Tag: Juan Marichal Page 2 of 3

TWIWBL 34.1: Series XXVII Notes – Bill James Division

On March 1, 2023

#Los Angeles Angels

The Angels have been desperate for starting pitching for a while, behind the hard-throwing duo of Gerrit Cole and Nolan Ryan. In a somewhat desperate move, they sent Chuck Finley, Tom Seaver, and Mike Smith to AAA, bringing back up Harry Howell, Sid Fernandez, and Jason Vargas.

Homeruns from Mike Trout and Carlos Delgado powered the Angels to a 12-1 victory over Kansas City in a game which, perhaps more importantly, both Doc Gooden and Fernandez pitched well.

#Memphis Red Sox

Wade Boggs hit a mammoth homerun to lead off the bottom of the 10th giving the Red Sox a 6-5 win over Portland.

#New York Gothams

The Gothams hit 5 homeruns in a 16-7 rout of San Francisco. Joe Adcock started it with a grandslam, and Jimmy Sheckard, Willie Mays, Eugenio Suárez, and Johnny Callison all going deep as well. Mays and Callison had 4 hits each; Adcock and Callions each drove in 4, and Mays scored 4 times as New York pounded out 21 hits in helping Juan Marichal improve to 9-6.

#Wandering House of David

Dan Ford had 4 hits–2 of which were homeruns–and 5 RBI, leading the House of David to a 9-5 victory over surging Birmingham. Ryne Sandberg also had 4 hits, including his 16th homerun of the year, as Bob Rush threw 7 strong innings moving to 9-5 on the year.

Series XX Featured Matchup: Chicago American Giants @ New York Gothams

By mknn

On June 15, 2022

In Featured Series, Game Recaps

Series preview here.

#Game One: Don Newcombe @ Christy Mathewson

Chicago‘s recent acquisition, Don Newcombe, makes his first start for the American Giants. He’ll be facing Christy Mathewson, moving up a day to take the first game of the series for the New York Gothams.

A long homerun in the top of the 2nd by Dick Allen put Chicago up, 1-0.

And that was it for a while. Mathewson struggled with his control, walking 4 through 4 innings, but only giving up the homerun to Allen. Cristóbal Torriente led off the 5th with a single, but was stranded there as, reaching back for a little extra, Mathewson whiffed Duffy Lewis with his final pitch.

Newcombe, on the other hand, was giving up a hit per inning, but nothing else. Willie Mays led off the bottom of the 7th with a double and moved to 3rd on an infield hit by Johnny Callison. Mays would score to tie the game on a sacrifice fly from Willie McCovey.

The Gothams would take their first lead in the bottom of the 8th when Buster Posey singled home Jimmy Sheckard. Mike Norris gave up a 2-out single to Eddie Collins, but struck out Joe Jackson to end the game, earning his 2nd save in the process as the Gothams took the first of the four game series.

CAG 1 (Otsuka 3-5) @ NYG 2 (Smith 1-0; Norris 2 Sv)
HRs: CAG – Allen (14)
Box Score

#Game 2: Ben Sheets @ Sad Sam Jones

Duffy Lewis opened the scoring in the top of the first with an RBI single , but despite 2 hits and 2 walks, that was all Chicago could manage off of Sad Sam Jones in the frame.

Yasiel Puig doubled off Ben Sheets in the bottom of the 2nd, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on an RBI single by Wes Westrum to tie the game. Sheets would walk Pinky Higgins and give up a single to Brandon Crawford to load the bases, but a double play ball from Cookie Rojas left the game tied at 1.

Chicago would take the lead back in the top of the 4th on an RBI single by Freddy Parent. In the next inning, Dick Allen would triple in 2 more runs, extending the lead to 4-1. Allen would score on a single by Mike Fiore, chasing Jones and bringing in Don Sutton for the Gothams.

Johnny Callison made it 5-3 in the bottom of the 8th with a 2-run homerun off Herb Pennock.

Chicago would add a run in the top of the 9th, and their closer, AJ Minter, would work around an error to close it out in the bottom of the frame.

