Autumn Dreamin

Hey look at that, a win! Eder looked better than his line, Ellard chipped in a scoreless 2K inning, and Leasure did his 1-2-3 thing (1K). Burke's slam was the difference maker: He also had a nice catch at the wall on a deep flyout, clearly a follower of LRJ's "rob a homer, hit a homer" philosophy. Montgomery didn't get a hit, but him reaching on a HBP is how you really know he's back to himself anyway.

421ft, 105mph apparently.

Jacob Burke go ahead slam ?

4Ks through 2IP for Eder. He looks pretty solid, but gets an early hook because he's only getting credit for the swinging ones. These were walks:

Another bleh week for the Dogs overall, but some nice things from the Sox representatives there. Colson Montgomery is 5-13 in his last 3 games with 3 HR, a 3B, and 6 RBI. Is a 1.600 OPS good or something? Jacob Burke hit his first AFL HR, albeit with a comparatively "boring" ~.800 OPS. Jake Eder had one start, 3.1 IP, 2 ER. Josimar Cousin went 3 IP, 2 R in his lone start. Jordan Leasure chipped in a perfect 2K inning. He has 5K and just 1 H/BB through his 3 IP so far. Fraser Ellard gave up his first ERs this week, Adisyn Coffey had a 4BB outing he'd like to forget, and gave up a solo shot in an otherwise clean 2K inning in his second appearance, and Bryan Ramos is in a bit of a slump after a hot start. The Week Ahead The usual six game slate for the week, but this time 4 of 6 will be available via live stream. Jake Eder starts today: Game 1: GDD vs. PEJ (Gameday | Live Stream) Eder once again is tasked with taking on the best AFL offense; their 108 runs scored comfortably lead the league (2nd place has scored 93) and they average 9 runs/game. He held them to 2 ER in 3.1IP in his last outing. Burke at leadoff and Montgomery batting 3rd will look to give Eder some support on both sides of the ball. Ramos has the day off.

Unsurprisingly, Montgomery leads the list of top AFL performers yesterday. He attributed his slow start to getting his timing back after the layoff between seasons. He also talked about his two strike approach: To his point, both HRs were after fouling off a two strike pitch.

Colson finished 3-5 with 2 HR, 4 RBI, and 3 runs scored. His 3rd HR in 24 hours has him tied for the AFL lead after a slow start. Him and Ramos started a rally in the 9th with a single and a walk, and both eventually scored to help tie the game...But Burke was called out (on a pitch that looked pretty outside on the broadcast...) to strand the bases loaded. A couple more slightly questionable calls against them, and Glendale loses in 10. Cousin was fine, but does seem to get a lot of 2 strike counts that he can't put away quickly. Still, he could have finished with 0 ER if someone like Burke or Luis was in center...the ITP was pretty fieldable.

Cousin done after 3IP, 4H, 2ER,1BB, 1K. Lots of weak contact, one hit was a bouncer to second that the 2B just gave up on for some reason. Both runs scored on an inside the park HR to center. It was well hit, but the CF definitely could have played it better...Burke would have. I know we're not used to this, but the Sox players are quite comfortably the best defenders on the team. And in other news, Colson just hit ANOTHER home run.

Lol, Colson just went yard again. Some bonus BP swings:

Game 5: GDD vs. SCO (Gameday | Live Stream) Cousin on the bump, Burke leading off at DH, Montgomery/Ramos batting 3 and 4.

Troye might have a future in scouting (or motivational speaking?). The three guys he shouted out all showed out tonight: Colson gets the bat going, 2-4 with a HR and 3B. 2 RBI. Burke had a great night too. 3-5 with a HR and 2 RBI. Leasure with a perfect, 2K inning. Here's Burke's HR: https://www.mlb.com/video/jacob-burke-s-two-run-home-run

He just added a triple. Could have been a RBI, but the runner on first got caught stealing.

Jacob Burke HR now too ?

Game 4: GDD vs. SCO (Gameday | No Stream) The Dogs back home at Camelback, and our full trio is at the top of the order again. Burke lead off single, Colson HR. Keep the hype train going!

Some notes: I don't hate the hype, but maybe let him breathe a little... ? Could be why he's been pressing at the plate. Secondly, Baseball isn't Boring had Red Sox prospect Christopher Troye on to talk AFL, and when asked to name 3 players who had impressed him, they were all White Sox: Leasure, Burke, and Montgomery. Compliments their play and personalities. And finally, some winter ball tidbits: Deivi Garcia is getting some extra work in with Licey Veras is still playing (and hitting!) and I think that's our Luis Reyes too

The Orioles have the farm talent to start a dynasty if they want, and it would really be a shame if they waste it.

I'm glad Pito found his bat in time for the postseason...but I'm definitely not upset that we aren't the ones paying him $60 million for the privilege of waiting until September for "August Abreu" to arrive. I'm happy he helped take out the trash, and also hope the Astros lose out from here. I hate the Astros moderately less than the Twins (who I hate meaningfully less than the Guards), and I bet on a Rangers Phillies WS. As for Lance, I'm not happy that he got shelled necessarily, but I hope it puts an emphatic end to the idea that the connection between this garbage season and Lynn's numbers was "Katz and the defense magically ruining Lance Lynn" as opposed to Lance Lynn's individual regression independently contributing to the team's overall struggles.

Moreno hit one out, had it called foul, and then hit one fair on the next pitch.

Lance found a way to give up 5 HR in an inning but only 4 counted for runs. Is that what people meant when they said the Dodgers fixed him?

Game 2: GDD vs. SUR (Gameday | No Stream) Off day for Ramos and Montgomery. Burke leading off, but playing RF instead of CF today.

Dogs gave up as many runs tonight as they did in their previous 7 games combined...and they still have the lowest ERA in the league (4R being unearned helps). Eder gets a tough luck loss, as only two of the 17 runs were on him (both solo shots). Coffey was called in to get the last out of a messy 5th, but apparently didn't have it when he came back out for the 6th. Whether he was getting squeezed or not, leaving a guy in to walk 4 in a row doesn't seem particularly wise. Burke 1-4 with a BB, SB, and run scored, Ramos 1-3 with a double, BB, and 2R scored, Colson 0-4.

I wish I knew how accurate pitch location data is for games that don't have StatCast, because uh...Gameday makes it look like the ump has shrunk the zone to the size of a postage stamp, which seems like basically the only way for a team to walk 7 in a row? Looks like literally nothing in the zone is getting called a strike unless it's swung at or right down the middle.

Game 2: GDD vs. PEJ (Gameday | No Stream) Eder gets the start today against the best offense in the AFL by far. Peoria is undefeated and averaging something like 9 runs a game. Burke leads off, Montgomery and Ramos batting 3 and 4.

Normally Montgomery maintains a good approach even when the hits aren't falling, but he was really pressing tonight. 4K's in a row including a couple in big spots, very visibly frustrated after each one. He has never had a 4K game before at any level, even during his 2022 cup of coffee in Birmingham. He got a solid line drive single in his last AB though, so hopefully that gets him going. It was followed by a Ramos swinging bunt IF single and a walk to load the bases. A's reliever Jack Weisenburger had to be helped off the field after landing funny on his last pitch and the guy that replaced him stranded the runners. Montgomery and Burke were both 1-5. Burke was 1-3 with 2 walks. No Sox arms today, but Glendale's pitching remains incredible and they win a 2-0 shutout. The pitching coach is a Dodgers guy, so I definitely don't mind having our guys getting his insights for the next few weeks.