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Sticking Points 2037.6: Rockville Takes Double Digit Lead

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2019 6:53 am
by aaronweiner
The Rockville Pikemen have been surging as of late. Winners of 11 of their last 12, the Pikemen have taken a 12 1/2 game lead over the Brooklyn Robins for the JL Atlantic Division lead in late July, and look to be advancing towards their third consecutive division title and fourth straight playoff appearance.

"We're playing really good baseball, really solid all around," said Rockville manager Chet Rouse. "We're really hitting on all cylinders right now."

The Pikemen have the best run differential in the JL and currently have a lead on Phoenix for the #2 seed, a position from which the defending BBA champions launched their title run last year. Rockville leads the league in runs allowed behind a fantastic effort from the starting pitching rotation and a mild resurgence from their bullpen, which has moved from dead last in the JL in ERA to 12th place.

"We've obviously had struggles in the pen, but that's baseball," said Rockville closer Fernando Marquez, currently on pace for a career-worst 4.70 ERA. "We'll pick it back up, it's a great group."

The Pikemen should, by the numbers, hold on to their division lead down the stretch. They have the 3rd easiest schedule in the JL (Jacksonville and Wichita's are easier) for the rest of the season and a 12 1/2 game lead is formidable. Independent services suggest the Pikemen are nearly a 100% lock for the playoffs at this point.

"We're not saying you should go out and buy playoff tickets right now, but we're feeling pretty good about where we are," said rotation ace Arthur Dempster. "It looks pretty good for us right now."