CAG 6 (Sheets 7-4; Minter 12 Sv; Condrey 1 H) @ NYG 3 (Jones 6-6)
HRs: NYG – Callison (10)
Box Score

#Game 3: Tricky Nichols @ Pete Donohue

Pete Donohue got himself into a bases loaded jam in the top of the 2nd, and got Dave Nilsson to hit a groundball. But New York only got one out, and a run crossed the plate for an early 1-0 lead for Chicago. They would double it in the 4th, taking advantage of a Carl Furillo error and a Magglio Ordóñez double to make it 2-0.

Meanwhile, Tricky Nichols was sailing along with a 3-hit shutout through five innings.

Donohue, who had only allowed 2 hits to that point, took a line drive off the leg in the top of the 5th and had to leave the game, replaced by Mike Norris.

The wheels came off for Nichols in the bottom of the 6th, when the home crowd’s fan favorite, Wes Westrum, took him deep with 2 men on, giving the Gothams a 3-2 lead.

Nichols was chased from the game by hits from John Kerins and Cookie Rojas in the bottom of the 7th, bringing Hoyt Wilhelm in from the bullpen to face the pinch-hitting Willie Mays. Mays singled, bringing in a run and extending the lead to 4-2, but Wilhelm got out of the inning without further damage.

The American Giants made a stand in the top of the 8th, first with an RBI single from Frank Thomas, and back-to-back doubles from Dick Allen and Mike Fiore and a pinch-hit single from Duffy Lewis that gave Chicago the lead again, 7-4.

Akinori Otsuka and AJ Minter would close out the game for Chicago with 2 perfect innings of relief.

CAG 7 (Wilhelm 1-0; Minter 13 Sv; Otsuka 2 H) @ NYG 4 (Nen 2-4, 1 BSv)
HRs: NYG – Westrum (5)
Box Score

#Game 4: Mark Buehrle @ Juan Marichal

Up 2 games to 1, Chicago opened game 4 of the series with a double from Eddie Collins, who scored on a single from Joe Jackson. Jackson would score on a single by Dick Allen, and Duffy Lewis would come home on a soft single from Cristóbal Torriente. Allen would score on a wild pitch as Chicago tagged Juan Marichal for 4 runs in the top of the first.

The Gothams would get one back in the bottom of the 2nd, when a Mark Buehrle wild pitch allowed Yasiel Puig to score.

Marichal would give up 2 more runs, giving Chicago the 6-1 lead heading to the bottom of the 5th. New York closed to 6-2 in the bottom of the frame, but Buehrle escaped a bases-loaded jam to maintain a 4-run cushion.

A 2-run homerun from Jackson extended Chicago’s lead to 8-3 in the top of the 7th.

The Gothams’ most pleasant surprise of the year has been Wes Westrum, who continues to just mash the ball. Westrum doubled in 2 runs in the bottom of the 7th, closing the score to 8-5.

Chicago would add one more run on a double play in the top of the 9th for the final tally.

CAG 9 (Buehrle 6-7; Dixon 1 Sv; Pennock 1H) @ NYG 5 (Marichal 7-4)
HRs: CAG – Jackson (17)
Box Score

#Series Notes

These are two excellent teams, each leaving this series in 2nd place in their divisions. But the edge shown by Chicago does reflect a true difference in the two, and the 3-1 series result is well deserved.

Dick Allen, Joe Jackson, and Eddie Collins each had 5 hits for the American Giants and Cristóbal Torriente went 7-for-16 to lead their offense. For the Gothams, Buster Posey went 6-for-15, Cookie Rojas added 5 hits, and Wes Westrum had 4 in 3 games.

Series XX Preview: Chicago American Giants @ New York Gothams

By mknn

On June 13, 2022

In Featured Series, Series Previews

For Series XX, we’ll see the Chicago American Giants (featured in Series VI) visit the New York Gothams (Series II and Series XIV).

