WHIV 2039.10- Hustlers Starting Pitching Resurgent

[recte44]

Hustlers Starting Pitching Resurgent
July 21, 2039

Throughout the past run of success in Las Vegas, it has been the offense that has carried the club to wins. The pitching has been often criticized by fans and insiders around the league. On a recent podcast the criticism reared its head once again. "They need another starting pitcher," said an anonymous podcast participant. The management of the Hustlers would have agreed with that statement even a month ago. Now, there's evidence that suggests not only do the Hustlers not need more arms, the pitchers may indeed be the strength of the team.

As of July 21st, Las Vegas has a Team ERA of 4.05 which is 2nd in the Johnson League. Their bullpen is ranked #1 overall with a 3.42 ERA and their much-maligned starting pitching now ranks 5th overall with a 4.36 ERA and quickly dropping.

The Hustlers current six game winning streak is a perfect example of the improved starting pitching (while also seeing the offense break out of a prolonged slump largely thanks to the inept Nashville Goats).

7/15- LV 5, Nashville 1
Hyun-sik Chang pitches 6 1/3 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits with 5 K's and 0 BB.

7/16- LV 11, Nashville 3
Wayne Jackson scatters 11 hits over 5 2/3 innings, controlling the damage and allowing just three runs (1 BB, 3 K) en route to his 2nd win of the year.

7/17- LV 15, Nashville 2
Mauro Flores has one of his best performances of the year, with 7 strong innings (5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K).

7/18- LV 4, Nashville 3
Hao Kun pitched 7 strong innings (7 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) to keep the team in the ballgame before the bullpen pitched a combined 5 shutout innings in the 13 inning win.

7/19- Rainout at Wichita

7/20 Game 1- Las Vegas 11, Wichita 4
Alvin Chartrand went six innings, allowing four earnies on six hits, walking four and striking out six to improve to 7-6 on the year with a 3.42 ERA.

7/21 Game 2- Las Vegas 2, Wichita 1
Chang comes through again with six innings of five hit ball (1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K) to improve to 4-4 on the year.

The Hustlers now feel confident with these five guys that they can do the job and hand the game over to the best bullpen in the league with a lead or at least close and still in the game.

Current Stats (as SP):
Flores 8-8, 4.26 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 20 GS
Kun 8-5, 3.88 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 20 GS
Chartrand 7-6, 3.42 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 17 GS
Jackson 2-5, 3.30 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 14 GS
Chang 4-3, 4.48 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 11 GS

[RonCo]

Any staff with Mauro Flores on it still has a chance to go on a dominant run.

[recte44]

Well, we’ve found him to be overrated.

[ae37jr]

Well, we’ve found him to be overrated.

Same here. His splits are bad. He's devastating against righties, mediocre against lefties. With so many lefty bats in this league he appears better then he really is. I used to move his starts around to avoid playing the lefty heavy teams when possible.