[PilotMan]

June Recap


We finished 1 game above .500 for June with a 14-13 record. Even worse than our May record. We did suffer some really big injuries that have big holes in the rotation and lineup (Beattie for Eck, and Stubbs for Murphy), so that's disappointing. As we head toward the All-Star Break and trade deadline you have to wonder if there might be a move here or there.


I have some real concerns for this team long term. The farm system isn't very strong. Once you get past a couple of pitching prospects and Steve Sax, there's is nothing there. Our AAA team in Albuquerque is one of the worst. So the idea of trading away what we do have there for a run this year is either a last gasp or else we try with what we have to make the run.


Eckersley and Murphy are both still good on the healing front. They might be back in September. I have to hope that we're still in the hunt. The good news right now, looking at the race is that we're in 3^rd, 2 games back of the Reds. Our division is the weakest of all 4, so with our 40-33 record, we are still in this thing.


The Expos are 4.5 in front of the Pirates. The Blue Jays are 3 in front of the Yankees, and in the AL West, the Mariners (with young stud, Sid Fernandez) are out front by 3.5 on the Royals (with young stud Orel Hersheiser). Bitter much? Yep.


Speaking of the All Star Game, we have 4 guys who are third in voting in their categories. Scioscia, Bream, Murphy and Randolph. Randolph had the lead, but he's dropped behind Sandberg and Whitaker now. Murphy is out, so he won't make it for sure. Good chance for Neidenfeur to go again, he's among the leaders for relievers.


Our overall numbers show that we're good, but not great.


5^th in Runs, OBP, HR and Runs against. 6^th in average. Starters ERA is 7^th and our Bullpen is #1. Defense has seen a massive drop. We lead the league last year, now we're 9^th out of 12. How much of that is White at third for so long, and losing Murphy?


Our best performers in June were Willie Randolph (.339/.414/.452) and Mike Scioscia (.341/.406/.443). Franklin Stubbs was the best power hitter (.277/.324/.505). Meanwhile, it was an awful month for Dewey (.226/.363/.452) and Marshall (.243/.282/.379). Sid Bream also fell back to earth from his big May (.240/.295/.375).


John Denny was, without a doubt, the top starter for the month (3-2, 1.95 ERA, 1.05 WHIP). Everyone else was super average, except for Beattie. He was bad ( 0-3, 5.52 ERA, 1.65 WHIP). I have no idea why he's still in the rotation at this point, when we have Pena and Reuss or hell, even Milt Wilcox, any of them would be better options. I know he won 19 games last year with a 2.61 ERA, but it looks like we spent a shit load of money on a flash in the pan pitcher. We're never going to see that level of production from him.


July might make or break us. The offense has to find a new gear, Lasorda needs to get more from his pitching staff, and the front office needs to decide what direction this team is going in as we head to the deadline. After 3 straight 100+ win seasons, we're in real danger of missing out this year.