Damn Gophers

Brian Jung won 21 games in the regular season. He's a 2-time all-star; he's thrown 228+ innings each of the past 3 seasons; he has a career era of 3.57; and he's won 90 games at age 26. For all of these reasons, dyuen's faith in him to start 3 games in the NLCS, including the decisive game 7, was a no-brainer.

But, Jung didn't make it out of the first inning of game 7. In fact, he didn't retire a single batter. After allowing line singles to the first two hitters, Jose Cordero and Magglio Lee hit back-to-back homers. dyuen trudged to the mound and yanked the shell-shocked 26-year old hurler. It was all down-hill from there as Burlington put up 7 in the first and 4 more in the second on their way to a 16-1 Game 7 victory in Mexico City.

A closer look reveals a startling trend with Jung. In the past three regular seasons he's thrown about 230 innings and allowed 22, 18, and 21 home runs in the entire season. However, in the past three post-seasons, 19 home runs in just 69 innings. For his career, he's allowed 24 HR's in 90.2 post-season innings. Clearly, for some reason, October is the month for gophers for Brian Jung. Perhaps he can hire Bill Murray to help him with his problem.

Bulldog fire sale? or not?

Rumors continue to swirl that the Burlington Bulldogs are trying to move their best players. But, the Bulldogs have the biggest lead in the NL at 7 games and are the 4-time defending NL East Champs. So why would a seemingly successful franchise be so keen to rebuild?

1 - PLAYOFFS? WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE PLAYOFFS?
As Bulldog player-personnel chief Jim Mora found out, team owner mike1184 is all about winning in the post-season. Winning the NL East is a little like beating up your neighbor's kid brother. Yeah, it's nice to have won the fight, but you ain't exactly Joe Frazier. The 'Dogs have knocked the aging and reeling Crownrificos out of the playoffs in 3 of the last 4 years. Only in Season 7 were they also able to take out the powerful Mexico City Bandejos. Some locals refer to mike1184 as the Steinbrenner of Vermont and with a 3-time division winning manager like Bob Coppinger being let go before the season - who can blame them? In fact, Bulldog management so bad-mouthed the departing Coppinger, that he had to settle for a Low-A job with Houston.

2 - Maple Syrup?

Bulldog owner mike1184 made his fortune in the Maple Syrup business. The low-carb crazy started by the South Beach diet hit the bottom line. Now, with the economy in the tank, Aunt Jemima is finding her way onto more tables while the authentic stuff and it's higher price tag stays on grocery shelves. Could the pullback in the syrup industry be hitting the bottom line too hard for the 'Dogs to continue paying franchise legends like Patsy Lindsey.

3 - Tony Soprano?
Miguel Gutierrez recently broke his leg stealing 2b against the Mexico City Bandejos. It seemed like a freak accident, but Bandejo 2B Jalal Rivera didn't seem particularly remorseful for landing on Guitierrez' leg. There have long been whispers that Rivera is connected to organized crime. In fact, many have theorized that he moved to Mexico to escape the street gangs of Virginia. But, could there still be a connection? Auditors have noticed irregularities with the Bulldog books and it could be that the struggling owner turned to a mob loan to finance team operations. When the team couldn't pay, and trades couldn't clear enough cap room, perhaps a message had to be sent.

Sure it's all rumors, but the talk continues.

Home Sweet ... WTF?

Home field advantage isn't in the NL. In both first round series, the wild card teams went on the road and took 2 games from the division champs. Both Nashville and San Juan returned home needing to win just once to close out Sioux Falls and Burlington respectively. Neither did. That makes the home teams 0-8 in the first round of the NL this year.

Game 5 takes place this cycle with Rosario Rosado starting for Nashville in Sioux Falls against Sean Moore.

Rafael Rosado Nashville Harmonies Age: 25 B/T: R/R Born: Colon, PA Position(s): P (SP2) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Sean Moore Sioux Falls Dakota Age: 28 B/T: R/R Born: Ennis, MT Position(s): P (SP2) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

In San Juan, Burlington will send ace Pedro DeRojas against Crownrifico ace Ronn Thomas.

Pedro DeRojas Burlington Bulldogs Age: 24 B/T: S/L Born: Chinandega, NI Position(s): P (SP5) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Ronn Thomas San Juan Crownrificos Age: 29 B/T: S/R Born: Tustin, CA Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Playoff Preivew (NL)

1- Mexico City (119-43) - The Bandejos hit 36 more HR's than any other NL team and allowed 79 fewer runs than any other NL squad. That's how you win 119 games.
Key Player: The murderer's row of Alex Shibata, Jalal Rivera, and Del Gil each hit 50 HR's (exactly) this season.
Weakness: Only San Juan, Pittsburgh, and Memphis had fewer + plays in the NL. Ok, I'm stretching, they won 119 games, what should I say?
History: In the last 6 years, the Bandejos have won 3 division titles and 3 World Series. Oddly, the two have never occured in the same season. Will this be the year the division title jinx fails?

