Tag: Jack W. Taylor Page 4 of 5

Indianapolis ABC’s

The ABC’s have struggled all year, sitting 6 games under .500 and 9.5 off the pace in the Effa Manley Division. There have been some bright spots, especially offensively, where Johnny Bench continues to be among the best backstops in the league, slashing 295/411/564 and leading the team in HRs (20) and RBIs (64). The problem is Bench has been virtually the only power source for the ABC’s, with only 3 other players in double digits in homeruns (Danny Hoffman and Bob Bescher with 11 and Hal Morris with 10). SS Denis Menke (305/394/431) has been a bit of a pleasant surprise, but the team is really hoping the return of Oscar Charleston and Joe Morgan from the DL can jump start a pretty anemic attack.

Quite controversially, Indianapolis has adopted a 6 man rotation, choosing almost at random between Dolf Luque, Rube Foster, Doc White, Johnny Cueto, David Price, and Willie Mitchell. White has been excellent, both in the bullpen and across 8 starts, but the rest are fairly identical, sporting ERA’s in the 4’s with decent secondary numbers. Rob Dibble has been excellent as a closer, with 20 saves.

Wandering House of David

The House of David are also 3rd in their division, but they sit 4 games over .500 and only 4 games back in the Bill James Division.

It’s not clear how they’re doing it, honestly. There is a lot of power here, with both George Stone (23) and Elrod Hendricks (21) having hit over 20 homeruns. Ernie Banks–3rd on the team with 17–leads the way with 63 RBIs. Stone has been superb, slashing 301/391/555, but that only puts him 3rd among the starters in OPS, with Pete Browning (341/380/584) and the blistering Anthony Rizzo (329/440/700) in front of him. Rizzo has to cool off at some point, with 7 homeruns in his first 25 games, but the success of the House of David may rest on Browning staying healthy, something that has been a bit of a struggle for him all year. Ron Santo, Ryne Sandberg, and the surprising Dan Ford fill out a lineup that is pretty solid top to bottom.

Jack Taylor and Bob Rush have led a mediocre group of starters, although both Eddie Rommel and Kerry Wood have shown great promise in their first few big league appearances. Bruce Sutter is the closer, with Dick Tidrow and Lee Smith being the most effective arms out of the pen.

Projected Starters

Indianapolis pitcher listed first.

Doc White (5-1, 3.38) @ Frank Sullivan (6-7, 5.20)
Johnny Cueto (7-5, 4.94) @ Jack Taylor (8-8, 3.54)
David Price (4-5, 4.84) @ CC Sabathia (9-9, 4.81)
Dolf Luque (8-8, 4.68) @ Bob Rush (8-5, 4.41)

Prediction

Meh. I like Indianapolis in the first game behind White, but the rest is pretty much a toss-up. Let’s say the House of David gets hot, and wins the final 3 to take the series, 3-1.

TWIWBL 31.1: Series XXIV Notes – Bill James Division

By mknn

On January 18, 2023

In TWIWBL

{ Yes, this is out of order–31.2 got published before 31.1 for those keeping score at home. }

#Detroit Wolverines

Six strong innings from Hal Newhouser led Detroit to a narrow 3-2 win over Chicago. 3 hits from Ty Cobb, including his 12th homerun of the year, helped Newhouser improve to 5-3, with John Hiller earning his 10th hold and Mike Henneman his 24th save.

Whitey Wilshire will miss a couple weeks with a shoulder injury. Mickey Lolich was recalled from AAA to take Wilshire’s place, while 20 year old Al Kaline will get his first taste of the big leagues as the Wolverines sent Greg Brock to AAA.

#Los Angeles Angels

Five RBIs on two doubles and a homerun from Bobby Grich weren’t enough, as the Angels fell to the House of David.

#New York Gothams

Don Sutton, impressive since his acquisition from Brooklyn at the all-star break, replaces the struggling Sad Sam Jones in the Gothams’ rotation.

