Tag: Tricky Nichols Page 2 of 4

TWIWBL 41.0: Series XXXIII Notes

On June 15, 2023

August 22nd

Awards

Pedro Guerrero of the San Francisco Sea Lions was named the WBL Player of the Week, hitting .480 with 3 homeruns.

Playoff Races

The Bill James Division just gets tighter and tighter: we go into expanded rosters with the Detroit Wolverines and New York Gothams tied for first place, with the House of David only a game behind. Currently, all 3 teams would make the playoffs, but it’s very close and the only sure way to make it into the postseason is to win the division.

Well, sort of. The Chicago American Giants are tied (with the Gothams and Wolverines) for the 2nd best record in the WBL. That leaves them 4 games back in the Cum Posey Division, where the Baltimore Black Sox continue to be the league’s best team, playing at a .590 pace and leading the American Giants by 4 games. The Houston Colt 45‘s have won 6 straight, but remain 3 games out of the final Wild Card slot (and 9 behind Baltimore).

The New York Black Yankees have used an 8-2 streak (and a series sweep over the Philadelphia Stars) to–at long last–reclaim first place in the Effa Manley Division, where they now lead the Cleveland Spiders by 2 games. This race is intense, as most likely only the division winner will make the post-season. Cleveland missed a great opportunity this series, losing 3 out of 4 to the lowly Miami Cuban Giants.

Over in the Marvin Miller Division, the miracle that is the Birmingham Black Barons continues, as they lead the Portland Sea Dogs by 1 game. Both teams have a shot at the post-season, but it may be a close thing, putting pressure on the Black Barons to maintain their pace and the Sea Dogs to overtake them.

Performance

Batters

The House of David’s Pete Browning has finally cracked these lists after a long spell on the DL. Browning is one of 5 batters with an OPS over 1.000, led by Babe Ruth (who else?) at 1.102 (the others are Ron Blomberg, Reggie Jackson, and Joe Jackson).

Top 2 in each category as always, leaders in bold.

Ron Blomberg (CLE). 340/410/652. 163 H, 38 HR.
Pete Browning (HOD). 352/388/632.
Ty Cobb (DET). 346/390/556.
Eric Davis (NYY). 278/354/521. 5.7 WAR.
Mike Fiore (CAG). 232/399/378. 98 BB.
Bobby Grich (LAA). 292/381/483. 41 2B.
Rickey Henderson (SFS). 271/402/360. 85 SB.
Joe Jackson (CAG). 336/421/587. 98 R.
Reggie Jackson (SFS). 319/436/604.
Stan Musial (KCM). 326/390/576. 42 2B.
Alejandro Oms (MCG). 257/312/405. 11 3B.
Doug Rader (LAA). 337/397/548. 164 H, 119 RBI.
Tim Raines (OTT). 293/371/435. 86 SB.
Babe Ruth (NYY). 319/434/668. 41 HR, 118 RBI, 108 R, 96 BB, 7.0 WAR.
Louis Santop (CLE). 305/338/459. 12 3B.

Pitchers

Starters

The Gothams’ Christy Mathewson is pulling away in victories–this is the 3rd time someone has done this (Portland’s Walter Johnson at the start of the year, then Gerrit Cole of the Los Angeles Angels), so we’ll see if it sticks. It’s still between Mathewson and the House of David’s Jack Taylor as the best starter in the league, although Andy Pettitte‘s spectacular start with Birmingham has pushed him into the conversation (and the league lead in ERA).

All 4 14 game winners are included. This list has more pitcher’s who are among the leaders, but not having especially great years than the batters do: the Black Yankees’ Ron Guidry has been a hard luck starter all year, but still an ERA over 4.50 removes him from any “best in the league” list; likewise Cleveland’s Cy Young is an innings eater, but essentially a league average innings eater at this point.

Lefty Grove (SFS). 13-7, 3.50. 184 K.
Ron Guidry (NYY). 7-10, 4.55. 166 K.
Dennis Martínez (BAL). 14-8, 3.72.
Christy Mathewson (NYG). 16-7, 3.47.
Tricky Nichols (CAG). 14-8, 4.02.
Alejandro Peña (BBB). 11-8, 3.82. 4.5 WAR, 3.49 FIP.
Eddie Plank (SFS). 10-6, 4.08. 3.34 FIP.
Roy Oswalt (HOU). 12-7, 3.55. 183 IP, 4.3 WAR.
Andy Pettitte (KCM/BBB). 14-4, 3.14, 1.20 WHIP.
Jack Taylor (HOD). 14-9, 3.21. 1.14 WHIP.
Cy Young (CLE). 9-9, 4.67. 181 IP.

