Tag: Brian Downing

TWIWBL 7.1: Series VI Notes – Bill James Division

On June 5, 2021

{With the day off on April 25th, it was a time of roster moves and lineup and pitching adjustments. As such, there are a few more notes for each team than usual.}

#Detroit Wolverines

Bob Bailey had four hits including a HR and Hank Greenberg added a grand slam, powering the Wolverines over the New York Gothams.

To clear room for Hal Newhouser‘s return from a rehab stint in AAA, Long Tom Hughes was demoted. Justin Verlander was moved into the starting rotation as well, despite some recent struggles.

Ty Cobb‘s 397/453/655 line is demanding more playing time, despite a crowded Detroit lineup.

#Los Angeles Angels

RP Larry Anderson, highly effective in 6 appearances, will miss a couple months with a sprained ankle. Armando Benitez was recalled from AAA to take his roster spot.

Doug Rader had two HRs including a grand slam to lead Los Angeles to a 10-inning 11-6 win over Ottawa. Rader drove in 7 in the game on 3 hits.

The Angels left a dozen runners on base in the final game of their series with Ottawa, losing 5-1 despite 12 hits, 11 of which were singles.

The C platoon of Brian Downing and Jim Stephens is really not working out, but options aren’t terribly available. OF Rusty Staub‘s 151/252/237 start did earn him a trip to AAA Las Vegas with 3B Tim Wallach joining the Angels.

#Memphis Red Sox

The Red Sox turned five double-plays in the final game of their series with Homestead, en route to a 6-2 victory. 2B Dustin Pedroia was part of each one, 3B Wade Boggs had 4 hits, and Ted Williams and Bob Brenly both went deep in support of Dean Chance, who moved to 4-1 on the year.

Tim Wakefield‘s consistent bullpen performances have warranted his move into Memphis’ starting rotation.

OF Freddie Lynn and C Billy Bryan are destroying AAA pitching, but there is no room for them in Memphis as of yet.

#New York Gothams

Both C Buster Posey‘s 14-game and OF Willie Mays‘ 12-game hitting streaks came to an end in the same contest, but–perhaps surprisingly given that–it was a dramatic victory for the Gothams, 12-8 over Detroit in 10 innings. New York scored 4 runs in the top of the 9th to tie it and 4 more in the 10th to win. Johnny Callison had 3 hits, scored 4 times, and drove in 5 only to be outdone by Pinky Higgins who had 6 RBIs on his 3 hits.

RP Marcel Lachemann was sent to AAA to clear room for Carson Smith‘s return from a rehab assignment. SS Art Fletcher was released–he refused to go to AAA, despite hitting 224/250/318–setting up a platoon between Eugenio Suarez and the newly-recalled Brandon Crawford.

#Wandering House of David

When Jerry Mumphrey was sent up to pinch-hit for Sammy Sosa with the bases loaded, the House of David were hoping for a hit to get them back in the ballgame. Instead, Mumphrey wrapped Cory Gearrin‘s pitch around the right field foul pole for a grand slam, and a 6-4 lead in the bottom of the 9th against Cleveland. The lead held, and the House of David emerged victorious.

IF Frank Grant and C Gabby Hartnett are both struggling, but the House of David wants to wait before making any moves. 3B Jung Ho Kang was promoted to take the place of the recently injured George Gore.

Previewing Series V – Wandering House of David @ Los Angeles Angels

By mknn

On May 17, 2021

In Series Previews

For Series V, we’ll take a closer look at the Wandering House of David‘s four game road trip to the left coast to face the Los Angeles Angels in a matchup of the top two teams in the Bill James Division. At 12-6, The House of David, fresh off a four game sweep in Series IV, lead the Angels, who sit at .500 with nine wins and nine losses by three games.

The matchups of the series are (House of David SP first) Jack W. Taylor (2-0, 3.54 ERA) v. Pud Galvin (0-1, 4.34); Frank Sullivan (2-1, 5.31) v. Harry Howell (1-1, 3.18); CC Sabathia (2-2, 4.23) v. Doc Gooden (1-2, 5.92); and Fergie Jenkins (2-1, 4.50) v. Gerrit Cole (2-1, 3.90).