#Wandering House of David

Jack Taylor evened his record at 8-8 with 7 innings of shutout ball, combining with Scott Downs and Kerry Wood on the 5-hit shutout of Los Angeles. George Stone drove in 3 with 2 hits, including his 22nd homerun of the year and Richie Hebner went deep for the 8th time this season in the 8-0 victory.

Anthony Rizzo continues to impress: 3 hits raised his average to .340 in a 9-7 victory over Los Angeles. Rizzo is now officially the fulltime 1B, with Mark Grace being sent to AAA and Jung Ho Kang being recalled for another stint with the big league club.

Series XXII Best Games

By mknn

On July 22, 2022

In Featured Games, Game Recaps

New York Black Yankees @ House of David, Game 3

This was just your classic see-saw slugfest. Looking only at the score at the end of half-innings, the lead changed hands 8 times in the game–2-0; 3-2; 7-2; 8-7; 10-8; 12-8; 13-12; and finally 15-13 (and it was tied at 7, 8, and 12).

Things started well for New York, as Eric Davis singled, stole 2 bases, and scored on a sac fly before a solo shot from Lou Gehrig made it 2-0 in their favor. Cole Hamels took the mound for the Black Yankees, trying to earn his spot in the starting rotation. Didn’t go so well: Hamels didn’t get out of the 4th inning, leaving the game with the House of David leading, 7-2. He gave up homeruns to Pete Browning and Gabby Hartnett, and two to Anthony Rizzo.

The House of David’s Frank Sullivan was sailing at that point, but the top of the 5th would be his undoing as New York put together 3 hits and 2 walks to start the inning, then greeted Sullivan’s replacement, Phil Regan, with RBI doubles from Mickey Mantle and Derek Jeter. By the end of the frame, New York was ahead, 8-7.

Browning’s second homerun of the game tied it up in the 5th, with the Black Yankees’ taking the lead back on a solo shot from Babe Ruth and an RBI single from Jeter. At this point, it looked like New York’s game, especially once they doubled their lead on a 2-run double from Ruth in the top of the 7th. It was now 12-8 in favor of the Black Yankees.

But the New York bullpen has been their Achilles’ heel all year, and today proved no exception. Ralph Citarella came in and loaded the bases twice (a great throw by Ruth nailed Browning at the plate, preventing a run from scoring) before giving up a grand slam to Hartnett, tying the game at 12.

Thurman Munson immediately restored New York’s lead with his 10th homerun of the season. Sparky Lyle had a rare effective outing, and gave way in the bottom of the 9th to Gary Lavelle, newly appointed as the Black Yankees’ closer. Singles by Dan Ford and Hartnett brought up George Stone with 2 outs … and Stone neatly deposited Lavelle’s first pitch into the leftfield stands, for a walk-off 3 run homer.

Jack Taylor, forced into the game as a reliever, got the victory. Rizzo and Hartnett combined for 6 hits in 6 at bats with 9 RBIs and 6 runs scored, and Ford had 4 hits and 4 runs scored for the House of David. Ruth drove in 5 for New York.

NYY 13 (Lavelle 0-2, 2 B SV) @ HOD 15 (Taylor 7-8)
HRs: NYY – Gehrig (17), Ruth (28), Munson (10); Browning 2 (13), Rizzo 2 (5), Hartnett 2 (4), Stone (21).
Box Score

Other Games of Note

In pretty much the exact opposite game, Houston’s Stephen Strasburg and Portland’s Joseito Muñoz faced off in one of the best-pitched games of the year. Muñoz gave up only 3 hits over 8 innings, with a Jorge Posada double accounting for Houston’s only run. But Strasburg was even better, taking a 1-hitter into the 9th inning. He needed help at the end from Billy Wagner, but the two Colt 45 pitchers combined for a 3-hit shutout in the 1-0 win.