Relievers

The Gothams’ bullpen continues to be stellar, with Mike Norris perhaps the most valuable reliever in the league and Brian Wilson continuing to be totally lights out as a closer.

35 IP for rate stats.

Terry Adams (CLE). 2-6, 3.05. 30 Sv, 1 H.
Mike Henneman (DET). 1-5, 4.54. 34 Sv.
Ken Howell (SFS). 4-4, 2.35. 4 Sv, 9 H, 0.99 WHIP.
* Sean Marshall (BAL). 0-5, 1.79. 1 Sv, 8 H, 0.98 WHIP.
Mike Norris (NYG). 4-3, 1.36. 7 Sv, 13 H.
Ron Reed (PHI/CLE). 0-6, 4.64. 3 Sv, 16 H.
Ron Robinson (SFS). 6-4, 3.73. 1 Sv, 17 H.
Ed Walsh (CAG). 6-3, 2.73. 5 H, 3.00 FIP.
Brian Wilson (NYG). 1-0, 1.00. 24 Sv, 1 H, 2.58 FIP.

* Currently on the DL.

Streaks

Most impressively, Christy Mathewson hasn’t given up a run in 19 innings.

Los Angeles’ Bobby Grich has a 32 game on-base streak, but he’s still 20 shy of the league record. George Stone of the House of David has 4 consecutive pinch-hits, which has him tied for the league record.

Series Results

Series Sweeps in Series XXXIII

Houston over Los Angeles
New York Black Yankees over Philadelphia

Taking 3 out of 4 in Series XXXIII

Detroit over Memphis Red Sox
Homestead Grays over Kansas City Monarchs
Miami over Cleveland

Taking 3 out of 5 in Series XXXIII (weather makeup included)

Birmingham over New York Gothams

Series Splits in Series XXXIII

Chicago @ House of David
Baltimore @ Indianapolis ABC’s
Portland @ Ottawa Mounties
San Francisco @ Brooklyn Royal Giants

Series XXXIII Featured Matchup: Chicago American Giants @ Wandering House of David

By mknn

On June 14, 2023

In Featured Series, Game Recaps

Series preview here.

#Game 1: David Price @ Wade Miley

Chicago’s David Price was masterful, allowing only 1 run and 3 hits in just shy of 8 innings, leading the American Giants to a 5-1 victory. Dick Allen hit his 21st homerun and Kevin Mitchell his 2nd for Chicago, who also got 2 hits from Frank Thomas and Duffy Lewis.

The American Giants got a bit of a scare in the 7th as a Scott Downs fastball slammed into Mike Fiore‘s face. The American Giants CF got up from the ground with blood streaming from their nose, and had to be replaced by Jack Doyle.

CAG 5 (Price 2-0) @ HOD 1 (Miley 7-5)
HRs: CAG – Allen (21), Mitchell (2); HOD – Edmonds (15).
Box Score

News after the game was good for Chicago: Fiore would only miss a few days with a broken nose and, perhaps, a new profile.

More importantly, Pete Browning has, at long last, accumulated enough plate appearances to qualify for the the league leader lists. Browning leads the league in BA at .354 and is 3rd in SLG at .636.

#Game 2: Mark Buehrle @ Frank Sullivan

The House of David got one back with a sterling starting performance of their own as Frank Sullivan pitched into the 9th inning having allowed only 1 run and 5 hits. Despite some recent struggles, Bruce Sutter was solid in relief, picking up his 20th save of the year.

Elrod Hendricks gave the House of David an early lead with his 33rd homerun of the year, a 2-run shot in the bottom of the first. They would double their lead in the 5th, first on an RBI double from Skeeter Barnes and then when Barnes pulled off a steal of home with 2 outs.

Chicago’s Mark Buehrle was the hard luck loser, allowing 7 hits in what turned out to be a complete game 8 innings.

CAG 1 (Buehrle 10-9) @ HOD 4 (Sullivan 9-8; Sutter 20 Sv)
HRs: CAG – Collins (18); HOD – Hendricks (33).
Box Score

#Game 3: Ben Sheets @ Jack Taylor

While Chicago considered sending Ed Walsh out instead of the struggling Ben Sheets, the American Giants decided in the end to keep their rotation intact, hoping Sheets can match up against the league’s best pitcher, Jack Taylor.

Homeruns from Frank Thomas and Cristóbal Torriente gave Chicago an early 3-0 lead, but Taylor settled down after that. Surprisingly, Sheets was even better, tossing a 3-hit shutout through 5 innings.

The 6th was decisive: a double by Duffy Lewis made it 4-0, and Dick Allen‘s 22nd homerun (and 99th RBI) chased Taylor with the score 6-0 Chicago. 3 more runs in the 7th made it 9-0, and the game seemed out of reach.

