With the mid season break upon us, it’s time to look at a few of the questions facing teams around the league.
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Questions:
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Merrimack Owls
Can slow and steady win the race?
With two series victories in as many attempts the Owls should be in a strong position for the post season, but a first game stumble by a usually reliable Owls pitching staff against the Westport Fleas, they are locked into a tie atop the division with the Hens’. The Owls will more than likely need a repeat of the first half to have a shot at the automatic birth in the NLCS and that means (for a second time) slowing down a potent Mudhens lineup and a hungry Fleas team… With the second highest OBP and runs, the Owls are a formidable opponent that might be able to right the slow and steady approach into the playoffs.
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McCall Mudhens
Can they keep up the offensive pace?
The Mudhens quite simply have been the class of the HBL when it comes to hitting. McCall charges into the second half with a 4-2 season mark and boast HBL leading stats in hits, doubles, home runs, total bases, and runs.
One early indicator is how they do in their first series after the break against the 1-5 Westport Fleas. The previous three games tilted heavily in McCall’s favor as the Hens’ scored 53 of their 81 runs in the series and dominated the Fleas pitching. If they can repeat that feat in the second series they will position themselves for the post-season. |
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Westport Fleas
Can they wake-up in time?
With a disappointing first half of the season, the Westport Fleas look to go on a run in the second half. They are near the bottom of several offensive categories and Buck O’Neill will more than likely look to shake up his lineup in the second half in hopes of generating more runs to right the sinking ship. Other questions are weather it is too late to catch the two teams ahead of them and does it matter if they can get on the same kind of run that as the Boggstown Boilers did last year during their championship run.
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Boggstown Boilers
Can the champs repeat?
The Boggstown Boilers have looked like champions during the first half of the season. With Ty Cobb leading the way, they lead the league in batting average and on-base percentage and have shown that their offense is up to the task. With Robin Roberts boasting a 2-0 record and a minuscule 6.48 era, the pitching has been formidable as well… Can the Boilers continue their march toward greatness by winning back-to-back HBL titles? It’s looking good in Boggstown.
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Fogelberg Falcons
Can the pitching hold up?
While looking over the offensive stats it is puzzling how this team is locked into a first place tie with a 4-2 record. The Falcons have posted the lowest offensive totals in batting average, hits, walks, on-base percentage, and runs. On the flip side, Johnny Podres and the Falcons pitching staff had allowed fewer runs (56) than any other team in the American League.
The Falcons have to be considered a major wild card heading into the second half as they seem to still be looking for their offensive stroke. One constant for Don Zimmer and this franchise is finding a way to win. Look out if they can keep pitching the way they have and find some clutch hitting.
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Joplin Crawdads
Can the draught continue?
After a scorching start to the season and a 20-16 win against the Boilers, the Joplin Crawdads offense has steadily declined into the cellar with 21 runs scored in their previous 3 games combined leading up to the break. The lack of clutch hitting by single season juggernaut Rogers Hornsby has been a notable story in the first half (1-5) for the Dads’ as has the remarkable pitching of tough luck pitcher Charlie Liebrandt (1-1).
One stat that manager Dave Duncan has to be looking at is total bases. The Dads’ posted the second highest total in the HBL with 147. If they can get a few base runners on ahead of the natural power in the lineup then a recovery in the second half is inevitable.
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About Joe
I have been playing Cadaco All Star Baseball since before I knew what numbers were! ... After creating hundreds of discs, several original designs for stadiums and helping to brainstorm goofy additions to the game, I would LOVE to hear what YOU are doing with the game. My hope is to build a long lasting web community with a growing set of cool online ASB features!
