Monday, May 28, 2012

Outlaw Nation Happy with Block I


Outlaw fans and management have no complaints after a successful road-heavy 2012 NASBL block I.  A 9 game division lead, a .654 road winning percentage, out-homering opponents 3-1 at Wreckin' So Field, Justin Masterson's 6-1, 2.48 record, Adrian Beltre's 13 HR, 33 RBI start, Kimbrel and Venter's 14 saves, Adrian Gonzalez's .342 BA and 31 RBI, and NASBL league leading .824 X-percentage and 3.08 ERA are all putting smiles on the Outlaw Pond faithful.

Disappointments are minor.  Matt Kemp's .254 batting average fails to wow, although his 30 runs, 10 HR, 30 RBI and 14 SB are excellent production.  More was expected of Tim Hudson than a 3-3 record, but his 3.90 ERA is solid and suggests some hard-luck, and Alfredo Aceves' 4.15 ERA is a disappointment, but his 3-1 record is good.

Questions remain.  Why hasn't management pulled the string an a trade to bring a big gun playoff weapon to Outlaw?  A strong starting pitcher card or another big left-handed hitting card could help to shorten those unpredictable NASBL playoff series.  The brass does hint that they are still working the phones, but say that improving on the team we already have on the field isn't easy.  

Why hasn't fireballing rookie Craig Kimbrel been handed the closer job outright?  Well, management is very happy with Jonny Venter's 6 out of 7 save conversion and miniscule 1.14 ERA, and this bullpen is easily deep enough to micro-manage duties, so the unconventional lefty-righty closer platoon just might continue.

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