MLB announced its All Star teams this year, and the EFL was well-represented. Even though there is a rule that each team must be represented, the Rosebuds were somehow left off. I’ll get in touch with Rob Manfred in order to correct this oversight. I mean, the Rosebuds have a better record than 5 MLB teams, and all of them ended up with one rep, so why did the Rosebuds get overlooked? Below are the EFL players who were either voted in or selected this year:
Flint Hill (7): Teoscar Hernández, Bo Bichette, Nathan Eovaldi, Carlos Rodón, Mookie Betts, Yu Darvish, Germán Márquez
Haviland (4): Nelson Cruz, J.T. Realmuto, Jake Cronenworth, Alex Reyes
Old Detroit (4): Rafael Devers, Carlos Correa, Adolis García, Craig Kimbrel
Peshastin (4): Mike Zunino, Ozzie Albies, Juan Soto, Trevor Rogers
Cottage (3): Marcus Semien, Shohei Ohtani, Trea Turner
Kaline (3): Aaron Judge, Jesse Winker, Mark Melancon
Canberra (2): Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Mike Trout
BC (2): Ronald Acuña Jr. , Kevin Gausman
DC (2): Xander Bogaerts, Joey Gallo
Pittsburgh (2): Jose Altuve, Max Muncy
EFL Standings for 2021
| EFL | ||||||
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES | PCT. | GB | RS | RA |
| Old Detroit Wolverines | 60 | 25 | .711 | — | 496.5 | 316.0 |
| Flint Hill Tornadoes | 56 | 29 | .654 | 4.9 | 419.3 | 305.0 |
| D.C. Balk | 52 | 28 | .651 | 5.8 | 449.8 | 332.3 |
| Peshastin Pears | 53 | 30 | .641 | 6.2 | 399.9 | 302.0 |
| Kaline Drive | 54 | 31 | .636 | 6.4 | 452.0 | 346.9 |
| Canberra Kangaroos | 49 | 31 | .612 | 9 | 409.9 | 330.7 |
| Haviland Dragons | 51 | 34 | .594 | 9.9 | 417.2 | 356.8 |
| Cottage Cheese | 45 | 40 | .527 | 15.6 | 478.5 | 466.8 |
| Pittsburgh Alleghenys | 43 | 40 | .520 | 16.2 | 420.5 | 401.3 |
| Bellingham Cascades | 41 | 42 | .488 | 18.9 | 340.4 | 349.7 |
| Portland Rosebuds | 35 | 48 | .427 | 24 | 413.4 | 484.1 |
Old Detroit: “L,” 6-4; 43PA, 7.3IP
| AVG: 0.366 | OBP: 0.395 | SLG: 0.415 | OPS: 0.810 |
| ERA: 3.70 | WHIP: 1.370 |
The best hitter, arguably, for the Wolverines yesterday was Jurickson Profar, who went 4 for 5. But he was only allocated 42%. The next best hitter, arguably, was Gavin Lux, who went 3 for 4 with a double. He was 100% allocated, which perhaps made him the best hitter. But no one else did much, including the All Stars on the team, who went a combined 3 for 13 with one double (Devers). Marcus Stroman came back, and did ok after his long break – 5 innings and 3 earned runs – but his nemesis for the day, Jonathan Loaisiga, did better – 2.3 innings and 0 runs. The Wolverine lead shrunk to 4.9 games, perhaps a harbinger of things heating up once again. Even though the city of Newberg banned fireworks, my neighbors ignored the ban, lighting them until 11pm. Maybe the EFL will have some fireworks of its own this month?
Flint Hill: W(2), L(-1), 8-0; 47PA, 15.7IP
| AVG: 0.318 | OBP: 0.362 | SLG: 0.455 | OPS: 0.816 |
| ERA: 1.72 | WHIP: 0.764 |
All Star German Marquez combined with the burgeoning star James Kaprielian to toss 13 innings, giving up only 3 runs and striking out 21 batters, while two relievers (Tanner Scott and Jake Cousins) added two more scoreless innings. All Stars Betts, Hernandez and Bichette combined to go 3 for 13, but Austin Meadows and Tim Anderson picked them up, going a combined 6 for 9 with 3 doubles (all from Meadows). Anthony Rendon added a home run before exiting with yet another injury, and the Tornadoes climbed within 4.9 games of the Wolverines – still a distance to cover but closer than they have been since early June.
