Today is my final Daily Update for the 2020 season, and as much as I am tempted to pursue grandeur, I’m going to defer. A few days ago, when the race seemed it was teetering on the edge of a dramatic finish, I had asked Ron if he would do the final update so that you wouldn’t have to deal with either an overly elated or decidedly morose updater.
It seems as though the Tornado lead will be safe for one final day, though with the 3 game swings earned by the Balk and the Wolverines yesterday, you never know.
I have greatly enjoyed spending my mornings highlighting the victories and defeats of each team, and I am thankful for your investment in reading those updates each day.
I have a few more ideas for writing as far as the EFL goes, so be on the lookout over the days to come. One thing I will be sending along is a Google Form to collect your votes for top EFL performers in several categories – the EFL Awards, voted on by the owners – in order to celebrate the top players in our league (which can sometimes differ from the top players in MLB.
For now, we sit back and enjoy one final day of the regular season, in what has been anything but a regular season. I am thankful that baseball was played this summer, and I am also thankful that it seems to have been done safely in the midst of a pandemic. Here’s to hoping that the final day of the season, and the entirety of next season, is normal.
EFL Standings for 2020
| EFL | ||||||
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES | PCT. | GB | RS | RA |
| Flint Hill Tornadoes | 33 | 26 | .556 | — | 293.7 | 277.9 |
| Peshastin Pears | 30 | 29 | .513 | 2.5 | 305.6 | 294.0 |
| Kaline Drive | 30 | 29 | .509 | 2.7 | 248.8 | 239.5 |
| Haviland Dragons | 30 | 29 | .505 | 3 | 270.2 | 263.6 |
| Bellingham Cascades | 28 | 31 | .472 | 4.9 | 300.8 | 330.6 |
| Cottage Cheese | 27 | 32 | .454 | 6 | 298.8 | 329.3 |
| D.C. Balk | 26 | 33 | .433 | 7.2 | 263.6 | 301.7 |
| Canberra Kangaroos | 26 | 33 | .432 | 7.3 | 287.9 | 329.5 |
| Old Detroit Wolverines | 24 | 35 | .401 | 9.1 | 266.8 | 328.5 |
| Pittsburgh Alleghenys | 21 | 38 | .357 | 11.7 | 270.7 | 364.1 |
| Portland Rosebuds | 18 | 41 | .307 | 14.6 | 272.0 | 407.6 |
Flint Hill: W, 6-2 (35PA; 11.3IP)
| AVG: 0.355 | OBP: 0.429 | SLG: 0.452 | OPS: 0.880 |
| ERA: 0.80 | WHIP: 1.239 |
On the most important day of the season, the Tornadoes showed up to play. Max Kepler led the batters, going 2 for 3 with 2 2Bs, and three others hitters collected 2 hits apiece. The pitching from this month will be reason for a Tornado championship in this shortened season, and yesterday was no exception. Except 8 of those 11.3IP were unallocated. Oops.
Peshastin: L, 2-5 (46PA; 12IP)
| AVG: 0.175 | OBP: 0.283 | SLG: 0.225 | OPS: 0.508 |
| ERA: 3.00 | WHIP: 1.500 |
On the second to last day, when the Pears needed to continue to do what they had done all month, they didn’t do it. Their good hitting disappeared at just the wrong time, even though their pitching stayed strong until the very end. Justus Sheffield threw an excellent last game of his rookie campaign, and should garner some votes for Rookie of the Year (3.58 ERA in 55IP this season). Yesterday he tossed 5 innings and gave up 1 run to send his Ms to victory. TJ Zeuch was even better in his spot start, going 5 innings and giving up 0 runs.
Kaline: W0, L2 8-14 (62PA; 18.7IP)
| AVG: 0.263 | OBP: 0.323 | SLG: 0.404 | OPS: 0.726 |
| ERA: 5.78 | WHIP: 1.123 |
Drive pitchers were hot and cold yesterday during their double header. In the first game, John Means took the mound and delivered a stellar start in his final appearance of the season, throwing 6 innings of 1 run ball while striking out 9. In the nightcap, Aaron Civale did the exact opposite, giving up 8 runs in 4 innings. Though hopes were high for a double header sweep after Means, Civale quickly doused them all with his outing. The Drive also used almost two different lineups for their two games, sending 16 different batters to the plate in their two games. Orlando Arcia had 4 hits to lead all hitters, and Mitch Moreland and Kris Bryant each chipped in a HR (Bryant’s was a grand slam).
