Hold My Log - 50.20 - McBride to Miss Sacramento Series

[7teen]

It's the biggest series of the season and the Portland Lumberjacks will be without their biggest superstar! In Sunday's 5-4 loss at Seattle, Lumberjacks designated hitter Ernest McBride was injured while running the bases. Being stated as a minor "back strain" the injury will force McBride out of action for approximately a week, forcing him to miss the pivotal 4-game series upcoming with the Sacramento Mad Popes.

"Losing Ernest at this stage of the season is a huge loss for us" commented manager Grux King. "Losing a player of Ernest's caliber at any point of the season is a tough blow. Fortunately for both him and the team, the injury does not appear to be anything too serious and he should be back and with us in time for the post-season. We'll do what we have to do in the meantime. Fortunately we have guys ready to step up and fill the huge shoes vacated by Ernest's absence."

McBride had just thrust himself right back into the Frick League's Sawyer Silk Award discussion by putting himself into a tie in WAR with Bishr and Mendoza thanks to 7 homeruns over his last 10 games. Those 7 homeruns also catapulted McBride back into the league lead in homeruns with 52 putting him one shy of the Portland single season record he set back in 2049. McBride, who has racked up the player of the month honors over the last 3 seasons, is still looking for that first Silk Award with the Lumberjacks.

"I'll say this" commented team GM Chris Wilson, "if this team does not win the division this year and we struggle down the stretch, I believe that proves just how valuable McBride is to this team. He's the MVP in my book either way. But if we struggle without him, I think that just shows how valuable he is to this team's success."

His absence does come at a bad time as Portland will embark on a 13 game road trip to conclude the 2051 regular season. That trip kicks off in San Fernando for a pair before heading to Sacramento for a crucial 4-game set with the Mad Popes. The Lumberjacks have watched a 9-game division lead dwindle down to just 4 over the Mad Popes in recent weeks. Sporting a magic number of 11, Portland could use a split in that series to really help solidify their chances at winning the division and getting that important bye in the opening round of the Frick playoffs. But the doom and gloom feel is hard to shake with this organization.

"The loss of McBride and those damn schedule makers don't do us a lot of favors in Portland" added Wilson. "This has the feel of 2049 all over again, when we played what felt like a million road games down the stretch, watched our wild card lead dwindle to a tie and we needed that extra game just to make it to the post-season. Fortunately we all but have a spot in the post-season locked up, but winning the division, without McBride and while playing 13 on the road, won't be an easy task for sure. I'll be drinking lots of coffee in order to shake the vibe I have."

McBride is expected to return for the final week of the season when Portland will travel to Valencia and then the season finale series in Vancouver.

[Dington]

Play him and risk getting injured for playoffs. Don't be a pansy.

[Jwalk100]

I think he is coded to have an injury at the end of the season.

[mragland]

It's tough when a team with a four-game divisional lead can't shake the doom and gloom.

[7teen]

It's tough when a team with a four-game divisional lead can't shake the doom and gloom.

I know, right? Oh whoa is me! haha

[mragland]

In a similar vein, I can't convince myself that my team actually has a better than 90% shot at making the playoffs. 4-10 so far in September will shake one's confidence.