It is common knowledge that good pitchers get hitters to expand the zone, swinging at pitches outside of the zone inducing weak contact or, as is more recently the case, strike outs.
But the EFL might be experiencing a new phenomenon – good pitchers expanding the league.
As our season now makes its way into the third week, I have been paying attention to things that might be contributing to our dominance. Currently, and EFL team is in first or second place in 4 of 6 MLB divisions. As has been documented, our league winning % is above .500, and if things don’t change, we will be forced to have an expansion draft at the end of the season. Now, to be fair, stats don’t normalize for several weeks into a season, so what we are experiencing could be just a hot or cold streak on the way back to a norm. But perhaps we have become very good at finding breakouts and, as a result, we will continue to perform better than most MLB teams.
This morning I want to look at pitching. Our league pitching has been excellent overall. If you take a look at the Monthly Stats page, you will see that every single team but two has a team ERA under 4. If you add our top teams in terms of ERA into the MLB standings (with our EFL teams added in, the total number of MLB/EFL teams is 41) you’ll see 8 of us fall in the top half with the Portland Rosebuds occupying the 21st spot. This is the best I can recall our league pitching performing in a long time. Granted, it is only 16 games (10% of the season) into the season, but if this trend continues we will no doubt be forced to expand.
EFL Standings for 2021
| TEAM |
WINS |
LOSSES |
PCT. |
GB |
RS |
RA |
| Old Detroit Wolverines |
12 |
4 |
.763 |
— |
89.5 |
49.9 |
| Haviland Dragons |
11 |
5 |
.694 |
1.1 |
69.3 |
46.0 |
| Flint Hill Tornadoes |
11 |
5 |
.690 |
1.2 |
63.6 |
42.6 |
| Canberra Kangaroos |
7 |
4 |
.658 |
2.5 |
66.6 |
48.0 |
| Pittsburgh Alleghenys |
9 |
5 |
.623 |
2.5 |
73.2 |
56.9 |
| D.C. Balk |
7 |
4 |
.622 |
2.9 |
52.4 |
40.9 |
| Peshastin Pears |
9 |
7 |
.571 |
3.1 |
71.5 |
62.0 |
| Kaline Drive |
9 |
7 |
.567 |
3.1 |
68.5 |
59.8 |
| Bellingham Cascades |
8 |
6 |
.559 |
3.4 |
61.8 |
54.9 |
| Portland Rosebuds |
8 |
8 |
.482 |
4.5 |
66.0 |
68.4 |
| Cottage Cheese |
6 |
9 |
.372 |
6.1 |
81.0 |
105.3 |
Old Detroit: W(1), L(1); 6-4
| AVG: 0.143 |
OBP: 0.231 |
SLG: 0.143 |
OPS: 0.374 |
PA: 39 |
The awful hitting continued for the Wolverines, but it was without any consequence, apparently, as their lead over the field increased by .3 games. Their day at the plate consisted of 5 singles (2 from Austin Riley), 2 BBS and 2 HBPs. But on the mound was a different story, led by two old guys whose age combined is 61, but whose combined ERA over 9 innings was 60 less than that. It is perhaps a good thing for the rest of that the Wolverine offense has slowed it’s torrid pace to begin the season if their pitching is going to be even better than it has been this month.
Haviland: W(3), L(0); 15-6
| AVG: 0.267 |
OBP: 0.313 |
SLG: 0.533 |
OPS: 0.846 |
PA: 32 |
| ERA: 0.75 |
WHIP: 0.917 |
IP: 12.0 |
Speaking of unusually torrid things, the Dragons roared back into second place after 3 wins in one day, gaining an entire win on the leading Wolverines and displacing two other teams along the way. The stars on the day stood 60 feet, 6 inches away from home plate, while managing to bring the team closer to its goal. Pablo Lopez (6ip, 0er), Michael Kopech (3ip, 1er), Chad Green (2ip, 0er) and Jose Alvarado (1ip, 0er) were the heroes/culprits. Every Dragon hitter but one collected a hit, including two triple (1 each by Joc Pederson and Ramon Laureano).