#Chicago American Giants

Chicago comes into Series XX 10 games over .500, but 4 games behind Baltimore, who lead the Cum Posey Division. The story for the American Giants remains the same: one of the best and deepest offenses in the league trying to carry a thoroughly mediocre pitching staff.

New additions Hoyt Wilhelm and Don Newcombe are trying to help with the latter, while Freddy Parent was brought in to address the one weakness–SS–in the starting lineup. Their best two starters–Ben Sheets and Tricky Nichols–will see action in the series, so Chicago needs to capitalize to hold pace with the Black Sox.

Chicago has juggled much of its bench, and early returns are not encouraging: the quartet of Jackie Hayes, José Abreu, Magglio Ordóñez, and Tom Brookens needs to do more to hold onto their roster spots, although none of them have more than 38 PA’s (Ordóñez).

#New York Gothams

The Gothams continue to cling to a slim lead–one game–over Detroit in the Bill James Division. They’re doing it with offense and their bullpen: like Chicago, the starters have been sufficient, but little more than that.

Willie Mays and Buster Posey continue to lead the way for the Gothams, and Wes Westrum has yet to cool off, slashing an impressive 327/410/654 and earning some more regular playing time in the process. The Gothams largely stood pat at the break, adding Don Sutton to their staff, initially in a long relief role, but clearly Sutton is on hand should one of the current starters falter.

#Pitching Matchups

Don Newcombe (2-9, 6.15) @ Pete Donohue (2-0, 4.11)
Ben Sheets (6-4, 3.66) @ Christy Mathewson (8-6, 4.82)
Mark Buehrle (5-7, 4.46) @ Sad Sam Jones (6-5, 4.20)
Tricky Nichols (8-3, 3.71) @ Juan Marichal (7-3, 4.99)

Clearly the Sheets v Mathewson matchup stands out.

#Predictions

It’s a close series. When in doubt, side with the offense. Chicago, 3-1.

TWIWBL 24.14: Mid-Season Reviews – New York Gothams

By mknn

On March 31, 2022

In Team News, TWIWBL

Summary

For a team that still feels like it’s putting it all together, the Gothams are doing very well–first place in the Bill James Division and 8 games over .500.

What’s Gone Right

Dynamic Duo. Willie Mays and Buster Posey look to be the heart of this franchise for years to come, with OPS’ nearing 1.000 and solid defense to boot.

Help From Below. The performances of Yasiel Puig and, especially, Wes Westrum, have been fantastic, and unexpected. Westrum actually has the highest OPS on the team (a SLG over .750 will do that) and Puig is solidly in the mid .800’s. John Kerins has been solid as well.

The Back End. Brian Wilson, Carson Smith, and Mike Norris have been great shutting down teams at the end of games.

What’s Gone Wrong

Mound Mediocrity. Christy Mathewson eats innings. Sad Sam Jones has been decent, and both Gaylord Perry and Juan Marichal a little more than that. But a team hoping to go far in the postseason needs more than that.

Not So Long Ball. There’s not a lot of homerun power here, once you get past Mays and Posey (and, in limited at-bats, Westrum). Much of the blame falls on Willie McCovey, who may lose his starting spot.

Reserve Infielders. I mean, they’ve been fine but I’m looking for 3 things, so … the performances of Mark Loretta and Brandon Crawford leave a bit to be desired.

Key Storylines

The biggest question is if the Gothams can keep on keeping on? Right now, it looks like they will go as far as the duo of Mays and Posey will take them. That said, the Gothams do need a pitcher or two to step up on the staff–two of Mathewson, Marichal, and Perry need to emerge as a legitimate front of the rotation for them to go far.

Puig is unlikely to keep up his current level of performance, but there are some players who are likely to improve (Carl Furillo, Johnny Callison), so that may even out.

Trading Outlook

BUYING, if they can, but it’s not really clear where the pieces are they can offer.

AAA Shuttle

It’s been a key part of their success: Puig, Kerins, and Westrum have all excelled, and Crawford seems to have solidified the backup SS role.

