER, 1 HRA, 15 BB, 76 K

He took a no-hitter into the seventh today, going eight strong innings allowing two hits and a walk, while striking out six. We had a monster day hitting, Juan Rivera was 3-5 with two runs and two RBIs, Brad Hawpe was 1-3 with two runs, a home run, and two walks. Rickie Weeks was 0-2, but had three walks and scored twice with two stolen bases. Erick Aybar also had a good day going 2-5 with two runs scored.
Outcome: Win, 10-0 - WP: Jackson (8-6)

8/05: vs Mets - Ben Sheets (8-10, 3.70) vs Mike Pelfrey (12-4, 2.79)
Well this was a huge win, I am going to admit. Mike Pelfrey has just got some nasty ratings that my scout rated him at, yet Ben Sheets hit a two-run jack off him to get us on the board in the third. The last two games we have found ways to really work the starting pitcher first time through the order, then the second time we swing away constantly and have done well. Sheets line was six innings, five hits, two runs, two walks, and he allowed one home run. Juan Rivera hit a three run home run, and Erick Aybar had another 2-5 day with a run scored. Sean Casey also hit a home run and was 2-4 with two runs and two RBIs.
Outcome: Win, 9-2 - WP: Sheets (9-10)

Jay's Thoughts: Well this was a bitter sweet week, but I am going to be honest I'd rather start and end the week the way we did this week, rather than the other way around. We were able to gain three games on the hot wild card leading team, which is huge in my opinion. I really wish that we could have at least got one out of the St. Louis series. I found that if our hitters can work the count early, maybe take a strike befor they begin to swing away, the opposing pitcher's pitch count rapidly increases, which then leads to big innings the second time around. I really like what I have in Steve Hammond, Yovani Gallardo, and Zach Jackson. These are three guys that I am confident whenever they go out, we have a pretty good shot of winning. As long as the bullpen usually holds up, which is always questionable, we could have a pretty good record these last two months. In the next week, we play games against teams that are ahead of us, in the Phillies and the Rockies, and it would be nice to get four out of these esix games and get within three of .500.

Team Stats
Record: 52-57 (3-3)
GB: 9.5 of Cubs in Central; 8 of Mets in Wild Card
Batting Average: .261 - 3rd in NL
ERA: 4.21 - 15th in NL
Bowa Record: 38-29

Hitting
Who's Hot: LF Juan Rivera: 6 G, 27 AB, 10 H, 1 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 5 R, 1 BB, 3 K, .370/.393/.630
Who's Not: 2B Rickie Weeks: 5 G, 18 AB, 2 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3 R, 4 BB, 4 K, .111/.304/.278, 4 SB

Pitching
Who's Hot: SP Zach Jackson: 2 GS, 1-0, 14.1 IP, 8 HA, 0 HRA, 1 ER, 3 BB, 14 K, 0.63 ERA, .154 AVG
Who's Not: SP Ben Sheets: 1 GS, 0-1, 5.0 IP, 9 HA, 7 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 12.60 ERA, .375 AVG

League Standings

 
American League Standings  
Eastern Division  
Team                    W  L  PCT  GB   Pyt.Rec Diff Home  Away  XInn 1Run  M# Streak Last10 
Baltimore Orioles       64 44 .593 -    62-46   2    35-17 29-27 2-5  21-12 50 L4     5-5 
Toronto Blue Jays       60 49 .550 4.5  58-51   2    33-18 27-31 6-6  24-18    W1     5-5 
Boston Red Sox          57 52 .523 7.5  53-56   4    34-23 23-29 5-5  14-13    W3     5-5 
New York (A) Yankees    57 52 .523 7.5  56-53   1    32-24 25-28 6-7  18-22    W4     6-4 
Tampa Bay Devil Rays    45 63 .417 19.0 47-61   -2   25-31 20-32 4-5  15-17    L1     3-7 
 
Central Division  
Team                    W  L  PCT  GB   Pyt.Rec Diff Home  Away  XInn 1Run  M# Streak Last10 
Minnesota Twins         66 42 .611 -    67-41   -1   29-27 37-15 7-2  18-10 45 L1     8-2 
Cleveland Indians       58 52 .527 9.0  55-55   3    34-27 24-25 12-4 24-13    L2     6-4 
Chicago (A) White Sox   50 59 .459 16.5 50-59   0    26-27 24-32 4-6  14-15    L5     3-7 
Detroit Tigers          50 59 .459 16.5 60-49   -10  19-30 31-29 4-4  16-25    L1     4-6 
Kansas City Royals      43 66 .394 23.5 44-65   -1   19-36 24-30 5-4  19-20    W1     3-7  
 