Seemed.

2 runs in the bottom of the inning put the House of David on the board, and then they exploded in the bottom of the 8th, fueled by a 2-run double by Pete Browning and a bases clearing double from Richie Hebner. Suddenly, it was 9-7 with Hebner on 3rd and 1 out. A single from Ron Santo–his 4th hit of the day–made it 9-8 and chased Don Newcombe from the mound. Hoyt Wilhelm got out of the inning, but suddenly we had a ballgame.

But AJ Minter closed it out for his 23rd save, and Chicago won a game that was far closer than it should have been. The win put Chicago ahead 2-1 in the series.

CAG 9 (Sheets 9-8; Minter 23 Sv; Wilhelm 3 H) @ HOD 8 (Taylor 14-9)
HRs: CAG – Thomas (24), Torriente (1), Allen (22); HOD – none.
Box Score

#Game 4: Tricky Nichols @ CC Sabathia

George Stone led off the bottom of the 1st with his 26th homerun, but Chicago answered with a bases-loaded double from Freddy Parent. Chicago’s Tricky Nichols never really settled down, giving up dingers to Jim Edmonds and Ernie Banks in the 3rd before another homerun, this one to Anthony Rizzo, chased him in the 4th.

CC Sabathia, meanwhile, was cruising, not allowing a run since Parent’s double through 6 innings. His relief didn’t do so well: a Dick Allen homerun started their 8th inning, and a flurry of singles brought in 3 more runs. That closed the gap to 8-7 in favor of the House of David.

But, much like the prior game, the closer came through: Bruce Sutter struck out 2 in a perfect 9th to give the House of David a series split.

CAG 7 (Nichols 14-8) @ HOD 8 (Sabathia 11-11; Sutter 21 Sv; Smith 13 H)
HRs: CAG – Allen (23); HOD – Stone (26), Edmonds (16), Banks (23), Rizzo (13).
Box Score

Series XXXIII Preview: Chicago American Giants @ Wandering House of David

By mknn

On June 9, 2023

In Featured Series, Series Previews

In Series XXXIII, we’ll focus in on the wild card race, where the Chicago American Giants lead the Wandering House of David by 1 game. We focused on Chicago (our first team to be highlighted in 5 separate series) in Series VI, XX, XXII, and XXX and on the House of David in Series V, XVI, and XXVI.

#Chicago American Giants

We just saw the American Giants, and not a lot has changed: the offense is still fearsome; the bench is still suspect; and the pitching is still a bit irregular.

Eddie Collins (310/406/510) leads the team in WAR, but is behind both Joe Jackson (1.014) and Frank Thomas (.950) in OPS. Those 3, plus Mike Fiore have OBPs over .400 and Dick Allen and Duffy Lewis join Collins, Jackson, and Thomas with SLG over .500.

Cristóbal Torriente should be back at full strength during the series, and Kevin Mitchell has solidified a claim on the other reserve OF spot. The weak spots here are Jack Doyle and Jackie Hayes on the IF, but Doyle’s flexibility keeps him an attractive roster option, while Hayes is just passing time until rosters expand in a few days.

Tricky Nichols at 14-7 leads the rotation, with both Dick Rudolph and Mark Buehrle having 10 wins apiece. One of the questions for Chicago is what to do with Ed Walsh, who has been excellent as a swing starter/long reliever–to the point where he may be preferred as a starter in the playoffs over Buehrle or Ben Sheets. The bullpen trio of Hoyt Wilhelm, Ken Sanders, and AJ Minter continues to impress.

#Wandering House of David

Pete Browning (358/394/642) should emerge onto WBL leaderboards either this series or next. When that happens, he will immediately take over the lead in BA and be 3rd in SLG. Another injury to Browning feels like virtually the only thing that could derail the House of David’s playoff push.

While Elrod Hendricks has been excellent since the year began–even with a recent slump, Hendricks is slashing 287/348/605 with 32 homeruns and 81 RBIs–the House of David has retooled their lineup with spectacular success all season. First it was Dan Ford (.833 OPS) taking over in RF, then it was Anthony Rizzo (.884 OPS) at 1B and Jim Edmonds in CF (1.011 OPS).

Jack Taylor has emerged as the dominant starter in the league, sitting at 14-8 with a 2.99 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. There is a significant gap between Taylor and the rest of the staff, but none of them are bad, they just don’t live up to Taylor’s standards. The back of the bullpen is developing nicely, with the trio of Ed Bauta (obtained mid-season), Lee Smith, and Tom Niedenfuer reliably bridging the gap to Bruce Sutter, who should be back to full strength in a day or two.