POR 0 (Muñoz 3-3) 0 @ HOU 1 (Strasburg 5-5; Wagner 9 Sv) 1
HRs: None.
Box Score

This was a fun one that went down to the wire. If you look at the box score, you might think that LA’s Doc Gooden and Indianapolis’ Willie Mitchell (making his first start of the year after spectacular performances in relief) were hit hard, but the real story was the inability of either Pud Galvin or Clay Carroll to help them get out of a jam. LA took an early lead on an RBI double from Derrek Lee, but the real drama was in the late innings as the lead changed hands 3 times. An RBI single from Jake Stenzel off the Angels’ closer, Joe Nathan, tied the game, and Ed Charles‘ fly deep to CF was snagged by a great catch from Mike Trout, but allowed Danny Hoffman to stroll home from third with the winning run. Carlos Delgado (slashing 375/423/562 since arriving in LA) had 2 hits, and Stenzel and Dave Henderson had 4 each for Indianapolis, with Henderson driving in 4.

LAA 6 (Nathan 3-5, 5 B Sv; Venters 10 H) @ IND 7 (Faber 6-5, 2 B Sv; Carroll 1 B Sv)
HRs: LA – Grich (7).
Box Score

When Álex Rodríguez took San Francisco closer Rod Beck deep in the bottom of the 9th for a walkoff homerun, it consigned the Sea Lions to their 7th straight loss. Ottawa’s Rusty Staub, hitting .346 since coming to the Mounties in a trade, had 2 hits, as did Anthony Rendon, helping the team overcome 3 errors in the victory. In perhaps his best outing of the year, Randy Johnson gave Ottawa 3+ innings of hitless relief, fanning 6.

SFS 4 (Beck 1-3, 4 B Sv; Howell 5 H; Robinson 10 H) @ OTT 5 (Holland 3-1)
HRs: Ott – Walker (9), Alomar (1), Rodríguez (8).
Box Score

TWIWBL 24.19: Mid-Season Reviews – Wandering House of David

By mknn

On May 6, 2022

In Team News, TWIWBL

Summary

The House of David is too good to tank for the season, but really don’t have a shot at catching the three teams ahead of them.

What’s Gone Right

Elrod & Stone. Probably the least likely dominant duo in the league. C Elrod Hendricks and OF George Stone are among the best in the league, with OPS’ approaching 1.000.

Pete Browning. Pete Browning has played in just over half of the House of David’s games. In that time he has been one of their dominant players, electrifying at the plate and on the basepaths.

Surprises on the Mound. The best arms for the House of David may not be who was expected, but that doesn’t mean the trio of SP Jack Taylor, RP Bob Rush, and closer Bruce Sutter haven’t been excellent.

What’s Gone Wrong

Pete Browning’s Health. Like I said, Browning has played in just over half of their games, making two trips to the DL.

Big Red. Mark McGwire puts on a great show in batting practice … but has hit himself down to AAA once the games start.

Not Enough Help. Dan Ford has been a pleasant surprise and Ryne Sandberg solid at 2B. Beyond that … it’s all pure mediocrity.

Key Storylines

The biggest is whether the pitching staff can come together. There have been moments when it seemed on the verge, but then C.C. Sabathia or Rollie Fingers or someone else would start to struggle.

Browning’s health is probably the most important thing, though. The performances of Hendricks and Stone have been excellent, if Browning is able to add to them, they House of David could move into contention.

Trading Outlook

BUYING.

Or maybe holding. Or buying.

How do they convert some of the aging value they have into talent without totally tanking the season? Players like Lee Smith, Sandberg, Sutter, and Ford would have value, but only if the House of David is no longer trying to compete this season … which makes it sound like they should stand pat until the later trading period.

AAA Shuttle

Ford has earned a starting OF role. Other than that, not a ton of help so far.

Midseason Changes

Frank Chance, McGwire, and Jim Edmonds all head back to AAA.

Awards

All Stars: Elrod Hendricks (C); George Stone (LF).