Haviland: W1, L1 7-11 (49PA; no pitching)
| AVG: 0.190 | OBP: 0.306 | SLG: 0.262 | OPS: 0.568 |
The Dragons went almost the way of the Drive during their penultimate games this season. Not a single pitcher appeared on the day, leading to 6 replacement innings being thrown. And as you can see, the hitting continued to suffer. The Dragons have led the league this month in strikeouts – 305 total, to be exact – which has no doubt been a factor in their second from last runs scored this month. Raimel Tapia has been the lone bright spot these final days, adding in another 3 hits to boost his average this month to .323.
Bellingham: L, 3-8 (35PA; 8IP)
| AVG: 0.212 | OBP: 0.257 | SLG: 0.333 | OPS: 0.590 |
| ERA: 6.75 | WHIP: 1.625 |
The Cascades also ran out of steam as the month wore on, though the past few days found some life still remained. Yesterday was just a little too rough, though, to steal a win and climb a little closer to the Dragons. Youngsters Jo Adell and Nick Madrigal led the way with 2 hits apiece, and the defensive specialist, Jeff Mathis (37 years old), added a HR. Justin Dunn did his best to match fellow Mariner rookie Justus Sheffield, and nearly did it, but gave up 3 runs in his 5 innings instead of just 1. The Mariners seem to be heading in the right direction, just as the Cascades also seem to be. That should bring some hope to this young franchise. Bellingham is in the driver’s seat for the BCCCDC Cup – can they hang on?
Cottage: L, 3-6 (58PA; 7.3IP)
| AVG: 0.250 | OBP: 0.328 | SLG: 0.327 | OPS: 0.655 |
| ERA: 6.16 | WHIP: 1.233 |
Would you believe it if I told you the runs rookie Tony Gonsolin gave up yesterday are the most he’s given up in an outing this year? Well, it’s true! He is a bright star on the Cheese horizon, even if that star was a little dim yesterday. JP Crawford led the entire EFL with 5 hits yesterday, including a 2B and a SB. Those 5 hits equaled 10% of his total hits all season – how about that? The Cheese have one more day to overtake the Cascades for the BCCCDC Cup, though they may choose to give one final gift to their new son-in-law. We shall see!
DC: W2, L(-1) 10-2 (28PA; 8IP)
| AVG: 0.333 | OBP: 0.500 | SLG: 0.810 | OPS: 1.310 |
| ERA: 0.00 | WHIP: 0.500 |
The Balk were able to restore proper order to the BCCCDC Cup one day before the competition ends by winning 2 games and removing one loss from their record. Pete Alonso went 3 for 4 with a HR, 2 BBs and a SB, and Adalberto Mondesi went 2 for 3 with a 2B and a HR (where was that all season?). Joe Musgrove threw his best game of the season, tossing 7 innings without surrendering a single run and striking out 10.
Canberra: “W,” 5-5 (43PA; 3IP)
| AVG: 0.270 | OBP: 0.349 | SLG: 0.351 | OPS: 0.700 |
| ERA: 0.00 | WHIP: 1.000 |
Canberra seceded a place in the standings, and are neighbors once again Old Detroit (though have no risk of being passed by them). Kyle Tucker and Daulton Varsho led the way with 2 hits apiece, and Yoshi Tsutsugo collected three BBs. Trevor Rogers tossed 3 innings, giving up 0 runs.
Old Detroit: W2, L(-1) (51PA; 11IP)
| AVG: 0.283 | OBP: 0.353 | SLG: 0.565 | OPS: 0.918 |
| ERA: 2.45 | WHIP: 1.091 |
It’s not difficult to imagine the rancor emanating from the Wolverine headquarters this morning. Even after a 3 game swing in the right direction, they only erased .2 games from their deficit to the team above them (yesterday the Balk, today the Roos). Another convincing win today could propel them even higher in terms of winning percentage, and consequently lower in next year’s rookie draft. Yikes! Evan White went 3 for 7 with a 2B and a HR, and Will Smith continued his hot hitting, going 2 for 3 with a HR. On the pitching side, Mike Minor (who loves pitching against the Mariners) went 5 innings giving up 1 run and striking out 7.