As those numbers suggest, the SP for each of these teams has been solid, but not spectacular. The same cannot be said of the House of David’s bullpen, which leads the WBL with a 1.36 ERA. Bruce Sutter has yet to give up a run, and Rollie Fingers, Joakim Soria, Dick Tidrow, and Tom Niedenfuer have each allowed only a single earned run on the season. Niedenfuer leads the team with three saves, with Sutter adding two.

The Angels’ bullpen has been less spectacular but still quite solid, led by Larry Anderson–yet to give up a run–and Joe Nathan‘s 2 saves. Chuck Finley looks to get a shot at starting soon, giving up only 2 runs in over 9 IP with 15 strikeouts.

Kal Daniels has been the best hitter for the Angels in the early going, slashing a 348/474/652 line. Don Buford (308/410/415) and Doug Rader (289/333/461 with 16 RBIs) have been their other key producers, with both Mike Trout and Derrek Lee mired in significant slumps. Lee, Rusty Staub, and Brian Downing all have OPS below .600, meaning they are likely to see a trip to AAA if they don’t pick up the pace soon.

For the House of David, it’s all been about reigning WBL Player of the Week Pete Browning, who is hitting at a 467/484/717 clip to go with 15 runs scored and 9 SBs. George Stone has been their second best hitter at 373/429/627, but the whole offense has been solid. Five players have three HRs each: Browning, Stone, Ryne Sandberg, Mark McGwire, and Ernie Banks. At the other end, Ron Santo, Sammy Sosa, and Frank Grant have all struggled mightily out of the gate, with BAs hovering around .200 and OPS under .600 each.

TWIWBL 4.2: A Day Off!

By mknn

On October 1, 2020

In TWIWBL

Wednesday, April 12th is an off-day throughout the league, allowing all 20 teams to review their rosters, lineups, and pitching staffs. Some things changed (actually, lots of things changed, here are some notable ones).

#Chicago American Giants

Lee Meadows‘ horrific start to the season–32 hits in 12 innings leading to an 0-3 record and a 16.05 ERA has cost Meadows his spot in the rotation. He’ll be replaced by Ed Walsh, and Meadows may find himself at AAA if he can’t contribute from the bullpen.

#Houston Colt 45s

Ice Box Chamberlain is trying to pitch himself out of the rotation, allowing 26 hits in 15 IP with an ERA of 8.80. The problem is neither of the options on the roster–Scott Erickson (11.42 ERA) and Dock Ellis (15.43)–have done anything of note. Clearly, some roster juggling may be on tap, but those 3 are going to get another appearance or 2 before that happens.

#Los Angeles Angels

Brian Downing and John Stearns have combined for 3 hits in 54 ABs at C for the Angels. Downing retains a roster spot due to his defensive flexibility, but Stearns is sent down to AAA with Jim Stephens–who has started red hot at 429/500/1048 in the minors–coming up to the big leagues.

#Miami Cuban Giants

Sandy Consuegra has put up eye-poppingly bad numbers so far: 17 hits in 6 IP, with opposing hitters managing a .593 average against him. That moves him out of a setup role in Miami’s bullpen, all the way down to AAA. Alex Colome has been recalled to take his place. Don Newcombe and Eustaquio Pedroso have swapped places, with Newk taking Pedroso’s spot in the rotation.

#Ottawa Mounties

Larry Walker was recalled from his rehab assignment, with Rick Monday heading down to AAA. Greg Holland has a 2-0 record, but he’s been absolutely hammered in his 5 appearances, giving up 13 hits in 4.2 IP for a 17.36 ERA with opposing batters hitting .500 against him. That sends him to AAA despite the victories with Chris Leroux hoping to help out in Ottawa in return.

Season Preview: Los Angeles Angels

By mknn

On August 22, 2020

In Team News

The presence of Mike Trout will cover a host of sins, but unless he gets some help from the likes of Derrek Lee or Bobby Grich, it could be a long year in the city of angels. The pitching staff could be solid, especially up front behind Doc Gooden and Gerrit Cole.

Final Roster

SP: Doc Gooden, Gerrit Cole, Brett Anderson, Pud Galvin, Harry Howell.
RP: Nolan Ryan & Chuck Finley; Aaron Heilman & Jeurys Familia; Jonny Venters & Larry Anderson; Joe Nathan.