Player of the Week: Pete Browning (4/17); Elrod Hendricks (6/12)

Offensive MVP: Elrod Hendricks (C)
Pitching MVP: Bob Rush (SP)

Down on the Farm

AAA: Columbus Blue Birds

Next to the Show: 3B Jung Ho Kang, C Gabby Hartnett, 1B Anthony Rizzo

Prospects: C Frank Chance (22)

Projects: 3B Jung Ho Kang (28)

Suspects: P Wild Bill Hutchinson (35)

AA: Atlantic City Bacharach Giants

Prospects: Ps Joe Nuxhall (15) & Larry Dierker (17)

Projects: OF Danny Green (22), SS Luis Aparicio (22), 2B Billy Herman (23), OF Olaf Henriksen (23)

Suspects: P Justin Grimm (25), P Bob Shaw (26), OF John Shelby (31)

TWIWBL 20.1: Series XVII Notes – Bill James Division

By mknn

On January 5, 2022

In TWIWBL

#Los Angeles Angels

With an exhausted staff, Jeurys Familia was sent to AAA with Ron Romanick coming up to the big leagues to make a start. It didn’t go particularly well, as Romanick gave up 6 runs in 4 innings. But Kal Daniels hit 2 homeruns, and Doc Gooden continued his revival with 2.2 innings of scoreless relief, picking up the win in the 8-6 victory over San Francisco.

#Memphis Red Sox

Young Roger Clemens clearly has talent. But a 1-5 with an ERA over 6, it’s time for him to get some seasoning at AAA before trying his stuff against WBL hitters once again. Joe Kelley was promoted to Memphis, with 35 year-old Nomar Garciaparra being released.

Kelly’s start was unsuccessful–8 hits and 5 runs in just over 3 innings–sending him right back to AAA, with Derek Lowe returning to Memphis. Still needing a starter, Memphis brought Clemens back with Wayne Causey moving down to AAA.

3 hits from Wade Boggs and a 3-run inside-the-park homerun from Claude Ritchey provided more than enough support as Jon Lester improved to 7-5 with 6 innings of 4-hit ball without allowing an earned run as the Red Sox beat the Black Yankees, 6-1. Len Barker was injured on the mound, and will spend 10 days on the DL. Sadie McMahon was released and Bill Doak promoted to the big leagues.

#Wandering House of David

The House of David are thrilled to have Pete Browning back. Their star OF went 2-for-4 with his 8th homerun to support nearly 7 strong innings by Jack Taylor, who improved his record to 5-6. Scott Downs and Rollie Fingers bridged the way to Bruce Sutter, who picked up his 5th save in the 3 to 1 victory over Miami.

Wade Miley allowed 3 hits and 1 run in 7.2 innings and Elrod Hendricks hit his 14th and 15th homeruns of the year, leading the House of David to a 9-1 victory over Miami. Ron Santo, Ryne Sandberg, and Richie Hebner went deep as well in the rout.

Ferguson Jenkins‘ continued ineffectiveness finally landed him in AAA, with Phil Regan coming back to the team after his rehab assignment.

Series XVI Preview: Wandering House of David @ Baltimore Black Sox

By mknn

On November 16, 2021

In Featured Series

It’s been a long time since we checked in on the House of David, who were featured way back in Series V when they visited Los Angeles. The Baltimore Black Sox–currently tied for the best record in baseball–were featured in Series IX.

Wandering House of David

The House of David are struggling towards .500, sitting 6 games below that mark, and 5 games behind Detroit in the Bill James Division. Honestly, even that may be outperforming their metrics (they are, in fact, 2 games above their Pythagorean projection at this point).

The pitching has been an issue all season. C.C. Sabathia started the year quite well, and if the House of David have an ace, he’s it. But he’s only 5-5 on the year, with a 4.29 ERA (his WHIP of 1.33 is more respectable), and some would look at Jack Taylor (4-5, 3.57 ERA) as having been more dependable. Probably their best pitcher has been Bob Rush, who sparkled out of the pen, and has just recently moved into the rotation. Rush is 4-3, with a 3.07 ERA, and both he and Taylor have identical 1.18 WHIPs.

