KT 62.39 - Screw the pundits, or how I love da bomb

[JRamirez]

This year's in-game pundits predicted that Des Moines, the heart of America's Heartland, would

• 1. win 78 games
• 2. score 677 runs
• 3. hit 198 homers
• 4. allow 771 runs

The DMO found numbers 2 and 3 especially laughable. Last season, DM hit 235 homers and scored 786 runs. Last year the worse "stat" was -10 pythagorean differential, brought on by a bunch a bad bounces, breaks, or die rolls.

At the almost-halfway mark (79 games completed, or 48.889%), we find that the Kernels are on pace for

• 1. win 90 games
• 2. score 808 runs
• 3. hit 283 homers
• 4. allow 734 runs

Note that these numbers probably have to be adjusted, because DM has so far played only 34 home games (42% of 81). The team is 21-13 in Des Moines. In June, the Kernels are 16-7, with three in DM against the Krill and two at Valencia to go. The starters' ERA has gradually gone to one of the worst to its current #9 ranking. We've won five shut outs in June.

Two hitters are expected back in the starting lineup, effective immediately: Félix 'Matchbox' Parreno (1.2 WAR) and Alonso 'Huckleberry' 'Haiku" Flinn (1.5 WAR). The latter's sub Carl McLeod is hitting .338 and has a .6 WAR in 17 games. Not sure whether he or fellow rookie Jesús Rosito will be sent down. Meanwhile, Parreno's sub Hitoshi Kitamura is .235-4-13.

We need Steven Clayton to fully come around, and then DM's starters will finally be rocking on all five pistons. Alonso Amaya, fifth starter, is now 10-3, or 6-0 at the Kum & Go. The bullpen's also been improving.

So, despite the lack of love shown to the Kernels, we'll see you in the playoffs.

[ae37jr]

I like it. Now we just need Louisville and Chicago to go on runs so we can't shut the Pacific out of the wildcard.