Western Division  
Team                    W  L  PCT  GB   Pyt.Rec Diff Home  Away  XInn 1Run  M# Streak Last10 
Texas Rangers           65 44 .596 -    61-48   4    29-23 36-21 10-6 20-16 52 W2     7-3 
Los Angeles (A) Angels  62 46 .574 2.5  64-44   -2   30-21 32-25 7-5  19-20    L2     6-4 
Seattle Mariners        48 60 .444 16.5 50-58   -2   24-32 24-28 3-6  17-21    W1     3-7 
Oakland Athletics       43 66 .394 22.0 41-68   2    25-31 18-35 5-6  19-20    W2     6-4 
 

National League Standings  
Eastern Division  
Team                    W  L  PCT  GB   Pyt.Rec Diff Home  Away  XInn 1Run  M# Streak Last10 
Philadelphia Phillies   64 44 .593 -    64-44   0    34-18 30-26 3-5  19-18 50 W1     7-3 
New York (N) Mets       60 49 .550 4.5  58-51   2    35-19 25-30 2-8  17-19    L3     5-5 
Atlanta Braves          57 52 .523 7.5  50-59   7    30-26 27-26 7-2  22-9     W1     3-7 
Florida Marlins         55 54 .505 9.5  61-48   -6   28-27 27-27 5-5  13-15    W3     6-4 
Washington Nationals    48 60 .444 16.0 45-63   3    27-29 21-31 2-5  14-10    W3     6-4 
 
Central Division  
Team                    W  L  PCT  GB   Pyt.Rec Diff Home  Away  XInn 1Run  M# Streak Last10 
Chicago (N) Cubs        61 47 .565 -    53-55   8    30-25 31-22 4-7  25-13 52 L1     6-4 
St. Louis Cardinals     57 50 .533 3.5  57-50   0    32-19 25-31 4-7  19-20    L1     4-6 
Cincinnati Reds         52 57 .477 9.5  52-57   0    27-26 25-31 6-6  14-18    L5     2-8 
Milwaukee Brewers       52 57 .477 9.5  55-54   -3   32-24 20-33 4-5  9-18     W3     6-4 
Houston Astros          51 57 .472 10.0 55-53   -4   33-20 18-37 6-5  16-29    L1     6-4 
Pittsburgh Pirates      41 67 .380 20.0 39-69   2    23-34 18-33 6-3  17-9     W1     4-6 
 
Western Division  
Team                    W  L  PCT  GB   Pyt.Rec Diff Home  Away  XInn 1Run  M# Streak Last10 
Arizona Diamondbacks    61 49 .555 -    61-49   0    31-23 30-26 5-5  17-16 48 W5     7-3 
San Francisco Giants    54 54 .500 6.0  58-50   -4   27-25 27-29 2-3  14-12    L3     5-5 
San Diego Padres        53 54 .495 6.5  53-54   0    25-30 28-24 4-9  12-17    L3     4-6 
Colorado Rockies        47 61 .435 13.0 51-57   -4   24-28 23-33 7-3  13-18    L3     3-7 
Los Angeles (N) Dodgers 47 62 .431 13.5 51-58   -4   24-32 23-30 5-3  10-26    W3     6-4

Around the League
AL Player of the Week: C Cole Armstrong (CHA): 10-22, .455 AVG, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R, 1x
NL Player of the Week: 1B Ryan Howard (PHI): 9-27, .333 AVG, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 8 R, 5x

[RoyalsBlue]

IMHO, don't change a thing Jaykno. I know exactly what you mean about your thread being quiet, as mine is also.

I was blown away with Jackson's home stats. Those were ridiculous. And it was too bad about that middle game with the Redbirds, you really should have had a 4-2 week.

Great job bringing the Brewers back up the division. I think you could possibly get the wild card, maybe the division, if your pitching continues to improve. More importantly, if Sheets stops his Jekyll & Hyde routine.

KUTGW!