#Predicted Starters

Chicago starter listed first.

David Price (5-5, 4.46) @ Wade Miley (7-4, 5.11)
Mark Buehrle (10-8, 4.23) @ Frank Sullivan (8-8, 4.84)
Ben Sheets (8-8, 4.77) @ Jack Taylor (14-8, 2.99)
Tricky Nichols (14-7, 3.68) @ CC Sabathia (10-11, 4.86)

TWIWBL 40.0 – Series XXXII Notes

By mknn

On June 1, 2023

In TWIWBL

August 18th

Playoff Series of Note

From here on out, it’s pretty much all about the playoffs.

The Bill James Division has been thrown into a bit of chaos, with the Detroit Wolverines falling from first to third place over the past series. The Wolverines dropped 3 out of 4 to the New York Black Yankees, while the New York Gothams swept the Indianapolis ABC’s. That leaves the Gothams 1.5 games ahead of both Detroit and the Wandering House of David. The House of David will host the Chicago American Giants in the featured matchup of Series XXXIII, while Detroit has an easier opponent (the basement dwelling Memphis Red Sox) than the Gothams, who visit Birmingham.

Three consecutive losses leave the Cleveland Spiders clinging to a 1 game edge over the Black Yankees in the Effa Manley Division. This race is key as, right now, the Black Yankees would miss the postseason, trailing Portland for the final wild card slot by 2 games.

The Cum Posey and Marvin Miller Divisions remain unchanged, with Baltimore leading the American Giants by 4 games in the former and Birmingham clingnig to a 1/2 game lead over Portland in the latter.

Really, that’s it: Houston, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and Indianapolis are all between 5 and 10 games out of the wild card race, so technically we’re saying there’s a chance …

Performance

Batters

The MVP race really is between Babe Ruth, Ron Blomberg, and Doug Rader with Ruth having a clear edge.

Dick Allen (CAG). 302/373/533/ 10 3B.
Ron Blomberg (CLE). 340/408/645. 158 H, 36 HR.
George Brett (HOU). 273/304/407. 10 3B.
Ty Cobb (DET). 343/389/548.
Eric Davis (NYY). 274/350/520. 5.4 WAR.
Mike Fiore (CAG). 234/400/382. 98 BB.
Bobby Grich (LAA). 292/381/483. 41 2B.
Rickey Henderson (SFS). 272/402/363. 84 SB.
Kent Hrbek (POR). 309/382/602. 36 HR.
Joe Jackson (CAG). 336/422/592. 97 R.
Reggie Jackson (SFS). 318/438/592.
Stan Musial (KCM). 327/392/579. 41 2B.
Alejandro Oms (MCG). 258/309/402. 10 3B.
Doug Rader (LAA). 339/398/554. 161 H, 119 RBI.
Tim Raines (OTT). 289/365/432. 81 SB.
Babe Ruth (NYY). 316/433/661. 39 HR, 11o RBI, 104 R, 94 BB, 6.7 WAR.
Louis Santop (CLE). 304/334/462. 12 3B.

Pitchers

Starters

All 4 14 game winners are included.

Don Drysedale (BRK). 7-7, 3.77. 1.20 WHIP.
Lefty Grove (SFS). 12-7, 3.61. 178 Ks.
Ron Guidry (NYY). 6-10, 4.67. 162 Ks.
Christy Mathewson (NYG). 15-7, 3.61.
Dennis Martínez (BAL). 14-7, 3.64.
Tricky Nichols (CAG). 14-7, 3.68.
Alejandro Peña (BBB). 10-8, 3.71. 4.5 WAR, 3.42 FIP.
Andy Pettitte (KCM/BBB). 14-4, 3.14.
Eddie Plank (SFS). 10-5, 3.95. 1 Sv, 4.0 WAR, 3.30 FIP.
Jack Taylor (HOD). 14-8, 2.99. 1.13 WHIP.

Relievers

35 IP for rate stats.

Terry Adams (CLE). 2-6, 3.12. 29 Sv, 1H.
Mike Henneman (DET). 1-5, 4.74. 33 Sv.
Ken Howell (SFS). 4-4, 2.39. 4 Sv, 4 H. 0.98 WHIP.
* Sean Marshall (BAL). 5-0, 1.79. 1 Sv, 8 H, 0.98 WHIP.
Mike Norris (NYG). 4-3, 1.40. 5 Sv, 13 H.
Ron Reed (PHI/CLE). 0-6, 4.40. 3 Sv, 16 H.
Ron Robinson (SFS). 6-4, 3.86. 1 Sv, 16 H.
Ed Walsh (CAG). 8-6, 2.82. 5 H, 2.98 FIP.
Brian Wilson (NYG). 1-0, 1.00. 24 Sv, 1 H, 2.58 FIP.

