1/4 Pole AL East Analysis-Season 13

We are about 40+ games into season 13, so let's take a look at how American League East teams are faring so far.

AL EAST

Columbus Clippers- Currently tied for 1st at 26-18. Their Exp Pct based on RS-RA(251-193) should be .624 but they are currently a bit below expectations at .591. They are near the top of the league in many pitching categories thus far. ERA 4.23(2nd), WHIP 1.36(2nd), OAV .260(2nd), OBP .327(2nd), SLG .416(1st), RUNS 193(1st), HR 52(1st), K's 278(3rd). The hitting has been good too, with most offensive stats in the top 1/3 of the league. Waiver wire pickup Fergie Chouinard leads the team with 6 wins. Perennial All-Star Pedro Alarcon is sporting a 2.80 ERA and closer Rob Patrick is 12 for 12 in Saves. The offense is lead by last year's MVP, 1B Dennis Newfield(.311, 9 HRs), DH Joey Cannon(.364, 13 HRs), & LF Billy Ledee(.313, 9 HRs). Team wide there is little speed. Of some concern might the the age of some important cogs in the pitching staff(Walt Parnell-35, Raymond Smith-35, Al Lira-37). Tied for the league best in E's with 20 and FPct .988. Grissom97's club is a very solid team that has won a number of division titles. The East figures to be a season long 2-team battle with NY for the division.

New York Torrones- This club is off to a much better start than last season. After losing the division by 1 game in year 12, and the getting swept by the Clippers in the first round of the playoffs, the Torrones are hoping for a different result this season. Unlike Columbus, NY is playing well based mainly on a powerful offense. They are 2nd in BA(,298), & hits, 3rd in OBP(.361), SLG(.502), OPS(.863), & HR(83). While 4th in RA(229), the rest of the pitching stats are mostly just a bit better than league averages. They lead the division in RS at 272 while allowing 229 and their winning pct is just about as expected(.591 act/..585 exp). Led offensively by former MVP Tanner Magnante(.345, 13 HRs, 1.068 OPS), Neifi Espinosa(.333, 12 HRs), Dan Jones(.320, 17 HRs, 1.031 OPS), & Danny Fox(.311, 13 HRs). A solid starting staff is lead by A.J. Freeman(7-1, 3.96 ERA, .254 OAV). Soph Glendon Green hopes to repeat his rookie season success. During spring training, traded for solid Victor Colome. Starting 5 is rounded out by solid SPs Vince Livingstone and Hipolito Martin. Middle relief may be a bit suspect, but up & comer B.C. Garland should be a stellar closer for years to come. Team fielding is just a bit better than the league avg. With only one player on the ML roster over 30 years old, the Torrones are primed to make a serious run this season.

Boston Marriages(formerly Greenwell Gators)- This team was thankfully taken over by solid owner hypnotoad after a disastrous 1+ year run by it's former owner(who shall remain nameless). While this will take some work, there are a number of good players on this squad. Their rudderless club was playing below expectations(.364-.401), but hypnotoad already has them playing better. Team has some serious offensive talent with DH Stevie Bonilla(.372, 13 HRs, 1.126 OPS), All-Star 3B Vin Austin(.333), LF Homer Plesac(.331), and RF Parker Bennett(.329, 13 HR, 1.050 OPS). Former ROY 1B F.P. Koskie is off to a slow start but has too much talent not to rebound. The pitching, however, is another story, wallowing near the bottom of the league in many categories. No amount of hitting will offset a team 6.01 ERA! This staff is in need of a major overhaul before this club can become a serious contender. The fielding also leaves a lot to be desired with a .975 FPct that is next to last. Hypnotoad has a lot of work in front of him, but I'm sure he is up to the task.

Norfolk Warheads- After a 100 win season and a division title in season 9, things have not gone too well for chrishoiles club. The last 2 seasons have been identical 84-78, 3rd place finishes and this year looks like it could be worse. They are off to a bad start with a last place 14-31 start that will be hard to recover from. They are playing worse than expectations to this point(.311 act-.363 exp). The offense is last in BA(.250), OBP(.321), SLG(.405), OPS(.726), RS(205) & Hits(396). The pitching has it's woes too, with a 5.94 ERA(14th), RA 273(12th), HR 95(last), K's 252(15th), OAV .290(12th), SLG .516(15th). FA signings Chip Stark, Jim Cintron, & Marty Burns have not worked out well. Little to speak of offensively(Edgard Flores 11 HRs) or pitching-wise(Ned Little 3-1, 3.86 ERA). Ironically, they are near the top of the league in FPct(.986, 3rd) and have only made 23 Es(T2nd). But this club may be in need of a major overhaul.