4- Burlington (74-88) - Only Sioux Falls had fewer - plays than the Bulldogs but finishing 4th from the bottom in runs scored and with the worst record ever to make the playoffs tags them as a longshot.
Key Player: The Bulldogs might start sub .500 pitchers in the first two games of the series, so slugger Miguel Gutierrez better come through against the Crownrificos.
Weakness: Closer Mateo Mairena was a stellar 32-36 in save opportunities, but the rest of the pen managed to blow 16 leads late in games.
History: This is a 3rd straight division title for the Bulldogs, but a first round matchup with defending champ San Juan followed by a potential date with the powerful Bandejos makes them the longest of longshots.

5- San Juan (103-59) - The Crownrificos are back to defend their WS title (their 3rd in 8 years). They've scored more runs than any NL team, but do so without running. If fact, no team stole fewer bases the San Juan's 63.
Key Player: A balanced offense saw 11 players hit double digit HRs, but Lenny Ohman will be counted on to make key starts after Cy Young candidate Phil Martin.
Weakness: This team plays awful defense. It's not that they make errors, it's that they just don't get to balls. They finshed ahead of only Memphis is + plus and - plays. Perhaps nowhere is the lack of range more apparent than in CF where Felix Turner lumbers around.
History: They've never missed the playoffs and have won 3 WS titles. Interestingly, they either win the WS or fail to get out of the Division Series, so there fate may decided early, particularly in a looming 2nd round matchup with arch-rival Mexico City.

2- Sioux Falls (99-63) - The Dakota are arguably the best fielding team in the playoffs and they can pitch too with Bartolo Gonzalez and Paul Rhodes forming a dominating 1-2 punch. However, the lineup doesn't exactly strike fear into opponents, finishing a middling 7th in the NL in runs scored. Only San Juan stole fewer bases.
Key Player: 3b Jesus Astacio had a breakout year. He must be a run producer in the playoffs for the Dakota to succeed.
Weakness: They just don't hit enough, primarily because the top of the order has lacked consistency and performance throughout the season.
History: The Dakota have won their division every year, but are just 1 for 4 in trips to the league championship series. In the past, the bullpen has failed in the post-season, will this year's acquisitions help break that trend?

3- Cheyenne (95-67) - The Seminoles hit just 176 HRs but managed to finish 4th in the NL in runs scored because they led the league in batting average and stole the 2nd most bases in the NL.
Key Player: C Bart Carlyle can dominate a game, especially if speed merchants Ichiro Kuo and Sherman Prince manage to reach base.
Weakness: The bullpen is a mess. "Closer" Adam Edwards boasts a 6.63 ERA and the team blew 23 saves this year.
History: Cheyenne is in the playoffs for the 3rd time in 4 years but they've yet to make an LCS. However, this is the first time they'll avoid the NL South powerhouses in rounds 1 and 2.

6- Helena (93-69) - Nobody topped the 96 quality starts of the Helena rotation. Will their 5th in the NL scoring offense be enough?
Key Player: Curtis James and Carl Prince, Helena's two young starters must keep the team in the game until their balanced but unintimidating offense can give them a chance.
Weakness: They don't like to walk and the team's .339 OBP is far and away the worst in the playoffs.
History: The Hound Dogs finally return to the playoffs after a 7-year abscense. Can they scratch the itch?

Fearless predictions: Burlington get's swept after almost deciding to forfeit their opening round series when more tickets are sold to Crownrifico hooligans than locan Burlingtonites for the home games. Cheyenne and Helena play a knock-down, drag-out series that turns on Cheyenne's ability to run on Helena's battery. The Seminoles sneak through on experience. Mexico City overcomes the division title jinx by eliminating San Juan but is stunned by Cheyenne in LCS.

Is the East the new West?

Burlington currently leads the NL East with a 67-75 records, 8 games below .500. That's good enough enough for them to lead the division by 6.5 games over the Augusta Storm and makes it very likely the Second City will see it's first sub .500 playoff team.

In fact, Burlington's current record makes them the 10th best team in the 16-team NL, earning them the tallest midget award.

Coco Crisp Snap, Crackle, and Profile: Footsie Wall

In another exciting race, Footsie Wall (6 votes) narrowly defeated heavy favorite, Stuffy Brunette (5 votes), to take the Coco Crisp bracket.