Pittsburgh: L, 5-11 (34PA; 11IP)
| AVG: 0.241 | OBP: 0.303 | SLG: 0.517 | OPS: 0.820 |
| ERA: 9.00 | WHIP: 1.545 |
The good news is that Allegheny hitters seem to have found their stride in this final week of the season. Pittsburgh management has to hope that will continue into next season. The pitching, however, has done the opposite. Their 5.94 ERA this month was on display as Dane Dunning and Luke Weaver combined to give up 8 runs in 8 innings.
Portland: “L,” 5-3 (32PA; 3IP)
| AVG: 0.267 | OBP: 0.313 | SLG: 0.467 | OPS: 0.779 |
| ERA: 0.00 | WHIP: 1.333 |
Portland led the league in replacement IPs this month, needing 69 innings to cover the requirement. But the offense has hummed along this final week, yesterday doing enough to outscore their opponents. Nick Solak, who was one of just a few untouchable at the trading deadline, proved why management is so keen on him, collecting 3 more hits yesterday. The Rosebuds are almost certain to have locked down the top pick next spring, and now have a few months to decide who to target. There are a lot of great choices!
Combined MLB + EFL Standings for 2020
| AL East | ||||
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES | PCT. | GB |
| Tampa Bay Rays | 39 | 20 | .661 | — |
| New York Yankees | 33 | 26 | .559 | 6 |
| Flint Hill Tornadoes | 33 | 26 | .556 | 6.2 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 32 | 27 | .542 | 7 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 24 | 35 | .407 | 15 |
| Old Detroit Wolverines | 24 | 35 | .401 | 15.3 |
| Boston Red Sox | 23 | 36 | .390 | 16 |
| NL East | ||||
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES | PCT. | GB |
| Atlanta Braves | 35 | 24 | .593 | — |
| Miami Marlins | 30 | 29 | .508 | 5 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 28 | 31 | .475 | 7 |
| New York Mets | 26 | 33 | .441 | 9 |
| D.C. Balk | 26 | 33 | .433 | 9.5 |
| Canberra Kangaroos | 26 | 33 | .432 | 9.5 |
| Washington Nationals | 25 | 34 | .424 | 10 |
| AL Central | ||||
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES | PCT. | GB |
| Minnesota Twins | 36 | 23 | .610 | — |
| Chicago White Sox | 35 | 24 | .593 | 1 |
| Cleveland Indians | 34 | 25 | .576 | 2 |
| Bellingham Cascades | 28 | 31 | .472 | 8.2 |
| Kansas City Royals | 25 | 34 | .424 | 11 |
| Detroit Tigers | 23 | 34 | .404 | 12 |
| Pittsburgh Alleghenys | 21 | 38 | .357 | 15 |
| NL Central | ||||
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES | PCT. | GB |
| Chicago Cubs | 33 | 26 | .559 | — |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 29 | 28 | .509 | 3 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 30 | 29 | .508 | 3 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | 29 | 30 | .492 | 4 |
| Cottage Cheese | 27 | 32 | .454 | 6.2 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 19 | 40 | .322 | 14 |
| AL West | ||||
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES | PCT. | GB |
| Oakland A’s | 35 | 24 | .593 | — |
| Kaline Drive | 30 | 29 | .509 | 5 |
| Haviland Dragons | 30 | 29 | .505 | 5.2 |
| Houston Astros | 29 | 30 | .492 | 6 |
| Seattle Mariners | 27 | 32 | .458 | 8 |
| Los Angeles Angels | 26 | 33 | .441 | 9 |
| Texas Rangers | 21 | 38 | .356 | 14 |
| NL West | ||||
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES | PCT. | GB |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 42 | 17 | .712 | — |
| San Diego Padres | 36 | 23 | .610 | 6 |
| Peshastin Pears | 30 | 29 | .513 | 11.7 |
| San Francisco Giants | 29 | 30 | .492 | 13 |
| Colorado Rockies | 26 | 33 | .441 | 16 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | 24 | 35 | .407 | 18 |
| Portland Rosebuds | 18 | 41 | .307 | 23.9 |