Autumn Dreamin

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.

Glendale made the finals last year, and I was kind of hoping for a repeat so that Colson, Ramos, and crew could get some “playoff” experience…but after a 1-5 start in week 1, they would have a lot of catching up to do. The pitching has been the best in AFL (2.92 team ERA, over a run better than second place) and Sox guys have done their part with that: Jake Eder had 3 scoreless/hitless innings in his one start and made BA’s hot sheet for the first week. Jordan Leasure has made 2 appearances: 2IP, 1R (0ER), 1H 1BB, 3K Fraser Ellard has also thrown twice: 2IP, 0ER, 1H, 1K Adisyn Coffey: 1IP, 1ER, 1H, 1BB, 1K Josimar Cousin got roughed up by the undefeated best offense (and his own defense): 2IP, 4R (3ER), BB The Glendale offense has really struggled (.192 team AVG, .559 OPS, both league worst), and the Sox bats haven’t been much of an exception to that either. Hopefully they can pick it up this week when not up against the Jobes and Robys of the world. The Week Ahead Another 6 game slate for the week. Jake Eder starts again tomorrow (10/10). Only one Glendale stream this week, for tonight’s game: Game 1: GDD vs. MSS (Gameday | Live Stream) Burke, Montgomery, Ramos at the top of the lineup again.

I'm expecting either 6IP/10K or 3.1IP/6ER with basically no in between.

The best offense in the AFL vs. the best pitching could have been an interesting battle, but Glendale's defense didn't show up today and obviously a bunch of Rays/Guards prospects will take advantage of that. Cousin was comically unlucky in his 2IP. Two runs scored on an error in the first, and then two more on a second error, a swinging bunt that traced the 3B line, and a passed ball in the second. No K's, but he also only gave up decent contact once, maybe twice. The defense definitely seemed to miss Ramos and Burke. The Mets prospect at 3B had 3 errors alone. Leasure also had a run score when the catcher threw the ball into the outfield... Even with 4+ unearned gifted to them, Peoria's 8 runs total is actually the lowest they've been held to so far...so there's that? Decent game for Colson, he was 2-5 with solid defense and smart baserunning. Ramos didn't get on base, but did get his first RBI. The pitching would have looked better if the IF could make routine plays, or the OF knew which bases to throw to, or the catcher could deter runners....Glendale lost 8-3.

Game 5: GDD vs. PEJ (Gameday | Live Stream) We have a stream today! Good timing as Cousin makes his first AFL start. Off day for Burke, Montgomery still in the 2 spot, but Ramos (DHing tonight) is now batting 5th. He's hit in every game he's played so far, so maybe that leads to some RBI opportunities.

TJ for Sandy Alcantara

Veras working with some familiar faces: He went 1-3 batting second and playing LF in a preseason match today. Old friend Micker Adolfo was playing RF. Two more old friends with Gigantes Del Cibao on the other side...Leury Garcia batting leadoff and playing LF, and Hanser Alberto batting second and playing SS. I bet they have some stories to swap. Leury hit a 2 run shot. In more forward looking developments, it looks like Johan Dominguez will be getting in some winter ball innings as he continues to works his way back from TJ. He's on GC with Hanser and Leury, and threw 2IP in his preseason start today. Other winter ball tidbits: Fittingly for a guy who hopes to return to Chicago, Colas is a bull. He hasn't appeared in the preseason yet, likely because the new dad is spending some time with his family (congrats to them!). Luis Mieses and Moisés Castillo are also with the Toros. Juan Carela is on their roster too, but I don't think he's expected to pitch. Lenyn Sosa might play in Venezuela again, but if so it will be later in the season.

Coffey made his first appearance, 1 IP 1H 1K and 1 BB that came around to score. Colson with a 2 RBI single to tie the game in the next inning. Burke has a pair of walks and a HBP, Ramos is 2-4.

Game 3: GDD vs. SCO (Gameday | No Stream) The Dogs picked up their first win, 7-1. Burke led off with a walk and SB before scoring on a 2 out hit for the first run. He also had a single later in the game. Montgomery and Ramos got the day off, and no Sox arms pitched. Game 4: GDD vs. SCO (Gameday | No Stream) Burke, Montgomery, Ramos are the top of the order again against Phillies #14 RHP Christian McGowan.

Sox arms combined for 5IP 0ER 0H 3BB 5K yesterday. Cousin is scheduled to start on Friday, and there should be a live stream for that one.

Leasure threw a perfect 2K 9th to force extras, but the Dogs strand the free runner and the next guy out of the pen got walked off to lose 1-0. Still, a total of 5 no hit innings from Sox arms is cool. Would love to have seen it, but the league doesn't want to invest in streaming the full slate for whatever reason, and all the pitching/prospect folks were at the Tiedemann game.

Eder done after 3IP 0ER 0H 3BB 3K. Ellard pitched a perfect 7th on 10 pitches.

Game 2: GDD vs. SCO (Gameday | No Stream) Eder gets the 8:30 CST start. Burke on the bench after a solid game yesterday, Colson and Ramos are batting 2/3 again. No stream or statcast today, but highlights should still trickle out on Twitter. Fun Fact: The opposing starter is RHP Tekoah Roby (Cards #5), part of the return for Jordan Montgomery who had an excellent playoff start today.

Here's that play: And here's Burke's OF assist: Ramos also had an apparently impressive snag on a 106mph liner, but the camera didn't catch that one. Ramos and Burke both finish 1-4 with a 2B each. Colson was hitless, but the only Desert Dog who didn't strike out. Hit a couple hard, but right at guys.