Midseason Changes

Mickey Welch and Mat Latos move down to AAA with Pete Donohue taking Welch’s spot in the rotation. Bob Moose comes up.

Awards

All Stars: Willie Mays (CF); Buster Posey (C); Brian Wilson (P).

Offensive MVP: Willie Mays (OF)
Pitching MVP: Juan Marichal (SP)

Down on the Farm

AAA: Hartford Dark Blues

Next to the Show: P Edwin Jackson, OF Benny Kauff, C Dick Dietz, OF Jo-Jo Moore

Prospects: None.

Projects: P Willie Banks (26), OF Benny Kauff (27), OF Jo-Jo Moore (26), C Dick Dietz (28).

Suspects: P Liván Hernández (29), SS Chico Carrasquel (28), Dan Johnson (35)

AA: Troy Trojans

Prospects: P Lew Krausse, Jr. (21), OFs Don Mueller & Mike Shannon (both 22)

Projects: C Steve O’Neill (21)

Suspects: OF Johnny Rucker (24).

TWIWBL 20.0: Series XVII Notes

By mknn

On January 4, 2022

In TWIWBL

June 12

Awards

C Elrod Hendricks of the House of David hit .545 (12 for 22) with 4 homeruns to earn the WBL Player of the Week Award.

Performance

At the end of Series XVII, This Week in Whirled Baseball 19.0 took a look at the best young performers in the WBL. This time, we’ll look at the over 30 players making a difference.

30 year old Albert Belle of the New York Black Yankees has probably been the best of them, slashing 312/377/551, but he just misses out on the qualification requirements for batters. So we turn instead to 31 year old Jake Stahl of the Cleveland Spiders, who leads the pack with an OPS of just under .900. Portland‘s Gil Hodges (30) has 16 homeruns and Oscar Gamble of the Detroit Wolverines leads with 52 RBIs.

Here’s what the old guys team might look like:

C: Jim Pagliaroni (31, Memphis Red Sox). 272/366/447.
1B: Jake Stahl (31, Cleveland). 277/336/559.
2B: Rogers Hornsby (33, Kansas City Monarchs). 300/384/469.
SS: Bobby Wallace (33, Baltimore Black Sox). 314/410/455.
3B: Jimmy Collins (34, Detroit). 232/280/382.
LF: Oscar Gamble (31, Detroit). 267/383/504.
CF: Don Buford (31, Los Angeles Angels). 296/389/428.
RF: Gavvy Cravath (35, Philadelphia Stars). 322/360/507.
DH: Carlos Delgado (30, Ottawa Mounties). 282/401/482.

Honorable mention to 36 year old Dan McGann of Baltimore, slashing along at 307/407/483. McGann joins Cravath and his Philadelphia teammate Rico Carty (36, 296/360/483) and Detroit’s Tony Phillips (38, 238/374/389) in the over-35 club, holding down a contributing role.

If you’re paying close attention, you’ll see that Detroit has three players mentioned so far: the Wolverines may be in win-now mode as the trading deadline approaches.

On the mound, the New York Gotham‘s Juan Marichal (32, 7-2, 4.55) and the Black Yankees’ Jack Scott (33, 7-3, 3.50) lead the way, although a special tip of the hat goes to 30 year old Mark Melancon, who is 7-1 out of the bullpen for the Houston Colt 45‘s. But the best of them all has probably been Kansas City’s Andy Pettitte, who sports a 3.12 ERA to go along with a less sparkling 5-3 record.

Leading Performers

The top 2 (ish) performers in each category are included, league leaders in bold.

Best Batters

A few things to note. First, the Chicago American Giants big three–Dick Allen, Joe Jackson, and Frank Thomas–is very impressive; second, Reggie Jackson of the San Francisco Sea Lions now leads in all three slash categories; and third, Babe Ruth is in a bit of a slump (I mean all things are relative), and while he is still listed in 5 categories, he only leads in 2 (homeruns and runs scored).