* Currently injured.

Streaks

In terms of active streaks, Bobby Bonds (San Francisco) has hit in 20 consecutive games; Homestead‘s Rick Reichardt has homered in 5 consecutive (tying him for the WBL record); and Los Angeles’ Bobby Grich has reached base in 32 straight.

Kansas City‘s Boog Powell‘s consecutive streak of reaching base ended after an impressive 52 games.

Series Results

Series Sweeps in Series XXXII

New York Gothams over Indianapolis

Taking 3 out of 4 in Series XXXII

Baltimore over Cleveland
Chicago over Birmingham
Brooklyn over Homestead
New York Black Yankees over Detroit
Los Angeles over Miami Cuban Giants
House of David over Portland

Series Splits in Series XXXII

Houston @ Memphis
Ottawa Mounties @ Kansas City
Philadelphia Stars @ San Francisco

TWIWBL 39.0: Series XXXI Notes

By mknn

On May 5, 2023

In TWIWBL

August 14th

There’s less than a month left in the first season of the WBL. Well, the first season on OOTP, the first season in this form. Whatever.

One month to go and we still have pennant races in each of the four divisions. The playoffs have 3 rounds, with 8 teams making the post-season (the four division winners, and 4 wild cards).

Baltimore, who has the best record in the league at 74-52, also has the biggest lead, ahead of the Chicago American Giants by 4 games in the Cum Posey Division. But Chicago leads the wild card race, so both teams look likely to mkae the playoffs.

The Cleveland Spiders are ahead of the New York Black Yankees by 3 games in the Effa Manley Division. However, the Black Yankees are currently out of the playoffs entirely, also 3 games out of the wildcard race. The two teams meet in the final 4 games of the season, so if the Black Yankees can stay close, they’ll have a chance.

The Bill James Division is the tightest, with 3 teams currently slated to make the postseason, led by the Detroit Wolverines, who are 1.5 games ahead of the New York Gothams. The Wandering House of David are currently in the final wild card spot, only 1/2 game behind the Gothams. The House of David have a series left against each of the other two, so there is still plenty of opportunity for churn here.

Finally, over in the Marvin Miller Division, the shocking Birmingham Black Barons hold a narrow 1/2 lead over the Portland Sea Dogs. The race is close, but with Portland tied with Chicago for the lead in the wild card race, both teams seem likely to make the playoffs. The challenge here is for Birmingham, who have remaining series against Chicago, the Gothams, Baltimore, and Detroit.

Performance

Batters

Top 2 for each stat, leader in bold.

A 3-way tie for second place in the league in triples puts Houston‘s George Brett and Miami‘s Alejandro Oms on this list for the first time all season. On the one hand, neat-0, on the other hand, it dilutes from the overall excellence.

You know there are some classic old-school arguments going on: Los Angeles‘ 3B Doug Rader is leading the league in hits and RBIs and, you know, is just so valuable. But the argument just pales when faced with the overall dominance of the Black Yankees’ Babe Ruth.

Dick Allen (CAG). 308/378/538. 10 3B.
Ron Blomberg (CLE). 336/405/629. 152 H.
Ty Cobb (DET). 341/387/551.
Eric Davis (NYY). 278/353/530. 5.6 WAR.
George Brett (HOU). 278/305/411. 10 3B.
Mike Fiore (CAG). 238/404/390. 95 BB.
Bobby Grich (LAA). 292/380/483. 41 2B.
Rickey Henderson (SFS). 257/391/346. 81 SB.
Kent Hrbek (POR). 311/384/605. 36 HR.
Joe Jackson (CAG). 336/421/590. 95 R.
Reggie Jackson (SFS). 322/441/596.
Willie Mays (NYG). 323/388/530. 152 H.
Stan Musial (KCM). 330/391/588. 40 2B.
Alejandro Oms (MCG). 267/316/415/ 10 3B.
Doug Rader (LAA). 338/395/552. 157 H, 118 RBI.
Tim Raines (OTT). 297/373/445. 80 SB.
Babe Ruth (NYY). 317/435/669. 39 HR, 109 RBI, 103 R, 92 BB, 6.7 WAR.
Louis Santop (CLE). 299/329/459. 12 3B.

Pitching

Starters

6 pitchers have 13 wins each, but only the Gothams’ Christy Mathewson has reached 14. Mainly for depth, all six are listed. The House of David’s Jack Taylor is emerging as the best starter in the league.