DC: W(0), L(-2), 9-15; 42PA, 1IP
| AVG: 0.200 | OBP: 0.238 | SLG: 0.450 | OPS: 0.688 |
| ERA: 0.00 | WHIP: 0.000 |
The Balk had the double whammy of early in the month along with an extra game yesterday, and their pitching could not keep up. They are carrying 11.5 penalty innings right now, between replacements and appearances (or lack thereof). Pete Alonso had 2 home runs in 8 at bats, but everyone else had only one hit or no hits. Shed Long added a home run for his one hit. Like the previous two teams, the Balk All Stars did nothing to contribute – Joey Gallo went 0 for 4 and Xander Bogaerts didn’t play. The Balk slipped .7 more games behind the Wolverines.
Peshastin: L, 1-1; 25PA, 18IP
| AVG: 0.050 | OBP: 0.240 | SLG: 0.050 | OPS: 0.290 |
| ERA: 4.50 | WHIP: 1.500 |
Pear hitters have gone stone cold this month. After averaging over 5 runs a game last month, they are averaging 1.78 this month – a rate that has led to an 0-4 start. The Pear All Stars went 1 for 11 – that one hit coming from Juan Soto. It was the only hit the team got in 20 at bats. On the mound, three starters threw pretty well. Blake Snell, Freddy Peralta and Zach Thompson combined for 16 innings and 5 earned runs allowed. But Yimi Garcia ruined all of it, giving up 4 runs in 1 inning. On the last day of June the Pears were knocking on the Wolverine door, only 3.5 games behind. Just 4 days in to July they are now 6.2 games back. It’s time for those All Stars to prove their worth!
Kaline: L, 2-8; 62PA, 1.3IP
| AVG: 0.193 | OBP: 0.258 | SLG: 0.228 | OPS: 0.486 |
| ERA: 6.92 | WHIP: 2.308 |
The Drive offense, like the Pears, has come to a screeching halt this month. Last month’s runs per game for the Drive was 6.14, second best for the month. This month? 3.91, which isn’t awful, but is a dramatic drop-off that has led to their 1-3 start this month. The hitters collected 11 hits on the day, only two of them for extra bases – doubles from Akil Baddoo and Willy Adames. The All Stars combined for 2 hits in 11 at bats. The pitching was minimal and not great. The Drive have 17.3 penalty innings this month so far, which has also contributed to their slow start. The Drive have dropped 2.4 games more behind the Wolverines in the first week of the month, and now sit 6.4 games back.
Canberra: W(1), L(1), 12-9; 28PA, 14IP
| AVG: 0.357 | OBP: 0.357 | SLG: 0.571 | OPS: 0.929 |
| ERA: 3.86 | WHIP: 0.714 |
The Kangaroos played a double header, winning one and losing one. Every hitter but one collected at least one hit, and 4 of them collected 2 hits apiece. The best hitter was rookie Wander Franco, who went 2 for 4 with a double and a home run. Surprise stud Eric Haase went 2 for 4 with a double. All Star Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., went 1 for 4 with a double. Unfortunately, Caleb Smith gave up 5 runs in 6 innings, otherwise the Roos may have earned two wins on the day. Chris Flexen returned to goodness, tossing 6 innings and giving up 1 run.
Haviland: W, 7-5; 44PA, 4IP
| AVG: 0.250 | OBP: 0.318 | SLG: 0.575 | OPS: 0.893 |
| ERA: 2.25 | WHIP: 0.500 |
The Dragons eked out a win yesterday, due to good pitching and a lot of slugging. Chad Green threw 3 innings and gave up 0 runs – one of his innings was immaculate. Five of the ten Dragon hits were for extra bases – home runs by Harrison Bader, JT Realmuto, Gio Urshela and Alex Kirilloff and a double from All Star Jake Cronenworth. However, the Dragons are now just .1 games from falling 10 games behind the Wolverines.
Cottage: “W,” 4-5; 49PA, 3IP
| AVG: 0.233 | OBP: 0.327 | SLG: 0.372 | OPS: 0.699 |
| ERA: 0.00 | WHIP: 0.333 |
The Cheese delivered a surprising 16 strikeouts on the day – and not from the pitchers. Brandon Nimmo collected two hits on the day, but also 4 strikeouts. The two All Stars who played, Ohtani and Semien, went 1 for 8 with another 4 strikeouts. Collin McHugh threw 3 scoreless innings in relief, and the Cheese managed to notch a win even though they were outscored.
Pittsburgh: W, 7-(-1); 37PA, 8.3IP
| AVG: 0.286 | OBP: 0.324 | SLG: 0.514 | OPS: 0.839 |
| ERA: 0.00 | WHIP: 0.723 |
The Alleghenys notched a resounding win yesterday, with good performances from the hitters and the pitchers. All Star Max Muncy went 2 for 5 with 2 doubles, and Dansby Swanson matched him in one fewer at bat. Dominic Smith added the only home run for the day. On the mound, Tyler Anderson had an excellent outing, throwing 7 innings and allowing 0 runs.