Footsie Wall Burlington Bulldogs Age: 25 B/T: L/L Born: New York, NY Position(s): P (SP6) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Footsie, a 25-year old pitcher for the Burlington Bulldogs, was drafted with the 6th pick of the 1st round in Season 3. Footsie is the 2nd winner from the state of New York, hailing from New York City, which of course begs the question: How the hell do these New Yorkers come up with names. One popular story has it that Footsie's father, Paul Wall, when asked how big his baby boy was, replied to fellow rapper, Slim Thug, "about a foot". Thug said, "What do you mean?" The proud papa held his foot up next to the newborn and said "foot, see?" A passing nurse market it down, and hence, Footsie Wall was named. To this day, former partner, Chamillionaire busts Paul's for the name choice.

As a player, Footsie has lived up to his draft status. He debuted in the majors in season 7 with an impressive 15-4 performance. He was moved to the bullpen for the playoffs where he threw 14 effective innings. He threw another effective 180 innings last season, posting a 4.34 ERA while winning 11.

1st round matchups

Richmond (92-70) vs Cincinnati (94-68, WC) - Richmond makes it's 4th consecutive trip to the playoffs following a division win while Cincy is playing in imaginary October for the 1st time ever. The Confederates really bang the ball, hitting 321 HR's, good for 2nd in the league. The Great Americans made a name on their pitching staff, leading the AL in ERA. They also outscored the 'Feds by 26 runs on the season due to their furious legs, stealing a league-high 309 bases.

Questions to answer: Can jack rabbits Manny Corey, Travis Mota, and crew be held in check by Fed catcher Eric Richardson who napped just over 30% of those attempting to run on him this year?

Can Great Americans starters Grover Little and Max Molina hold the down the Fed bats?
Monterrey (93-69) vs Texas (93-69, WC) - Monterrey won a tie-breaker to gain home field advantage over division rival Texas. The 'Quistas are making their 8th consecutive trip to the post season, still in search of their first world title. They bring a .302 team average and the best defense in the AL to the party. Meanwhile, the Riders are making their post season debut behind a balanced squad that finished above average in most categories.

Questions to answer: Can strong-armed Jaime Anderson slow record-setting running by 'Quista leadoff man Roberto Servet (129 SB)?

Will Monterrey Pitching Coach Rigo Valdez' unortodox e-man rotation excel or fold in the post-season?


Burlington (90-72) vs San Juan (97-65, WC) - Burlington shocked 2nd city powerhouses San Juan and Mexico City in last season's playoffs. They hold the home-field advantage, but San Juan was 7 games better and is out for blood. The Bulldogs hit just .259 as a team and finished 9th in the NL in runs scored while the Crownrificos led the league in runs scored and finished 2nd in HRs. The 'Rificos also have a big advantage in the pen where the Bulldogs converted just 49 or 74 save opportunities.

Questions to answer: Can Burlington repeat last year's exciting run by improving upon their 23-28 record in one-run games?

Is a Crownrifico team made up largely of 30+ year-olds up for a long playoff run?

Sioux Falls (103-59) vs Cheyenne (96-66, WC) - Sioux Falls is the reigning WS champ and they recently added ace pitcher Bartolo Gonzalez to one of the top rotations in the game, but a faltering bullpen caused a late-season skid. Cheyenne makes its 4th career post season trip, but they haven't been past round 1 since Season 1. They're the worst fielding team in the post season, but can score runs in bunches.

Questions to answer: Will Cheyenne be able to hit top starters Bartolo Gonzalez and Paul Rhodes, whom they might face in 4 of the 5 games?

Can a struggling Sioux Falls bullpen close out playoff games after blowing 24 save opportunities?

Season Preview Part Four - NL East

The Burlington Bulldogs shocked the Second City World, knocking off both heavy favorites San Juan and Mexico City in the playoffs. Even an NLCS loss to eventual champion Sioux Falls did not dim the spirits in Burlington where rookie-of-the-year Miguel Guitierrez and young ace Pedro DeRojas are the favorites to repeat.

Burlington Bulldogs
History - Franchise founder shultz11 declared bankruptcy following an 82-80 Season 1. The bank moved the team to Syracuse while a buyer for the team's assets was sought. mike came along in season 3 and purchased the team, returning it to Burlington Vermont. Since taking over the team, mike has brought it back, rising from 59-103 years in seasons 3-4 to division winning 91-71 finish last year. The squad topped it off with a stunning pair of upsets, knocking down both NL South powers San Juan and Mexico City in the playoffs, roughly the equivalent of the European representative to the Little League World Series knocking off both the Asian and Caribbean entrants in consecutive games.

The new owner made his fortune in maple syrup, farming some of Vermont's best in the forest around Burlington. Forests being unsecure though, the product had to be protected while the trees were tapped. A pack of bulldogs, recruited for their furosity and lack of interest in moving too far away from the syrup, guarded the goods overnight, and gave the Bulldogs their nickname.

Strengths - 22-year old Pedro DeRojas won 16 games as a 20-year old. He's on his way to becoming one of the true aces of 2nd city. Rookie of the year Miguel Gutierrez speed, power, and great strike zone judgment. He'll be patrolling LF for many years. A few other young players offer glimpses of what could be a team to be reckoned with for many years.

