Metro Stars Week In Review, 6/17/39-6/23/39 (2039 - #11)

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Metro Stars Week In Review, 6/17/39-6/23/39 (2039 - #11)

Post by ThePreyingManta » Wed Jul 24, 2019 10:21 pm

Record: 2-4 Run Differential: -4

The Metro Stars needed a big week coming off of a rough two weeks. They would find no comfort in series against Jerusalem and Bucharest, but first they faced Beirut in the final game of the series. Beirut struck first with four 1st inning runs off of Metro Stars’ starter Mike Manning. Thanks to a solo homer from LF Alfredo Gonzalez, a triple from RF Jesus Fernandez, and a two-run bomb from CF Dave Molina, Mumbai tied it back up in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Beirut came storming back with a monster seven-run 5th that the Metro Stars were unable to recover from. Beirut took game three 12-6.

Following an off-day, the Metro Stars took on Jerusalem in a big series. The Hebrew Hammers scored early against Metro Stars’ starter Tim Oliver to go ahead in the 1st. Jerusalem starter Angel Guerrero and closer Hector Barajas shut down the Mumbai offense, who only scored one run. Jerusalem took game one, 4-1. Irving Espinoza made his second start with the Metro Stars in the second game of the series. The Hammers got to him early, but he settled down after allowing three runs in the 1st inning. After tying the game up in the 3rd, the Metro Stars pulled ahead in the 6th thanks to a big three-run homer by Roberto Perez. The Stars would go on to score four more in the 8th and 9th to win the game 12-6. The rubber match of the series was a hard-fought contest that went back and forth throughout the game. Reese Rayner pitched his sixth consecutive quality start, but Rafael Cruz was unable to hold onto the lead in the 9th inning. Hebrew Hammers’ right fielder Flynn Johnson delivered a walkoff single to win the series for Jerusalem.

Game one in another big series against Bucharest kicked off with the Impalers scoring two early runs against Leonardo Gomez. Homers from Michael MacCrain and Dave Molina brought the score into Mumbai’s favor, and the bullpen held on to win the first game. Game two was a different story, as Impalers’ starter Tim Collier rolled through seven innings, surrendering only one run. A solid pitching performance by the Metro Stars went for naught, with the offense scoring just the one run to the Impalers’ three.




Hitter of the Week: 3B Toshio Taguchi
.385/.385/.731 5 R 2 RBI 3 2B 2 HR

Toshio Taguchi captured his third Hitter of the Week award due, in part, to a down week from the offense. The 27-year-old third baseman continues to impress with an excellent season at the plate. Taguchi currently ranks in the top five in the Bancroft League in average, home runs, RBI, runs, slugging percentage, OPS, doubles, and WAR. Taguchi’s unexpected breakout has been just what the Metro Stars needed, but he could use some help from the rest of the offense.

Pitcher of the Week: RP Aurelio Fernandez
4.2 IP 1 ER 7 K 1.93 ERA 0.64 WHIP

In a week lacking for much of anything to stand out, controversial reliever Aurelio Fernandez was great out of the bullpen. Fernandez has been great all season, seeming to take offense over some criticism he received from former broadcasters Sai and Aarav. The 2038 UMEBA league-leader in home runs allowed has found a way to keep the ball in the park, lowering his HR/9 rate from 2.2 to 1.0. With his great performance and a struggling Rafael Cruz, Fernandez was recently named the new closer for the Metro Stars.




Other Notes

The first trade of the season in the UMEBA was a bit of a weird one, with the Metro Stars reacquiring C Jose Romero from Istanbul. Romero was traded to Istanbul in the off-season for C Lou Griffin and cash. Griffin has yet to play a game in Mumbai and has only started one at AAA, in what is an obvious case of GMs evaluating players differently. Romero has struggled this season (as has everyone in Istanbul), but he should be one of the best offensive catchers in the league if his BABIP can rebound. However, the Metro Stars already have one of the best offensive catchers in the league in Honorio Queixada, so it will be seen how they play this one out. The other piece in the trade coming back to Mumbai is 1B Juan Parra. Parra was signed as a free agent earlier this season by Istanbul and has struggled in only 83 plate appearances. His BABIP of .148 should be able to explain most of his struggles. The Metro Stars hope they have added a big bat to boost their team power and OBP. Going back to Istanbul are RP Bras Gesteiras and 1B/RF Masaharu Suzuki. Gesteiras was named the closer earlier in the season but struggled mightily, posting a 6.27 ERA in 33 innings. Suzuki was expected to be a big contributor on offense but only played 10 games with Mumbai before being demoted, where he struggled more. Suzuki is signed to a team-friendly contract and could be a good grab for Istanbul if he can match scouts’ appraisals, but he will always be a liability in the field.

As was stated earlier, Rafael Cruz has been replaced by Aurelio Fernandez as the Metro Stars’ closer. Cruz was excellent earlier in the season but has been inconsistent lately, with his ERA ballooning from 1.93 on May 13 to 3.97 today. Fernandez, on the other hand, has an excellent ERA of 1.51 with a UMEBA-leading 0.84 WHIP.

SP Mike Manning has been removed from the rotation and placed in the bullpen following the trade of Bras Gesteiras. Kane Dunham will take his spot in the rotation. Dunham was terrible in three starts earlier in the year but has fared much better at AAA. Dunham will be given another shot in the Mumbai rotation, but it is tough to say how long he will remain there.
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Re: Metro Stars Week In Review, 6/17/39-6/23/39 (2039 - #11)

Post by bschr682 » Thu Jul 25, 2019 7:37 am

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Re: Metro Stars Week In Review, 6/17/39-6/23/39 (2039 - #11)

Post by shoeless.db » Thu Jul 25, 2019 8:36 am

I think it's great you brought Romero back. The differences in how we as GMs evaluate and build our teams is what makes OOTP online leagues so fun and interesting. I hope Romero finds his former self back in Mumbai.
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