Bellingham: W(2), L(-1), 34PA, 14.7IP
| AVG: 0.259 | OBP: 0.382 | SLG: 0.556 | OPS: 0.938 |
| ERA: 3.67 | WHIP: 1.020 |
The Cascades matched the Tornadoes, getting a 3 game swing in the right direction. Four of their 7 hits were for extra bases, including doubles from Rhys Hoskins and Curt Casali, and homeruns from All Star Ronald Acuna, Jr. and Kevin Newman. Anthony DeSclafani’s outing saved the day, it seems – he went 8 and 2/3 innings, giving up 2 earned runs. Charlie Morton was not as sharp, giving up 4 runs in 5.3 innings. The strong day from the Cascades moved them .3 games closer to first and one game away from .500.
Portland: L, 2-5; 31PA, 8.3IP
| AVG: 0.138 | OBP: 0.194 | SLG: 0.379 | OPS: 0.573 |
| ERA: 4.34 | WHIP: 0.602 |
The Rosebuds failed to hit very much, perhaps due to being snubbed in the All Star selections. Twins (not fraternal nor identical) Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler were about the only offense on the day, combining to go 3 for 9 with one double and 2 home runs. Mike Foltynewicz gave up all 4 runs allowed, doing so over 7 innings.
Combined MLB + EFL Standings for 2021
| AL East | ||||
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES | PCT. | GB |
| Old Detroit Wolverines | 60 | 25 | .711 | — |
| Flint Hill Tornadoes | 56 | 29 | .654 | 4.9 |
| Boston Red Sox | 53 | 32 | .624 | 7.4 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | 48 | 36 | .571 | 11.9 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 43 | 39 | .524 | 15.9 |
| New York Yankees | 42 | 41 | .506 | 17.4 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 27 | 57 | .321 | 32.9 |
| NL East | ||||
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES | PCT. | GB |
| D.C. Balk | 52 | 28 | .651 | — |
| Canberra Kangaroos | 49 | 31 | .612 | 3.2 |
| New York Mets | 43 | 37 | .538 | 9.1 |
| Atlanta Braves | 41 | 42 | .494 | 12.6 |
| Washington Nationals | 40 | 42 | .488 | 13.1 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 39 | 42 | .481 | 13.6 |
| Miami Marlins | 35 | 47 | .427 | 18.1 |
| AL Central | ||||
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES | PCT. | GB |
| Chicago White Sox | 49 | 34 | .590 | — |
| Pittsburgh Alleghenys | 43 | 40 | .520 | 5.8 |
| Cleveland Indians | 42 | 39 | .519 | 6 |
| Bellingham Cascades | 41 | 42 | .488 | 8.5 |
| Detroit Tigers | 38 | 46 | .452 | 11.5 |
| Kansas City Royals | 35 | 48 | .422 | 14 |
| Minnesota Twins | 34 | 48 | .415 | 14.5 |
| NL Central | ||||
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES | PCT. | GB |
| Milwaukee Brewers | 51 | 34 | .600 | — |
| Cottage Cheese | 45 | 40 | .527 | 6.2 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 43 | 40 | .518 | 7 |
| Chicago Cubs | 42 | 42 | .500 | 8.5 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 41 | 44 | .482 | 10 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 30 | 53 | .361 | 20 |
| AL West | ||||
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES | PCT. | GB |
| Kaline Drive | 54 | 31 | .636 | — |
| Houston Astros | 52 | 33 | .612 | 2.1 |
| Haviland Dragons | 51 | 34 | .594 | 3.5 |
| Oakland A’s | 49 | 37 | .570 | 5.6 |
| Seattle Mariners | 45 | 40 | .529 | 9.1 |
| Los Angeles Angels | 42 | 41 | .506 | 11.1 |
| Texas Rangers | 33 | 51 | .393 | 20.6 |
| NL West | ||||
| TEAM | WINS | LOSSES | PCT. | GB |
| Peshastin Pears | 53 | 30 | .641 | — |
| San Francisco Giants | 53 | 30 | .639 | 0.2 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 53 | 31 | .631 | 0.7 |
| San Diego Padres | 50 | 36 | .581 | 4.7 |
| Colorado Rockies | 37 | 48 | .435 | 17.2 |
| Portland Rosebuds | 35 | 48 | .427 | 17.8 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | 23 | 63 | .267 | 31.7 |
Jose Altuve played the first half and earned his All Star status as an Allegheny, but for the second half of the season, he will change uniforms and perform well, I hope, as a member of the Drive.