Dick Allen (Chicago). 298/357/579; 8 3B.
Rico Carty (Philadelphia). 296/360/483; 24 2B.
Mike Epstein (Homestead). 338/443/532.
Bobby Grich (Los Angeles). 293/369/479; 24 2B.
Rickey Henderson (San Francisco). 263/407/357; 55 BB; 50 SB.
Kent Hrbek (Portland). 317/388/623; 22 HR.
Joe Jackson (Chicago). 350/434/634; 56 R.
Reggie Jackson (San Francisco). 371/470/668.
Willie Mays (Gothams). 355/412/595; 93 H; 3.9 WAR.
Doug Rader (Los Angeles). 308/367/502; 66 RBI.
Tim Raines (Ottawa). 300/376/466; 48 SB.
Babe Ruth (Black Yankees). 313/422/663; 23 HR; 65 RBI; 56 R; 48 BB; 3.8 WAR.
Louis Santop (Cleveland). 303/337/461; 8 3B.
Frank Thomas (Chicago). 355/439/605; 91 H.

Best Starting Pitchers

Baltimore’s Ned Garvin continues to make a strong argument to be the best starting pitcher in the league.

Bill Byrd (Baltimore). 5-2; 3.09 ERA; 1.11 WHIP.
Gerrit Cole (Los Angeles). 10-3; 4.20 ERA.
Ned Garvin (Baltimore). 5-2; 2.78 ERA; 2 H; 0.98 WHIP.
Lefty Grove (San Francisco). 8-2; 3.49 ERA; 100 Ks.
Ron Guidry (Black Yankees). 5-5; 3.90 ERA ; 105 Ks.
Walter Johnson (Portland). 7-3; 3.88 ERA; 2.8 WAR.
Johnny Marcum (Detroit). 6-2; 2.92 ERA; 1 H.
Red Ruffing (Black Yankees). 9-1; 3.62 ERA.
Cy Young (Cleveland). 6-2; 3.40 ERA; 2.6 WAR.

Best Relievers

20 IP minimum for rate stats.

Terry Adams (Cleveland). 0-3; 2.91 ERA ; 17 Sv.
Elmer Brown (Portland). 2-4; 2.37 ERA ; 3 Sv; 9 H.
Turk Farrell (Memphis). 0-2; 2.95 ERA ; 1 Sv; 2 H; 28 G.
Bob Howry (Philadelphia). 1-3; 5.01 ERA; 16 Sv; 1.03 WHIP.
Ken Howell (San Francisco). 3-2; 1.20 ERA; 3 Sv; 3 H; 0.90 WHIP.
Mark Melancon (Houston). 7-1; 3.00 ERA ; 1 Sv; 5 H.
Willie Mitchell (Indianapolis). 2-2; 1.19 ERA; 1 H.
Ron Reed (Philadelphia). 0-2; 2.87 ERA ; 3 Sv; 12 H; 35 G.
Ron Robinson (San Francisco). 4-1; 3.45 ERA ; 9 H.
Johan Santana (Portland). 1-1; 2.79 ERA ; 22 Sv.

Streaks

The unstoppable force that is Thurman Munson just keeps on going: the Black Yankees’ backstop has now reached base in 39 consecutive games. The Gothams’ Willie Mays has reached base in 29 straight.

Brooklyn‘s Duke Snider and Chicago’s Joe Jackson are edging up the list of hitting streaks, with active 17 and 16 game runs, respectively (Jackson is slashing 438/486/828 over his last 15 games, easily the most extended hot streak in the league). Two slightly more oddball streaks: Homestead’s Mike Epstein has reached base in 8 consecutive plate appearances and Philadelphia’s George Hendrick has 4 consecutive pinch-hits.

On the mound, the Black Yankee’s Red Ruffing hasn’t allowed a run in 20 innings, setting a new league record and Chicago’s AJ Minter has now gone 16 straight appearances without allowing a run, extending his league record.

Two of the longest exercises in patience may be running out. Baltimore’s Paul Blair resurgence was clearly a mirage, and the center fielders has managed only 7 hits in his last 43 at-bats. The House of David’s Mark McGwire draws his share of walks, but little else, managing only 7 hits in his last 80 at-bats for a 087/253/125 slash line over that time.