Gerrit Cole (LAA). 13-7, 4.33.
Don Drysedale (BRK). 7-7, 3.74. 1.18 WHIP.
Lefty Grove (SFS). 12-7, 3.62, 174 Ks.
Ron Guidry (NYY). 6-10, 4.67. 162 Ks.
Pat Malone (CLE). 13-7, 3.99.
Dennis Martínez (BAL). 13-7, 3.65.
Christy Mathewson (NYG). 14-7, 3.73.
Alejandro Peña (BBB). 10-8, 3.56, 3.31 FIP, 4.6 WAR.
Eddie Plank (SFS). 10-5, 3.95. 3.30 FIP, 4.1 WAR.
Tricky Nichols (CAG). 12-7, 3.82.
Andy Pettitte (KCM/BBB). 13-4, 3.17.
Jack Taylor (HOD). 13-8, 3.07, 1.14 WHIP.

Relievers

There is an argument that the Gothams’ Mike Norris has been the most valuable reliever in the league, filling in impeccably in any role asked while getting the ball to closer Brian Wilson, who has proven virtually unhittable.

35 IP for rate stats.

Terry Adams (CLE). 2-6, 3.12. 29 Sv.
Mike Henneman (DET). 1-5, 4.86. 32 Sv, 1 H.
Ken Howell (SFS). 4-4, 2.44. 4 Sv, 9 H, 1.03 WHIP.
Sean Marshall (BAL). 5-0, 1.79. 1 Sv, 8 H, 0.98 WHIP.
Mike Norris (NYG). 4-3, 1.43. 5 Sv, 13 H.
Ron Reed (PHI/CLE). 0-6, 4.29. 3 Sv, 16 H.
Ron Robinson (SFS). 5-3, 3.58. 1 Sv, 16 H.
Brian Wilson (NYG). 1-0, 1.00. 24 Sv, 1 H.

Streaks

Lots of streaks ended last series, but the Boog lives on! Kansas City‘s Boog Powell has reached base in 51 straight games, extending his league record.

Houston’s Andrés Galarraga has a hit in his last 7 at-bats and has reached base 8 consecutive plate appearances: both marks are 1 shy of the league record.

Results

Series Sweeps in Series XXXI

None

Taking 3 out of 5 in Series XXXI

New York Gothams over Cleveland (1 makeup game from prior rainout)

Taking 3 out of 4 in Series XXXI

Baltimore over Los Angeles
House of David over Kansas City
Memphis Red Sox over Miami

Series Splits

Portland @ Birmingham
Philadelphia Stars @ Brooklyn Royal Giants
Chicago @ Indianapolis ABCs
San Francisco @ Detroit
Homestead Grays @ Ottawa Mounties
New York Black Yankees @ Houston

Series XXX Featured Matchup: Cleveland Spiders @ Chicago American Giants

By mknn

On April 19, 2023

In Featured Series, Game Recaps

Series preview here.

#Game 1: Cy Young @ Dick Rudolph

A win would pull Chicago to within a game of Baltimore, who lost in surprising fashion earlier in the day. It certainly looks like a possibility as Dick Rudolph, one of the hottest pitchers in the league, takes on Cleveland’s Cy Young, who has cooled off noticeably in recent starts.

Early, Young regained his form and Rudolph maintained his: both hurlers had shutouts through 4 innings.

That lasted until the bottom of the 6th, when a double from Joe Jackson and a triple–a TRIPLE–from Frank Thomas put Chicago up, 1-0. The American Giants bench then lost their collective mind, putting on a suicide squeeze (when Duffy Lewis missed the bunt, Thomas was, predictably, dead meat at the plate).

Rudolph lasted until one out in the 8th, when he was relieved by Hoyt Wilhelm. Tris Speaker delivered a pinch-hit single, but a wild pitch plated Chuck Knoblauch to tie the game. A third run scored on an error, putting Cleveland ahead 3-1, and making Rudolph’s fine performance all for naught.

John Ellis took Wilhelm deep in the top of the 9th, putting Cleveland ahead, 2-1. Terry Adams made it interesting, walking three in the bottom of the frame, but Jack Doyle grounded into a double play with the bases loaded to end the game.

CLE 3 (Gearrin 2-8; Adams 27 Sv) @ CHA 1 (Wilhelm 3-4, 1 B Sv)
HRs: CLE – Ellis (20); CHA – none.
Box Score

#Game 2: Mel Harder @ Tricky Nichols

Each team had a good chance to score in the opening frame, but Joe Jackson nailed a runner at the plate for the 3rd out in the top of the frame and Mel Harder got a nice play from Arky Vaughan at SS with two on base to close out the bottom half.

