Fans are showing up in greater numbers in 2062, but with new attire...
A Lineup in Crisis
Offense has been a glaring issue for the Wolves. Ranking last in the Frick League in runs scored (79), home runs (14), and OPS (.619), the Wolves’ bats have been ice-cold. While Dave McClain (.320 AVG) and Ricardo Norman (.300 AVG) have provided some stability, the rest of the lineup has been largely ineffective. Rafael Perez (.182 AVG), Marshall Roy (.188 AVG), and Ken Proctor (.197 AVG) have struggled to reach base, and with the team ranking 14th in walks, patience at the plate has also been an issue.
Season ticket holder and longtime fan, Mark Reynolds, expressed his frustration: “I’ve been coming to games for years, and this is the worst start I can remember. It just feels like they’re swinging blindfolded out there.”
Mike Winchester has had difficulties behind the plate, hitting just .190 with 27 strikeouts in 79 at-bats. Meanwhile,Kevin Daniels has yet to find his rhythm, batting .162 with minimal impact. The lone bright spot among position players has been McClain, who continues to put together quality at-bats and maintain a solid on-base percentage.
Pitching Woes Continue
On the mound, the Wolves haven’t fared much better. The rotation has failed to secure a single win, with Josh Clark (6.00 ERA), Harry Dunbar (6.07 ERA), and Dani Clemente (8.82 ERA) all posting troubling numbers. Tyler Murray, while showing glimpses of potential, still carries a 4.37 ERA.
Some relief pitchers have been serviceable, with Wilson Herrera posting a respectable 3.45 ERA and Boris Milatovic impressing with a 2.84 ERA. Closer Clint Thomas has been one of the few bright spots, posting a 1.93 ERA with two saves. However, setup man Frank Ostrom has struggled mightily with a 7.20 ERA, failing to hold leads.
“We just can’t seem to close out games,” lamented fan and season ticket holder, Denise Caldwell. “Even when we get a lead, I don’t feel confident in our bullpen’s ability to hold it.”
Avoiding a 100-Loss Season
With 135 games remaining, the Wolves must win at least 56 more games to avoid a 100-loss season—a feat that would require a 56-79 record from here on out. While this is far from impossible, it would demand significant improvements in all aspects of the game.
Head Coach Will Myers addressed the challenge ahead: “We know we’ve dug ourselves into a hole, but there’s still time to turn things around. We have to focus on the fundamentals—getting on base, making smarter at-bats, and improving our bullpen reliability. Right now, our biggest issue is consistency, and that starts with execution.”
Myers emphasized the need for players to step up: “We need guys to trust their approach at the plate and stop pressing. The talent is there, but we’re not playing to our potential. If we can string together some wins and build momentum, I believe we can get back on track.”
What’s Next?
The Wolves need answers—and fast. If the struggles continue, it could be a long summer in Madison.
Fans are growing restless, and if the Wolves don’t find solutions soon, attendance numbers may begin to dwindle. The front office has hinted at possible roster shake-ups if performances don’t improve. With the trade deadline still months away, Wolves management may need to make bold moves to prevent the season from slipping away entirely.
Despite the frustrations, loyal fans remain hopeful. “We’ve seen bad stretches before, but this one just hurts,” said lifelong supporter Tim Hargrove. “Hopefully, they can make some adjustments and start playing with some fire.”
