Blowing in the Wind 2057.2: Wins Elusive, But Jacksonville Off to Solid Start

[aaronweiner]

By the numbers, Jacksonville is probably the best team in the Johnson League not named Charm City. However, if the playoffs started after 25 games, the team would be on the outside, looking in. The numbers don't make a lot of sense; the team is 5-2 in one run games and 1-0 in extra inning games, but the inconsistency is sinking the team.

"Splitting two with Charm City is great, but splitting four with Atlantic City is not," said manager Farri Agymah. "We're concerned about our motivation level."

It hasn't helped that the majority of the pitching staff has started off slow again. Each of the top three starters has an ERA in the 6s, and the fastest starter on the staff, top long man Hayden Bennion, just went on the IR. The team was also without starting catcher Luis Gonzales for the first two weeks, having to go with 2054 first round pick Roy O'Donnell; O'Donnell posted almost an 1.100 OPS, but the staff suffered from his inexperience.

"We love Roy, and we think he could start for us some day, but to have to force him into action that way was a little harsh," said hitting coach Chuck Beauregard. "You'll see him again some day."

On the bright side, Eric Wignes took his benching last year to heart, and posted one of the best months in the Association in April. The offense has been nearly on point, but they've been inefficient with their second-best OPS, posting just the 5th best run total.

"We could be a lot more consistent getting runs batted in," said Agymah. "We need to get the clutch hitting going a little more."

The schedule doesn't get much easier for the Hurricanes, with Charlotte and Calgary next on the dial. As long as the pitching staff gets themselves in order, however, better days are ahead. The team is currently 14-11, a half game out of the fourth wild card.

"We'd love to get a third straight playoff team," said right fielder Donald Miller, who just recently hit his 500th career home run off Mexico City's Cesar Macias. "That's why we bust our butts every day."

https://statspl.us/brewster/reports/new ... eam_3.html