The bullpen has been fairly mediocre: Joakim Soria started the year as the closer, lost that role to Bruce Sutter, and was just released. Sutter has been fine, and recently promoted Lee Smith has some potential, but neither he nor Rollie Fingers seem terribly reliable at the moment.

The House of David’s best offensive player has, hands down, been Pete Browning, who is slashing 385/419/606, The problem is Browning has only been healthy for about 28 games. He’s back now, and hopefully can spark a struggling offense.

The bright spots of the offense are clear: OF George Stone (318/407/552 and a team-high 12 homeruns), C Elrod Hendricks (291/344/581), and–in one of the shocks of the league–OF Dan Ford (375/396/557 in about half their games) have led the team along with SS Ernie Banks who tops the team with 44 RBIs. And … that’s about it. Ron Santo and Mark Grace have been fine, and Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire have been miserable (Sosa was just sent to AAA to work it out).

Optimism for the House of David centers around Browning’s health and Ford not collapsing. We’ll see.

Baltimore Black Sox

The Black Sox have ridden strong starting pitching and a solid offense to the best record in the league, even after a shocking series against Birmingham, where they lost 3-out-of-4. They’ll be looking to right the ship immediately, with their ace, Dennis Martinez taking the mound for the first game. Martinez is 7-2 with a 3.15 ERA, but calling him their ace may be a little misleading: Bill Byrd has essentially the same ERA at 3.16 and Ned Garvin may be the best pitcher in the league at the moment, with an ERA well under 3.00.

Don Bessent and Bob Miller have combined for 11 saves, with neither actually being declared the official closer, and Sean Marshall and Buddy Groom continue to pitch really well out of the pen.

Offensively, Curt Blefary has slowed down slightly, but is still mashing the ball at a 289/392/639 clip to lead the way, and he and Frank Robinson (313/394/537) are among the better duos in the league. Three regulars–SS Bobby Wallace, 1B Dan McGann, and 2B Larry Gardner have OBPs over .400, ensuring plenty of traffic on the basepaths, and the Black Sox’ patience with Bryce Harper has really paid off as, after a month of struggle, the young outfielder is starting to contribute more and more offensively.

Recently recalled Baby Doll Jacobsen was perhaps the most dominant hitter in AAA, so the club is eager to see if he can contribute.

Starting Pitchers

House of David starter listed first.

Wade Miley (2-2, 6.12 ERA) @ Dennis Martinez (7-2, 3.15 ERA)
Jack Taylor (4-5, 3.57 ERA) @ Jim Palmer (4-5, 4.85 ERA)
Frank Sullivan (4-6, 4.90 ERA) @ Bill Byrd (5-2, 3.16 ERA)
CC Sabathia (5-5, 4.29 ERA) @ Johnny Sain (5-4, 5.42 ERA)

Series Prediction

I mean … Baltimore is clearly the superior team. And they’ll be looking to bounce back after a disappointing series with Birmingham. I think they will, and the House of David will only win one game, either for Taylor or Sabathia.

TWIWBL Special Edition: All Star Preview II – AL Starting Pitchers

By mknn

On September 24, 2021

In All Star Games

{ With under three weeks until the All Star Teams are announced, we’re looking at what’s changed since our original previews. }

Initial preview here, selecting Gerrit Cole, CC Sabathia, Tricky Nichols, Ed Walsh, and Dennis Martinez.

It doesn’t look terribly different at this point. Los Angeles’ Cole (7-3) and Baltimore’s Martinez (7-1) are the only 7 game winners in the league, so you have to assume they make it, although Cole’s 4.04 ERA will lead to some arguments. There can be little disagreement about Martinez, though, as El Presidente has a 3.16 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP for the best team in baseball.

Behind them, Kansas City’s Andy Petitte (4-3, 3.31 ERA) and Sabathia (5-4, 3.65 ERA) deserve some consideration, as do the House of David’s Jack Taylor (only a 3-5 record, but a sub-4 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP) and Chicago’s Ben Sheets (5-3, 3.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP).