Series XVII Results

Series XVII Sweeps

Chicago over Kansas City

Taking 3 out of 4 in Series XVII

Brooklyn over Portland
Cleveland over Philadelphia
Gothams over Homestead
San Francisco over Los Angeles
Black Yankees over Memphis

Series XVII Splits

Baltimore @ Ottawa
Birmingham Black Barons @ Houston
Indianapolis @ Detroit
Miami Cuban Giants @ House of David

TWIWBL 19.1: Series XVI Notes – Bill James Division

By mknn

On November 24, 2021

In TWIWBL

#Detroit Wolverines

Detroit pounded 5 homeruns–3 in the first inning–in a 9-5 win over Cleveland. Oscar Gamble, Bob Bailey, Jimmy Collins, Ty Cobb, and Tony Phillips all went deep, and Hank Aguirre put in 7 strong innings to level his record at 3-3.

With Kevin Hart looking good in his rehab assignment at AAA, the Wolverines demoted Jason Schmidt and returned Hart to the big leagues.

#Los Angeles Angels

A grand slam from Doug Rader and homeruns from Elmer Valo and Bobby Grich led Los Angeles to a 10-1 lead, helping Gerrit Cole become the first 10 game winner in the WBL.

#New York Gothams

Juan Marichal moved to 7-2 with 8 innings of one-hit ball as the Gothams beat Ottawa, 2-1. Brian Wilson picked up his 9th save, recording 3 outs on 5 pitches in a game where New York managed only 2 hits, both by Pinky Higgins.

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).

Series XIV Preview: Birmingham Black Barons @ New York Gothams

By mknn

On September 10, 2021

In Featured Series, Series Previews

We last focused on the Birmingham Black Barons in Series III and on the New York Gothams in Series II.

Since then, their fortunes have diverged significantly, with Birmingham 12 games back in the Marvin Miller Division at 22-32 and the Gothams only 1/2 game behind Los Angeles in the Bill James Division at 28-25.

So we go into this series expecting a dominant performance from the Gothams.

#Birmingham Black Barons

The bright spots are, as you may guess from their record, few and far between.

Offensively, the story of the year has to be 2B Tom Herr, who has come out of nowhere to lead the team regulars in all 3 categories of his 348/384/464 slash line. Other than Herr, there are some reasons for optimism, as Pie Traynor, Bob Nieman, Del Crandall, and Al Schweitzer have all hit well in very limited opportunities (Crandall and Traynor are recent recalls from AAA, Schweitzer has just returned from the DL).

Eddie Mathews has 9 homeruns to lead the team, while Hank Aaron has 28 RBIs.

Herr has a parallel on the mound, where Tim Hudson has moved from AAA into the rotation, going 4-0 with a 2.51 ERA, although in under 30 innings (3 relief appearances and 3 starts). Scott Baker leads the team in wins at 5-3, but has an ERA over 5. Alejandro Pena, with a 4-4 record and a 3.76 ERA, has probably been Birmingham’s most dependable starter.

#New York Gothams

The Gothams’ offense revolves around Buster Posey (347/433/568) and Willie Mays (354/408/561), but the surprise of the season is probably SS Eugenio Suarez, who continues to hit for power, at 304/349/506 on the season. Posey and Mays have 9 homeruns each, with Mays leading the team with 46 RBIs.

Two minor league callups have been impactful, with Wes Westrum (318/375/727) taking over the backup C role behind Posey and Yasiel Puig becoming a nearly everyday player, with an OPS just under .800.

The starting pitching has been a little uneven: while Juan Marichal (6-1), Mickey Welch (5-2), and Christy Mathewson (5-5) have a lot of victories, they all have pretty high ERA’s. New York’s best starter has probably been Sad Sam Jones, who is 3-3, but has an ERA of 3.49.