Cleveland would take the lead in the top of the 4th when Tricky Nichols walked Ron Blomberg and gave up doubles to John Ellis and Jake Stahl, giving the Spiders a 2-0 lead. Johnny Bates added an RBI single in the 5th while Harder was superb, tossing a 2-hit shutout through 5 innings.

Nichols was chased in the 6th, but his replacement, Ken Sanders, plunked Sammy Strang to bring in Cleveland’s 4th run.

Harder was running on fumes, but had still only given up 2 hits through 7. With 1 out in the 9th–and having thrown 130 pitches–Harder gave up a double to Duffy Lewis and was replaced by Chuck Porter, who completed the combined 3-hit shutout.

CLE 4 (Harder 4-1) @ CAG 0 (Nichols 12-7)
HRs: none.
Box Score

#Game 3: Pat Malone @ David Price

Pat Malone–who???–tries to become the first pitcher in the league to reach 14 wins as Cleveland looks to cement a series win.

Malone will have to wait, as the game was canceled due to rain, to be made up as part of a doubleheader the following day, but the opening game featured the same matchup, with Malone taking on Chicago’s David Price.

Price struggled in the first, giving up a run on a double by Lance Berkman, but induced an inning ending double play from Louis Santop to escape with the score 1-0 Cleveland. Price settled down after that, allowing only the 1 run on 3 hits through 5; Malone was sailing along with a 2-hit shutout as well.

That lasted until the 6th, when Duffy Lewis singled in 2 with a 2 out knock. Dick Allen followed with his 19th homerun of the year, pushing the American Giants lead to 4-1. Both pitchers made it through 7 full innings, with the score unchanged.

Akinori Otsuka was greeted by a single by Jake Stahl, and another by Ron Blomberg. Chicago’s LF, Duffy Lewis, had Stahl dead for rights at 3B, but his throw was high for his first error of the year, scoring Stahl and putting Blomberg at second with no outs. Otsuka settled down, however, and the Spiders could only manage the single run, cutting the lead to 4-2.

AJ Minter pitched a perfect 9th for his 20th save, giving Chicago a chance to even the series in the second half of the doubleheader.

CLE 2 (Malone 13-6) @ CAG 4 (Price 1-0; Minter 20 Sv; Otsuka 3 H)
HRs: CLE – none; CAG – Allen (19).
Box Score

#Game 4: Bill Steen @ Mark Buehrle

Chicago’s Mark Buehrle will take on the Spiders’ Bill Steen in the nightcap as the American Giants try to earn a series split by sweeping the twinbill.

Steen gave up Joe Jackson‘s 25th homerun in the bottom of the first for an early 2-0 lead for Chicago. Duffy Lewis and Mike Fiore would add RBI singles, increasing the lead to 4-0 while Buehrle was spinning a 4-hit shutout through 6 innings, despite 2 errors in the field behind him.

Buehrle was relieved by Ed Walsh with 2 outs in the 7th. Despite being greeted by a pinch-hit double by Johnny Bates, Walsh got out of the inning with the shutout preserved, and proceeded to close out the game as an 8-hit combined shutout.

Chicago added 2 more runs–the first on an error by Lance Berkman, the second on a solo shot by Carlton Fisk. Jackson ended the game with 3 hits, as did José Abreu, who had been mired in a horrible slump.

CLE 0 (Steen 8-3) @ CAG 7 (Buehrle 9-8)
HRs: CLE – none; CAG – Jackson (25), Fisk (10).
Box Score

Series XXX Preview: Cleveland Spiders @ Chicago American Giants

By mknn

On April 12, 2023

In Featured Series, Series Previews

We focused on Cleveland just 2 series ago, in Series XXVIII, as well as in Series XIX and VII while Chicago was featured in Series XXII, Series XX, and Series VI.

Neutral viewers will be rooting for Chicago: if they do well, they will close their gap with Baltimore in the Cum Posey Division while helping pull the Spiders back to within reach of the New York Black Yankees in the Effa Manley Division.

Cleveland Spiders

Not much has changed for Cleveland since we last saw them: the starting pitching is still excellent, if without a truly dominant front of the rotation arm. Pat Malone is 13-5, but really the quintet of Malone, Stan Coveleski, Cy Young, Bill Steen, and Mel Harder are fairly interchangeable. Strong pitching throughout the rotation is clearly an edge on other teams. Probably the most important question on the mound for Cleveland is if Ron Reed can regain the form he had with Philadelphia.

The offense continues to revolve around Ron Blomberg (335/405/636, 32 HR, 91 RBI), John Ellis (288/349/540, 19 HR) and Jake Stahl (279/340/529, 20 HR). The offensive questions remain the same: Sammy Strang gets on base, but does little else at 3B, and SS Arky Vaughan is still an unknown quantity since being acquired a few days ago.