Nichols has fallen out of the conversation, and Walsh is on the DL for about a month, so they’re no longer in the running.

The AI does some interesting things, selecting Baltimore’s Ned Garvin, Detroit’s Johnny Marcum and Hal Newhouser, and the House of David’s Bob Rush along with Martinez and Petitte. Garvin, Marcum, and Rush have just recently moved into their team’s starting rotations. All three are strong choices, especially Garvin, who is 5-1 with a 2.09 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP in 8 relief appearances and 4 starts, but I’m still considering them as relievers at the moment.

Newhouser is a decent possibility. He’s made 7 starts, so it could all fall apart, but so far he looks like a potential ace, with only a 2-1 record, but a microscopic 1.93 ERA. Clearly, if he keeps that up over his next 3 or 4 starts, he’ll warrant very strong consideration.

So at this point I would go with Martinez as the starter, with Cole, Sabathia, Pettite and … let’s say the Gothams’ Juan Marichal, who is 6-1, with a high ERA that is likely to drop (I have a fear that Newhouser will implode, or be injured over the next few weeks).

TWIWBL 16.1: Series XIII Notes – Bill James Division

By mknn

On September 3, 2021

In TWIWBL

#Detroit Wolverines

Each player in Detroit’s starting lineup had 1 hit, with the biggest being a 2-run single by Oscar Gamble leading the Wolverines to a 4-2 win over the Black Yankees. Johnny Marcum moved to 5-1 with 7.2 strong innings, and Mike Henneman earned his 10th save of the season.

Mickey Lolich was sent to AAA to make room for Si Johnson‘s return from his rehab assignment. Johnson’s return pushes Justin Verlander back to the bullpen.

#Los Angeles Angels

The less said about the 18-3 loss to Miami, the better. Aaron Heilman hit the DL after the game, and Doc Gooden‘s 6th loss of the year–4 innings, 6 walks, 6 hits, 8 runs–sent him to AAA to see if he can work out his great promise. Sid Fernandez and Francisco Rodriguez were recalled from AAA Las Vegas.

AT LAST! After many attempts, Gerrit Cole became the WBL’s first 7 game winner, improving to 7-3 with 7 strong innings in an 8-3 victory for the Angels over Miami. Mike Trout led the way with 4 hits and Don Buford and Bobby Grich added 3 each.

Brett Anderson threw a 4-hitter, blanking Miami 5-0 in a complete game effort. Derrek Lee and Grich each went deep and had 2 hits for Los Angeles.

#New York Gothams

Al Mays will miss a couple weeks after straining his wrist in a 7-1 loss to Indianapolis. Pete Donohue was recalled from AAA to take Mays’s place.

The Gothams’ other Mays–Willie Mays–showed a flash of what the future might hold as the 23 year old hit 2 homeruns, drove in 4, and threw the tying run out at the plate to end the game as New York beat Indianapolis, 5-4. Juan Marichal improved to 6-1 and Brian Wilson, despite giving up 3 hits and a run, was bailed out by Mays’ throw to gain his 6th save.

John Kerins has been tearing up AAA on his rehab assignment, leading the Gothams to send down Joe Adcock, returning Kerins to the big league club as a 1B, and given them 3 catchers on the roster. Carson Smith was also recalled from a rehab assignment, with Carl Hubbell‘s recent injury landing him right back on the DL.

#Wandering House of David

Elrod Hendricks had 2 homeruns and he and Ernie Banks had 3 hits each to back a masterful performance from Jack Taylor, who spun a 2 hit shutout against Portland to improve his record to 3-5. Taylor walked 2 and struck out 6, lowering his ERA to 3.88.

