Tripoli, September 15, 2044 -- It is time to put up or shut up for the Libyan Generals, who find themselves two games under .500, yet miraculously tied with Mumbai Metro Stars in the battle for the wildcard in the Bancroft Division of UMEBA.
The coming week will determine the outcome, particularly the final three games of the season against the Stars in Mumbai on September 19-21.This pundit predicts that whichever team comes out on top in that series will end up with the posteason berth.
Sources tell us that Manager Luke Mayfield, never one to stand pat, has decided to shakeup the lineup a bit, benching centerfielder Francisco Mendez in favor of Domingo Romero. Mendez sports a solid .291 average this season but has been slumping of late, hitting .220 in August and only slightly better so far in September. Romero, meanwhile, has a hotter bat, including a .400 OBP in his past 45 plate appearances.
Mayfield wouldn't confirm the change but also wouldn't deny it. "I know Frankie is willing to do whatever is asked of him, whether it is starting or coming off the bench. This entire team has its eyes on the postseason, and they know how to set aside their egos."
Mendez minced no words
about the benching
Mendez, though, seemed to be on a different page. "I understand the manager calls the shots. I get concerned, though, when analytics overrides common sense, and frankly, loyalty. But, you know, whatever." With that, Mendez stormed out of the interview room.
AAA Update: Generals GM Mike Dunn has opted not to bolster the big league squad with September call-ups yet, since the AAA Ndali Barons of the African Baseball Alliance are already in the postseason, and have a two games-to-none lead over the Casablanca Islanders in the ABA League Championship Series.
"Winning a title at the AAA level is an important goal for the long term future of the entire organization," Dunn told Generally Speaking. "These guys have played their heart out, and even though some of them can certainly help us in Tripoli, we also want them to have the chance they have earned to win a title."