Perhaps the biggest challenge is how to get Tris Speaker (385/467/846 in only 15 PAs) some more plate appearances. Kenny Lofton (296/379/391) has done well in CF, meaning Speaker is blocked at his primary position, but the team does need to know if Speaker can maintain anything close to that level of performance.

Before the series, the commissioner’s office finally approved the inclusion of Stan Bahnsen in the Spiders’ trade with Homestead. Bahnsen was sent to AAA for the meantime.

Chicago American Giants

While not yet following Indianapolis into the uncharted waters of a 6-man rotation, Chicago does need to do something to get Ed Walsh more innings. Tricky Nichols leads the staff with a 12-6 record, but there’s really not a lot between Nichols, Dick Rudolph, Mark Buehrle, Ben Sheets, and the newly-acquired David Price.

But they’re all a clear notch below Cleveland’s starters.

Closer AJ Minter is–finally–back from his stint on the DL. OF Magglio Ordoñez was the odd man out, with the American Giants preferring a deeper staff to Ordoñez’ glove in RF.

Chicago has 4 batters with an OPS over 900–RF Joe Jackson (333/420/584), 1B/DH Frank Thomas (312/425/535), 2B Eddie Collins (313/405/531), and 3B Dick Allen (309/378/543). The rest of the lineup is above-average as well–LF Duffy Lewis has 23 HRs, SS Freddy Parent continues to produce at an all-star level since being acquired from Ottawa, CF Mike Fiore has an OBP of .400 and C Carlton Fisk‘s .800 OPS is excellent for a backstop.

Series XXII Preview: Chicago American Giants @ Miami Cuban Giants

By mknn

On July 27, 2022

In Series Previews

{ Whoops, this should have been posted before the prior post. }

If the Chicago American Giants seem somewhat familiar, it’s because they were just featured in Series XX. We first saw them way back in Series VI.

This is only the 2nd appearance for the Miami Cuban Giants, who we first saw in Series XI. They are the last team to get their second features, perhaps appropriate for one of the weakest teams in the WBL.

#Chicago American Giants

Chicago comes into this series in 2nd place, 3 games behind Baltimore in the Cum Posey Division. They’re a good team, among the best offensively with a pitching staff that is better in the rotation than the bullpen.

The American Giants are led by a powerful quintet: OFs Joe Jackson and Duffy Lewis and IFs Frank Thomas (although he’s more a DH than a 1B), Eddie Collins, and Dick Allen. Jackson leads in BA, SLG, and OPS (328, 579, and 990, respectively); Lewis in HR (21), Thomas in OBP and RBI (429, 70), Collins in SB (38). It’s an insane lineup for opposing hurlers to get through.

Tricky Nichols leads the way on the mound at 9-3 with a 3.67 ERA while Ben Sheets is 7-5, 3.45. The key here is that none of the other starters–Mark Buehrle and newcomers Dick Rudolph and Don Newcombe–have been bad, making the staff fairly consistent.

If there is an issue for Chicago, it’s the bullpen. Closer AJ Minter (15 saves, 2.18) has been excellent, but getting to him as been a struggle at times, leading to the midseason acquisition of Hoyt Wilhelm.

#Miami Cuban Giants

The Cuban Giants are young, and bad, with what is most likely the league’s worst offense, and a pitching staff not far behind.

José Canseco (291/359/510, 18 HR) has been the one consistent bright spot, and while 1B Will Clark and the more recently promoted C Alan Ashby and Gary Sheffield have been solid, the rest have been pretty miserable.

Rube Waddell and Camilo Pascual have been solid, even occasionally excellent as starters. But after that … the less said the better. Similarly, Aroldis Chapman clearly has an elite arm at closer, but the rest of the bullpen has been quite a mess, although Phenomenal Smith has been excellent since his very recent recall from AAA.

As a point of curiosity, Eustaquio Pedroso and Martín Dihigo both look promising as 2-way players.

#Series Matchups

Chicago starter listed first.

Mark Buehrle (6-7, 4.40) @ Roenis Elías (2-2, 5.60)
Dick Rudolph (6-4, 4.20) @ José Méndez (2-2, 6.25)
Don Newcombe (2-10, 5.80) @ Eustaquio Pedroso (4-5, 5.95)
Ben Sheets (7-5, 3.45) @ Camilo Pascual (4-8, 3.67)

#Series Predictions

With Nichols missing the series, I think Miami can win 1 game. Of course, with Waddell missing it, perhaps not even that. But I’ll stick with 3-1, Chicago.

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.