TWIWBL Special Edition: All Star Preview – AL Starting Pitchers

By mknn

On July 13, 2021

In All Star Games, TWIWBL

{ The All-Star game is about a month away. We’ll post occasional articles about the contenders for participation in the mid-season classic. These are written “as of now,” so the final selections may vary dramatically, but hopefully these will add to the ongoing flavor of the league. }

We’ll start with the starting pitchers. Note that the AL is actually the Bill James & Cum Posey Divisions.

As the only 6-game winner in these divisions, Gerrit Cole (LAA) has the inside track on a spot, even if his performance may not strictly warrant it. Still, 6-2 with a WHIP under 1.3 and 1.8 WAR is pretty good, even if his ERA is slightly over 4.

CC Sabathia (HOD) has better numbers (2.73 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 1.9 WAR) and at 5-2 a very similar record. Chicago’s Tricky Nichols sits at 4-1 with a 3.93 ERA, and could certainly be selected if the wins keep piling up.

From there, it’s pretty wide open.

Baltimore’s Johnny Sain and Dennis Martinez are both at 4-1. Martinez has better numbers–a 3.42 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP–but the challenge is whether they can keep those levels up for the next month or so. Kansas City’s Andy Petite is 3-2, but with a 3.66 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP and is certainly in the conversation, as is Ben Sheets (CAG), whose 1.18 WHIP and 4-2 record are more impressive than his 3.98 ERA.

If you look past identical 2-3 records, Sad Sam Jones (NYG), Jack Taylor (HOD), and Hank Aguirre (DET) have good numbers. They sit second through fourth in ERA (from 3.15 for Jones to 3.44 for Aguirre) and WHIPs all at roughly 1.2. Aguirre is injured, but it’s currently unknown how much time–if any–he’ll miss.

Two Memphis hurlers, Roger Clemens and Nixey Callahan, have a shot as well, but you have to look pretty deep at the numbers. Clemens is 0-4 on the season with an ERA approaching 6, but his WHIP is under 1.4 and he has the 3rd lowest FIP at 3.63. Callahan is 3-4 with a far more acceptable 3.68 ERA and is holding opposition batters to a .230 BA.

Similarly, Kansas City’s Frank Castillo‘s record is only 2-4, and his ERA is pushing 4.00. But his FIP is 3.20 and he’s racked up 1.7 WAR, so a few wins could move him to the center of the contenders.

Two more long shots: Chicago’s Ed Walsh leads these divisions in strikeouts with 55, and the Gothams’ Christy Mathewson is third with 47. Walsh sits at 3-3 with a 4.00 ERA and Mathewson is 4-4 with a 4.62 ERA. Both have been hit hard, but if they can improve would have a strong argument.

The AI would select Jones, Martinez, Sabathia, Taylor, and, in a surprise, Stubby Overmire of Houston. Two things led to Overmire’s inclusion: first, the AI thinks he is Houston’s only player; second, he has pitched well: a 2.35 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP, but it’s only over 3 starts and an 0-1 record. So I doubt that happens.

My prediction would be … Cole, Sabathia, Nichols, Walsh, and Martinez.

TWIWBL 8.0: Series VII Notes

By mknn

On June 17, 2021

In TWIWBL

April 30th

Perhaps shockingly, given the nature of the featured game of Series VII, the real theme of the 40 games was quality pitching.