The bullpen has been excellent, with Mike Norris (2-1, 1 Sv, 3 H, 1.91 ERA) and Robb Nen (4 Sv) setting up Brian Wilson, who has 6 saves and a 2.40 ERA.

#Series Matchups

Birmingham’s projected starter first: Scott Baker (5-3, 5.08 ERA) @ Sad Sam Jones (3-3, 3.49 ERA); Dick Rudolph (3-4, 4.52 ERA) @ Christy Mathewson (5-5, 4.96 ERA); Tim Hudson (4-0, 2.51 ERA) @ Mickey Welch (5-2, 6.04 ERA); Sam Streeter (2-3, 5.00 ERA) @ Gaylord Perry (2-4, 3.56 ERA).

You have to think the Gothams will take this series, with a sweep a distinct possibility.

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 15.1: Series XII Notes – Bill James Division

By mknn

On August 23, 2021

In TWIWBL

#Detroit Wolverines

Hal Newhouser allowed 1 hit and 1 run in 6 innings … along with a WLB record-tying 8 walks. But it was enough for a win, improving his record to 2-1 and lowering his ERA to 1.67. Gene Conley, Buddy Napier, John Hiller, and Mike Henneman combined to allow only 1 more hit over the rest of the ballgame, with Henneman picking up his 9th save in a 2-1 victory for Detroit over San Francisco.

Doyle Alexander was moved into the starting rotation, which may last only as long as Si Johnson‘s rehab assignment (by which point, the Wolverines are hoping the mix of Napier, Matt Anderson, and Mickey Lolich have worked themselves out in terms of who belongs at the big league level).

#Los Angeles Angels

Pud Galvin and Harry Howell have been replaced in the Angels’ starting rotation by Nolan Ryan and Chuck Finley; really the only surprise here is that Doc Gooden has retained his starting spot despite continuing to struggle. The Angels also made a shock move, replacing their entire catching corps by sending Jim Stephens and Brian Downing to AAA and promoting Ron Hassey and John Stearns, who are expected to platoon for the big league club. As part of this, the club recalled Rusty Staub to help fill in at RF, and waived Armando Benitez and his 8.00+ ERA. These moves also mean that Elmer Valo and Kal Daniels find spots in the lineup every day (Valo in RF, Daniels as the DH).

#Memphis Red Sox

Nomar Garciaparra‘s demotion to AAA from the disabled list was no surprise, but the choice to also send both Bob Brenly and Dustin Pedroia to New Orleans may have been. Billy Bryan was recalled from AAA, but Brenly’s demotion means Jim Pagliaroni becomes an everyday catcher. Iván de Jesus was recalled as well, mostly due to his defensive versatility.

#New York Gothams

Led by 3 hits apiece from Yasiel Puig and Pinky Higgins, the Gothams destroyed Cleveland 10-3. Juan Marichal improved to 5-1 with the victory.

Buck O’Brien‘s time in the WBL was very brief, as after being left as sacrificial arm in a blowout game, absorbing 11 hits in just over 2 innings pitched, O’Brien was returned to AAA with Carl Hubbell making his long awaited return from injury.

#Wandering House of David

In a see-saw game, the House of David relied on 4 hits from George Stone and Ryne Sandberg and 3 RBIs from Ron Santo in a 15-9 triumph over Kansas City. The Monarchs hit 4 homeruns, but the House of David responded by outhitting them, 22 to 13. After Wade Miley was hit hard, Bob Rush continued his great season with 4 innings, allowing only 1 run and improving his record to 4-1.

Rush has replaced Ferguson Jenkins in the House of David’s rotation and Bruce Sutter has been named the closer, with Tom Niedenfeuer out for several months. Jerry Mumphrey, Jung Ho Kang, and Bunny Downs were all sent down to AAA (essentially giving Sammy Sosa the job in CF for the time being). Dave Altizer was waived to make room for Craig Reynolds on the 40-man roster, and Jim Edmonds and Anthony Rizzo were recalled as well.

All of that results in Dan Ford parlaying his strong showing with the House of David into a starting job in RF.