2063.25 - Summertime in Madison

[CTBrewCrew]

WEEKLY WOLFPACK WHISPERS WITH GERTIE
June 24, 2063 Edition

Now that’s more like it, sugar. Another sim in the books and the Wolves are keeping things respectable in June, finishing the week 3–3 and holding steady at an even 11–11 for the month. We don’t forget May’s 8–21 horror show, of course — trust me, I still wake up in a cold sweat — but the boys are slowly clawing their way back toward respectability.

Carlos Cruz, our golden-armed dreamboat, returned to the mound and let me just say: Mama missed you. The man tossed 6.1 innings of one-hit, eight-strikeout ball like he never left. Seeing him twirl that pearl again was like springtime in Paris. He even came back for a second outing and while it wasn’t quite poetry, it still showed promise. Keep wrapping him in silk and prayers — we need him healthy.

But with one return, we must mourn a loss. Losing Rule 5 darling Harry Dunbar to injury hits hard. The big man was dealing — 4 scoreless innings this sim, ERA still sparkling at 0.00, and more escape artistry than a Vegas magician. It’s cruel, it’s unfair, and frankly I think the baseball gods owe us a refund.

The bats had a bit more bite this week. Curt Holter was all sizzle and sear: .417 with a 1.087 OPS, flashing pop and driving in 7 RBI like he was trying to get noticed by someone. Well, color me noticed. Ricardo Norman (.381, .982 OPS) and Dave McClain (.444, .976 OPS) added to the noise, too, proving that not every Wolves hitter has to be in witness protection.

Then there’s Gary Keller and Otto Holstein, who apparently mistook the sim for a hide-and-seek contest at the plate. Boys, it’s okay to touch first base every once in a while.

On the bump, besides Cruz, Tyler Murray turned in a tidy five-inning gem of his own, 1.80 ERA, keeping the damage minimal and his brow dry. The bullpen was mostly crisp, especially Alejandro Ramiraze and Clint Thomas, who each tossed clean sheets and made it look easy.

We’re not storming the Heartland just yet, but there’s a heartbeat again in Shotz Stadium. And with Carlos Cruz looking like a pitcher out of a fever dream and Holter swinging it like he means it, we’re just enough dangerous to make a little noise.

Until next time, keep your iron hot, your spirits higher, and your relievers off the injured list.

— Gertie