Flint Hill: W(1), L(1); 5-7
| AVG: 0.097 |
OBP: 0.176 |
SLG: 0.194 |
OPS: 0.370 |
The Tornado offense has been truly terrible all month, confirmed by it’s last place standing in the league for RC/G (3.97). Yesterday was no different, with the team collecting 3 hits on the day. Enrique Hernandez did sneak a HR around the Pesky Pole, but not much else happened. The pitching was not as strong as it has been this month (a league-leading ERA of 2.47 over 149ip), but it was good enough to earn a least one win on a double-header day.
Canberra: L, 4-6
| AVG: 0.192 |
OBP: 0.214 |
SLG: 0.269 |
OPS: 0.484 |
PA: 29 |
| ERA: 6.79 |
WHIP: 1.321 |
IP: 5.3 |
Perhaps inspired by their starting pitchers last name, the Roos put up a stinker yesterday. Jake Odorizzi threw 4.3ip and gave up 4ER, a hole deep enough that even kangaroo legs could not escape. Javier Baez contributed some offense (surprisingly, sad to say), going 2 for 4 with a 2B and a SB, and JBJ also chipped in 2 hits including a 2B.
Pittsburgh: “W,” 1-4
| AVG: 0.138 |
OBP: 0.219 |
SLG: 0.207 |
OPS: 0.426 |
PA: 32 |
| ERA: 0.00 |
WHIP: 1.000 |
IP: 1.0 |
The Alleghenys say thank you very much to the EFL algorithms for the win yesterday, while collecting 4 hits in 32 PAs and pitching only 1 inning (albeit a scoreless one). First-round pick Luis Robert chipped in 2 hits, including a double, and Jorge Soler added in another double.
DC: L, 4-6
| |
AVG: 0.241 |
OBP: 0.281 |
SLG: 0.414 |
OPS: 0.695 |
Were it not for Bryce Harper, things may be a bit more dour in DC this morning. Harper is hot right now, yesterday going 3 for 3 with a 2B, HR and a BB. The rest of the team? 4 for 26. The pitchers were too busy watching Harper mash, thinking he alone may do enough to earn a win. Martin Perez gave up 4 runs in 3.7ip, but the crafty Crochet added one inning of scoreless relief.
Peshastin: W, 8-4
| AVG: 0.265 |
OBP: 0.432 |
SLG: 0.441 |
OPS: 0.873 |
| ERA: 2.70 |
WHIP: 0.900 |
IP: 10.0 |
It was surprising to see the Pears had fallen to 7th place after just a few days ago threatening the first place Wolverines. Maybe they feel a little more comfortable closer to the ground. The pitching was excellent, led by Alex Wood’s 5ip and 3ER allowed. Freddy Peralta created a little drama of his own, also contributing 5ip but giving up 3 runs. The Pears hit for a team cycle, led by Mitch Haniger (2 for 4 with a 2B and a 3B). As a team they collected more BBs (7) than Ks (5), a great recipe for a win.
Kaline: W(1), L(2); 11-11
| AVG: 0.229 |
OBP: 0.229 |
SLG: 0.286 |
OPS: 0.514 |
PA: 35 |
| ERA: 0.00 |
WHIP: 0.556 |
IP: 9.0 |
As much as the Dragons were helped by the Mariners taking over first place, the Drive were hurt – mostly due to needing more IP than they have in order to cover that many games. At least for the Driver there is consolation in the Mariners being in first place! The pitching was excellent yesterday, and if there had been only one game, the Drive would have certainly won. John Means went 7ip and gave up nary a run. The sweet reliever duo M & M (Melancon and Montero) combined for 2 relief innings without giving up a run – that’ll leave a good taste in your mouth! Bobby Dalbec and Michael Conforto contributed 5 of the team’s 8 hits, and the rest of those 11 runs came from suppressed ABs let loose once the Ms took over first in the division.
Bellingham: W, 4-3
| AVG: 0.206 |
OBP: 0.341 |
SLG: 0.294 |
OPS: 0.636 |
| ERA: 0.00 |
WHIP: 0.333 |
IP: 3.0 |
While the Cascades are glad for a win, their minds have to be burdened by the exit of their star, Acuna, Jr., leaving the game yesterday with an abdominal injury. Tim Anderson hit a leadoff home run and contributed another 3 hits to go 3 for 4 on the day, and Marcell Ozuna went 2 for 4 with 2 singles and 2 walks. 3 scoreless relief innings contributed by Ljay Newsom and Devin Williams was good enough to eke out a win.