Weaknesses - 39-year old Fred Bagley won double digit games (16-10) and threw 200 innings for the the first time in 4 seasons last year. He's being counted on as the #2 starter. Starters 4 & 5 are talented but young, always risky.

Odds - 3:2 to win the division, 13:1 to win the pennant - can they recapture the post-season magic of Season 7 now that they can't sneak up on anyone?

Augusta Storm
History - After 5 seasons of increasing payroll and decreasing wins, hartel moved the franchise out of New York and choose Augusta, hoping the Storm would be as successful after leaving New York as the Dodgers have been. A division title was encouraging, but the squad is re-grouping after a 3rd place finish last year. But fiscal sanity has been brought to the team, and the kids are the future.

The Storm, Maine's only imaginary sports franchise, is named for the Perfect Storm. While the story was told on the big screen, it affected ownership deeply. Hartel had just landed a moderate-sized catch when George Clooney headed for the Flemish Cap. A giant Japanese tour group was headed to Maine and looking to eat fish. When Clooney sank, hartel made a fortune in little known Maine Cod Bubble. Shortly thereafter, he invested in the a struggling baseball franchise and the rest is history.

Strengths - Since leaving the big city, the Storm have invested in pitching and defense. The team can really pick it, but the staff is still rounding into shape. There's quality there, including Pedro DeRejoas' older brother Del down in the pen.

Weaknesses - The lineup lacks a power bat. In fact, this might be the least powerful lineup in the league. The financial scars of New York still show and the team may need another year or two for the pitching and hitting to match the defense

Odds - 4:1 to win division, 30:1 to win the pennant

Washington DC Honor and Courage
History - The franchise has spent time in Hartford, Norfolk, and Charlotte, with the high point coming in a Season 3 trip to the World Series. The price was high however as the team spent heavily in the free agent market, including signing Dick Caruso to a league maximum contract. Some other big deals financially hamstrung the franchise and they're just now recovering as new owner and media mogul, darrenmaybee has made several big deals, shedding some payroll and trying to get younger.

The Honor and Courage are named for the Airborne Warriors, members of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, a highly decorated unit from Vietnam. Their stories were chronicalled in an online book, published under darrenmaybee's pseudonym. The book launched maybee's career which now includes a media empire including an intricate statistical publication entitled maybee you should look at the numbers, oft quoted on this blog, and his own radio station, Easy-Dee's listing, smooth jazz, which also broadcasts on the Honor & Courage games.

Strengths - Former porn-star and Hawaiian-born left fielder Rob Henderson leads the offense and his career .303 BA and substantial power make him a force to be reckoned with. Young 1B Jarrod Overbay (24) promises to reach base frequently. If his power develops, he could become a top 1B.

Weaknesses - The rotation needs a lot of help. When your Opening Day starter went 10-13 last year, there's a good chance that you'll need to score a lot to win. Shortstop Vin Torres averaged an error every three games the last time he was a regular at the position. His below-average defensive skills do not promise to help a rotation that sorely needs it.

Odds - 30:1 to win the division, 250:1 to win the pennant - bad pitching and defense needs some heavy hitting - this lineup isn't heavy enough for this staff.

Pawtucket Quahog Crush
History - The Crush are an original franchise and have remained remarably consistent, winning between 80 and 88 games in each of the first 6 seasons. Financial pressures, an aging staff, and a sharp downturn in beer sales by franchise owner sriram12078's brewery caused the team falter last season, winning just 72. Three previous playoff appearances did not yield a trip to the NLCS.

The Quahog Crush continue to feud with the Augusta franchise for territorial rights. Pawtucket plays 4 games a year in Quahog, Maine, hometown of their Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations, Brian Griffin. They claim this gives them exclusive territorial rights throughout Maine. However, commissioner Wendt has disagreed, allowing the Storm to operate in Maine.

Strengths - Shortstop Alex Kelly is a Crush legend, with a 132 HR's and 172 SB in his 7-year career. However, his glove has not fared well on Pawtuckett's legendarily bumpy infield. The team has some thumpers, with 23-year old RF Paxton Ward appearing to be a future star in a group of power hitters that boasts Ross Baker, .340, 51 HR's and a runner-up finish in the MVP voting after being acquired from Las Vegas a year ago.

Weaknesses - Crush pitching coach Stan Griffen (Brian's uncle) jumped from AA to the majors and has caused quite a stir with his use of the 3-man tandem rotation. The strategy maximizes the appearances by top pitchers without over-taxing them on innings. But, you still need quality pitchers, with 6 guys pitching every three days and this staff isn't there yet.

Odds - 8:1 to win the division, 40-1 to win the pennant, young hitting will be dangerous but too many runs allowed will keep this team in the 2nd division.