Game 3 of the series between the Wandering House of David and the Indianapolis ABCs saw the ABC’s Johnny Cueto improve to 3-2 with 8.2 innings of 6-hit, 1-run ball. Jack Taylor (2-2) took the loss, despite only giving up 2 earned runs himself. The final game saw 2 great performances as well, with the House of David’s Frank Sullivan and the ABC’s David Price each only allowing 1 run in 8 innings (Indianapolis would win the game in 11 innings).
The series between the Houston Colt 45’s and the Miami Cuban Giants saw Houston’s Stephen Strasburg throw 6 strong innings, giving up only 1 run in the opening game. The hottest pitcher in the WBL, the Cuban Giants’ Camilo Pascual dealt 6 innings of 1-run ball in game 3, and then Houston’s Toad Ramsey outdid them all with a complete game, 4-hit shutout in game 4.
The Birmingham Black Barons‘ Dick Rudolph opened their series against the Brooklyn Royal Giants with 8.1 innings giving up only 5 hits and 2 runs.
The Detroit Wolverine‘s Si Johnson improved to 2-2 with 5 shutout innings against the Baltimore Black Sox in their series opener. Baltimore only managed 3 hits in game 2, with Detroit’s Hal Newhouser (moving to 1-0 on his return from the DL), Gene Conley, and Kevin Hart combining on the 3-hit shutout. The Wolverines kept up their dominance in game 3 as Whitey Wilshere moved to 4-1 with 6-plus innings of shutout ball.
The Philadelphia Stars won their series opener against the New York Gothams behind 5.1 innings from Robin Roberts, who gave up only 1 earned run on 5 hits. Roberts improved to 3-1 with the effort. The Stars’ Ray Collins allowed 1 run in 8 innings in the series finale, but was not involved in the decision.
Frank Castillo of the Kansas City Monarchs allowed 5 hits and 1 run against the Memphis Red Sox, improving his record to 2-2. Memphis took game 2, as Kansas City could only manage 2 hits and 1 run against Nixey Callahan, who got his first victory. Jon Lester continued the Red Sox’s success on the mound in game 3, leveling his record at 2-2 with a 7 inning, 1-run, 7-hit effort.
Cy Falkenberg moved to 2-0 on the year, allowing 1 run in just over 5 innings as the San Francisco Sea Lions took the opening game from the Chicago American Giants.
Los Angeles‘ Brett Anderson threw a complete game, 3-hit shutout against the Homestead Grays.

The other big news of the series was the Portland Sea Dogs‘ statement series against the New York Black Yankees. Portland took 3 out of 4 from New York, and now has the 2nd best record in the league.

Also, Baltimore’s Curt Blefary took over the league HR lead from New York’s Babe Ruth with 12.

League Standings | League Statistics

Leading SP: Don Drysedale (BRK) 4-0, 1.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP; Walter Johnson (POR) 4-0, 2.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 2.85 FIP; Ron Guidry (NYY) 4-1, 2.32 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 51 K.

Leading RP: Johan Santana (POR) 0-1, 12 Sv, 3.72 ERA; Tom Henke (OTT) 0-0, 8 Sv, 0.84 ERA; Ron Reed (PHI) 0-0, 2 Sv, 8 H; 2.40 ERA; Frank DiPino (KCM) 0-1, 1 Sv, 1 H, 0.69 ERA.

Leading Batters: Babe Ruth (NYY) 421/504/807, 1.311 OPS, 11 HR, 32 RBI, 36 R; Kal Daniels (LAA) 329/441/579, 13 2B; Eric Davis (NYY) 288/323/517, 37 RBI; Rickey Henderson (SFS) 273/434/404, 27 BB, 20 SB; Shoeless Joe Jackson (CAG) 389/478/743, 1.221 OPS; Buster Posey (SFS) 416/470/733, 1.202 OPS; Curt Blefary (BAL) 289/408/747, 12 HR, 25 RBI.

Boldface indicates league leading mark.

Streaks

The House of David’s Ernie Banks‘ hitting streak ended at 20 games, leaving Ty Cobb‘s 14 game streak as the longest active. Banks has reached base in 14 straight contests. Cleveland’s Ron Blomberg has scored a run in 8 straight games and has an extra-base hit in 6. Baltimore’s Sean Marshall hasn’t allowed a hit in 6.1 innings.

Series VII Results

Series VII Sweeps

Detroit over Baltimore
Los Angeles over Homestead

Taking 3 of 4 in Series VII

Chicago over San Francisco
Cleveland over Ottawa
Portland over New York Black Yankees

Series VII Splits

Birmingham at Brooklyn
Houston @ Miami
House of David @ Indianapolis
Kansas City @ Memphis
Philadelphia @ New York Gothams