Chasing The Storm 9-11-11

[njherdfan]

Sixteen games left. Three teams. Two playoff spots. With a 3-5 stretch, the Seattle Storm ensured that the race for the Frick League Pacific Division and the Frick League Wild Card will go down to the wire. Although the Storm have done their best to recover from Tipper Kengos’s devastating injury, there is no question that his loss is being felt both in the field and at the plate. Mike Marceau has done an admirable job filling in, but replacing a player of Kengos’s caliber is simply impossible.

In order to bolster their infield defense, the Storm recently acquired Vincent Adams, who is widely acknowledged as one of the top defenders in the MBWBA. His skills will be especially valuable now, as Dave May makes the sometimes awkward transition from first base to shortstop, although the consensus in Seattle is that May’s comfort at the position has been rapidly increasing.

On the mound, Herbert Coolen continues to create unnecessary staff among both his teammates and Seattle’s fans. Coolen’s struggles have led to increased usage for Greg Downing and Tomas Roman in the later innings. The rotation recently took a hit as Matthew Krieger went down with a torn meniscus, but the Storm plan on calling up Dennis Tolbert, who has been getting positive reviews for his performance at AAA Kalamazoo this season. Because Krieger had been doing so poorly this year, it won’t take much for Tolbert to provide an upgrade.

In the past 8 games, the Storm did not play any particularly close games, which came as something of a surprise to Seattle’s GM, Nathan Eagan, but Eagan’s mind is already on the next two weeks, which will decide Seattle’s fate. After two more games in Las Vegas, Seattle heads back to its friendly confines to take on New Orleans, before heading out on a very difficult six-game road trip, with three games in Montreal, followed by three games in Long Beach. This road trip will be made even more difficult because of Esteban Benitez’s extreme Francophobia. There have been rumors that Benitez will try and avoid heading to Montreal altogether, but most team insiders agree that this is unlikely to occur.

Over the next ten games, the Storm need to go at least 5-5 if they want to feel comfortable about their chances of making the playoffs. The Storm’s fans have been terrific, as attendance has been increasing every week, which has led to Seattle’s terrific home record. Hopefully the Storm will be able to take some of that magic with them on the road.

[Al-Hoot]

Best of success! I previewed the Storm a couple seasons ago and noticed some of your fine young players.

[njherdfan]

Best of success! I previewed the Storm a couple seasons ago and noticed some of your fine young players.

Thank you! I obviously can't take any credit for getting those young players, but hopefully I can keep the team going in the right direction.

[Manny]

I think you're doing a fantastic job!! I've been cheering you on all year