September, 2016

Chapter Five Recap

Players of the Chapter

Mark Buehrle went 5-11 with a 4.84 ERA in 141+ innings. Mark Appel posted a 4.46 ERA in only 38 innings in the minors this season and was shut down with season-ending elbow surgery in June. He was traded earlier this season (along with two others) for Russell Martin. Lucas Sims posted a 4.40 ERA at two minor league levels this season, and was traded straight-up for Justin Grimm. Garin Cecchini was released on Cutdown Day, picked up as a free agent in the draft, released again, picked up as a free agent in midseason, and released yet again. Eugenio Suarez has been one of the biggest surprises in MLB '16, clubbing 20 home runs, albeit with a .247 batting average, .317 OBP, and 146 strikeouts.

Why do I mention Buehrle, Appel, Sims, Cecchini, and Suarez? Because those five players were traded by the Los Altos Undertakers two years ago in exchange for the OL's Hitter of the Chapter, Jose Bautista (.352/.438/.802, 12 HR, 24 RBI, 31.4 RC.) Not only did the Undertakers snag Bautista in that deal, but they got Jonathan Lucroy thrown in "just to make it even." Don't feel bad about that, Greg. I'm the one who gave Anthony Rizzo to Los Altos. Creating this unstoppable dynasty was truly a league-wide effort.

It has been another lost season for the Charlotte Mustangs, but at least their fans have had one cause to celebrate. Miguel Cabrera has had a season worthy of Babe Ruth Award consideration, and Chapter Five was his best performance to date. Cabrera hit .431/.524/.784 on the chapter (all league-leading figures), and led the EL in home runs (11) and runs created (43.6). In fact, he lapped the field in that latter category, as the next-best total was just 27.0! Unfortunately for Charlotte, Cabrera has nearly reached his usage limit for the season and will be severely limited in Chapter Six.

Like the Mustangs, Granite State Lightning fans have had little to celebrate this season, with the exception of their current second-place status. Team ace Sonny Gray (1.71 ERA, .161/.219/.238) gave the team a lift in Chapter Five, and earned our OL Pitcher of the Chapter award. The EL award goes to Kansas Law Dog Jake Arrieta, who is no stranger to this honor. Arrieta posted a 1.08 ERA in Chapter Five, and led the league in all three slash categories: .159/.197/.194.

Top Stories of the Chapter

Story #1: Chicago Takes the Lead

It took five chapters for them to get here, but the Chicago Black Sox finally hold the top spot in the Hrbek Division. They managed this feat despite the fact that they went just 15-13 on the chapter. Fortunately for them, the Cleveland Rocks (13-15) stumbled badly in Chapter Five, allowing the Black Sox to eke through the back door.

Think about it: the Black Sox ended up on top of this division despite losing three out of four to the Rocks! Cleveland not only beat Chicago this past chapter, but won three out of four against Akron, Charlotte, and Big River as well. They lost three out of four to Niagara, but their greatest blunder was getting swept by both Kansas and Buckingham.

Despite the fact that Cleveland has the advantage of facing the dreadful Southern Cal Slyme in Chapter Six, Chicago actually owns the easier schedule the rest of the way. Setting aside the opponents that both teams will face, the rest of Chicago's schedule owns a .405 winning percentage, while Cleveland's own a .458 percentage. Chicago plays 16 games at home, while Cleveland plays just 12. All four head-to-head games, however, will be played at Cleveland.

Since the end of Chapter Two, Chicago holds a NINE game lead over Cleveland. If they can continue that momentum for one more chapter, Chicago will head to the playoffs while Cleveland will be left fighting for the number one draft pick.

Story #2: Los Altos First to 100

The Undertakers' historic season continued in Chapter Five with no hint of mercy whatsoever. Los Altos went 22-6 last chapter, which is nothing new for them. They won 20+ games in every chapter this season except one (a 19-5 performance in Chapter Three that must haunt Jeff Paulson to this day.)

After just five chapters, the Undertakers have already won 105 games this season. To put that into some perspective, the 2015 Undertakers (winners of a league-record 116 games) owned "just" 94 wins at this point last year. The 2008 Slyme, who finished with the same record total, had 93 wins at this point. The 2003 Stamford Zoots, winners of 115 games that season, had 97 wins after five chapters.

If Los Altos goes just 12-16 this chapter, they will break the all-time BDBL record. Anything above 12-16 shatters that record -- and most likely establishes a new record that will never be broken.

Are we having fun yet?

Story #3: Southern Cal First to 100 (Losses)

And then there is the polar opposite of the Undertakers. As we head into the sixth and final chapter, the Southern Cal Slyme already have 102 losses on the season. To put that into perspective, the 2012 Granite State Lightning, who hold the all-time BDBL record for losses with 120, had "just" 100 losses entering the sixth chapter of that season.

The Slyme are within reach of another dubious BDBL record. The 2015 Mississippi Meatballs are currently the only team in league history to finish the season with fewer than 500 runs scored (496). The Slyme are currently on pace to score only 490 runs this season.

Story #4: The Wild OL Wild Card Race

The one and only race worth mentioning in the Ozzie League this season has been the race between the Flagstaff Outlaws and Bear Country Jamboree for the fourth and final playoffs position. This past chapter, Flagstaff finally managed to surpass Bear Country after chasing them throughout the entire season. The Outlaws went an impressive 18-10 last chapter compared to Bear Country's 14-14 performance.

Bear Country holds a huge advantage over Flagstaff in Chapter Six, as they face Salem (57-75) and Las Vegas (48-84), while Flagstaff faces New Milford (87-45) and New York (50-82). Combined, Bear Country's opponents own a winning percentage of just .398 this season while Flagstaff's two opponents are at .519 this season. Bear Country also has the advantage of playing 16 games at home, versus Flagstaff's twelve home games. Flagstaff, however, plays all four head-to-head games at home against Bear Country as well as two of the four against New Milford.

Whoever wins that wild card spot will more than likely face the New Milford Blazers in the Division Series. Bear Country finished the season with a 4-8 record against New Milford. So far this season, Flagstaff's record against the Blazers is 3-5.