C: Brian Downing; John Stearns
1B: Derrek Lee
2B: Bobby Grich; Mark Ellis
3B: Doug Rader
SS: George Wright; Andrelton Simmons
LF: Don Buford; Kal Daniels
CF: Mike Trout
RF: Rusty Staub
DH: Elmer Valo

Notes

SP Mike Smith just didn’t do enough to earn a bullpen spot, but Darren Holmes‘ demotion to AAA came as more of a surprise, a factor of the numbers game more than Holmes’ performance … it also speaks to Los Angeles’ faith that both Nolan Ryan and Chuck Finley will contribute from the bullpen … OFs Carlos Beltran and Jeromy Burnitz were the final roster cuts, but there really wasn’t a lot to choose from between them, Kal Daniels, and Elmer Valo … that leaves the Angels without a real backup at 3B: Don Buford has taken some reps here, but that’s it behind Doug Rader … Rusty Staub, Valo, and Daniels rotate through DH and the OF, leaving the Angels susceptible to RHP: a RH DH candidate would be a welcome addition … while not in a platoon, Brian Downing and John Stearns should split the C duties, with Downing also seeing occasional time in the OF.

At 34 years old, Elmer Valo is the oldest Angel while, at 19, Rusty Staub is the only teenager on the roster (Mike Trout is 20).

Most of the talent likely to help from AAA saw some action in the Spring, with SP Tom Seaver and Mike Smith and C Jim Stephens topping the list. At AA, 18 year old P Blue Moon Odom and a pair of 22 year old IF, Wally Backman and Xander Bogaerts head the prospect list.

Spring Training Preview: Los Angeles

By mknn

On June 19, 2020

In Team News

The 5th starter role is up for grabs between Mike Smith, Brett Anderson, and Nolan Ryan. Smith may have an edge, as he could be a useful OF as well.
- Harry Howell has been decidedly average and Gerrit Cole worse, making the rotation more open than expected. Chuck Finley and Tom Seaver join Ryan in the mix (Anderson and Smith have both eliminated themselves from serious contention).
  - Cole has recovered a bit, and he, Howell, and Pud Galvin look solid behind ace Doc Gooden. Smith, Ryan, Anderson, Seaver, and Finley all deserve another start or 2 to see how it shakes out (Anderson has gone to AAA).
The 2 pitchers that don’t make the rotations should still make the team, with the competition between Aaron Heilman and Jonny Venters determining the rest of the staff.
- In the bullpen, Venters, Jeurys Familia, and Larry Anderson are excelling, with Heilman, Dave LaRoche, and Darren Holmes solid in the middle innings.
John Stearns could be unseated at C, but it’s more likely he remains the starter with the Spring determining whether Ron Hassey or Jim Stephens emerges as the backup.
- Stephens and Brian Downing are playing the best, with Hassey demoted to AAA.
  - Stearns has gone from presumptive starter to in danger of not making the roster.
Both 3B and SS are open competitions with Tim Wallach and Doug Rader competing for the former and George Wright, Andrelton Simmons, and Kevin Elster for the latter.
- Both are still open, but for different reasons: Wright and Rader are both playing well (and David Wright has been called up to give another option at 3B), but none of the SS’s are doing much. Forced to pick, Simmons is in the lead right now.
  - Elster is clearly trailing the other 2 options at SS.
The OF is crowded, with only 2-3 of Kal Daniels, Elmer Valo, Jeromy Burnitz, Norm Miller, and Rusty Staub likely to make the final roster.
- Both Valo and Staub are knocking the cover off the ball, while Burnitz and Miller are having a hard time of it.
  - Carlos Beltran is at the bottom of the OF list, but he’s not performing horribly, so there are decisions to make here.
Wally Joyner has been recalled to add some depth in the 1B competition.

	Near Definite	Likely	Possible	Long Shot
Starting Pitchers	Doc Gooden	Pud Galvin Harry Howell Gerrit Cole	Chuck Finley Tom Seaver Nolan Ryan Mike Smith Brett Anderson
Middle Relievers		Dave LaRoche Aaron Heilman Darren Holmes
Setup		Jeurys Familia Larry Anderson Jonny Venters
Closer	Joe Nathan
C		Brian Downing Jim Stephens	John Stearns
1B		Derek Lee High Pockets Kelly		Wally Joyner
2B		Bobby Grich	Mark Ellis
3B		Doug Rader	Tim Wallach	David Wright
SS		Andrelton Simmons George Wright		Kevin Elster
OF	Mike Trout	Don Buford Elmer Valo	Kal Daniels Rusty Staub Jeromy Burnitz Norm Miller	Carlos Beltran