Portland: “W,” 1-1
| AVG: 0.150 |
OBP: 0.227 |
SLG: 0.200 |
OPS: 0.427 |
PA: 22 |
The Rosebuds won, now cosmetically .500 though their winning percentage is a touch below that mark. Unsurprisingly, Nick Solak and Travis Shaw led the way (they were actually the only Buds to get a hit), combining for 3 hits in 8 ABs. The pitching was pretty good, too – with Bryse Wilson and Nick Margevicius combining for 3 runs in 9 innings.
Cottage: W, 5-4
| AVG: 0.243 |
OBP: 0.293 |
SLG: 0.432 |
OPS: 0.725 |
Even without getting any pitching, the Cheese pulled out a win. Trea Turner had the best Cheese day by far, going 2 for 4, both hits HRs. Alex Verdugo collected 2 more hits, both singles.
Combined MLB + EFL Standings for 2021
| TEAM |
WINS |
LOSSES |
PCT. |
GB |
| Old Detroit Wolverines |
12 |
4 |
.763 |
— |
| Flint Hill Tornadoes |
11 |
5 |
.690 |
1.2 |
| Boston Red Sox |
10 |
6 |
.625 |
2.2 |
| Tampa Bay Rays |
8 |
8 |
.500 |
4.2 |
| Baltimore Orioles |
7 |
9 |
.438 |
5.2 |
| Toronto Blue Jays |
7 |
9 |
.438 |
5.2 |
| New York Yankees |
5 |
10 |
.333 |
6.7 |
| TEAM |
WINS |
LOSSES |
PCT. |
GB |
| Canberra Kangaroos |
7 |
4 |
.658 |
— |
| New York Mets |
7 |
4 |
.636 |
0.2 |
| D.C. Balk |
7 |
4 |
.622 |
0.4 |
| Philadelphia Phillies |
8 |
7 |
.533 |
1.2 |
| Miami Marlins |
7 |
8 |
.467 |
2.2 |
| Atlanta Braves |
7 |
9 |
.438 |
2.7 |
| Washington Nationals |
5 |
8 |
.385 |
3.2 |
| TEAM |
WINS |
LOSSES |
PCT. |
GB |
| Kansas City Royals |
9 |
5 |
.643 |
— |
| Pittsburgh Alleghenys |
9 |
5 |
.623 |
0.3 |
| Bellingham Cascades |
8 |
6 |
.559 |
1.2 |
| Cleveland Indians |
8 |
7 |
.533 |
1.5 |
| Chicago White Sox |
8 |
8 |
.500 |
2 |
| Minnesota Twins |
6 |
8 |
.429 |
3 |
| Detroit Tigers |
6 |
10 |
.375 |
4 |
| TEAM |
WINS |
LOSSES |
PCT. |
GB |
| Cincinnati Reds |
9 |
6 |
.600 |
— |
| Milwaukee Brewers |
8 |
7 |
.533 |
1 |
| St. Louis Cardinals |
7 |
8 |
.467 |
2 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates |
7 |
9 |
.438 |
2.5 |
| Chicago Cubs |
6 |
9 |
.400 |
3 |
| Cottage Cheese |
6 |
9 |
.372 |
3.4 |
| TEAM |
WINS |
LOSSES |
PCT. |
GB |
| Haviland Dragons |
11 |
5 |
.694 |
— |
| Seattle Mariners |
10 |
6 |
.625 |
1.1 |
| Los Angeles Angels |
8 |
5 |
.615 |
1.6 |
| Kaline Drive |
9 |
7 |
.567 |
2 |
| Oakland A’s |
9 |
7 |
.563 |
2.1 |
| Houston Astros |
7 |
8 |
.467 |
3.6 |
| Texas Rangers |
7 |
9 |
.438 |
4.1 |
| TEAM |
WINS |
LOSSES |
PCT. |
GB |
| Los Angeles Dodgers |
13 |
3 |
.813 |
— |
| San Francisco Giants |
9 |
6 |
.600 |
3.5 |
| San Diego Padres |
10 |
7 |
.588 |
3.5 |
| Peshastin Pears |
9 |
7 |
.571 |
3.9 |
| Portland Rosebuds |
8 |
8 |
.482 |
5.3 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks |
6 |
10 |
.375 |
7 |
| Colorado Rockies |
4 |
12 |
.250 |
9 |
