Limp, stumble, stagger
The Wild Things are a struggling lot. Have been for weeks. A 13-16 record in their last 29 games. Only one series win in their last seven on the road. They are limping to the finish line in the race for the Frontier League's East Division title.
The season has become a maze after it started amazing (remember when this team was 13-6? Or 32-17?). Just when you think the Wild Things are building some momentum, the season winds left, right, down one alley and up the next, always reaching a dead end. Momentum has become elusive. Washington hasn't won three in a row since the first week after the all-star break.
Sure, the Wild Things have a 6 1/2-game lead in the Frontier League's East Division, but Washington is currently playing as if its mere presence in the playoffs should be thrown into doubt. The Wild Things played their first game of the season against West Division-leader Gateway on Friday night. This series, along with the three-game set at home next week against Gateway, is a chance to make a statement about a potential postseason matchup. So what happened? The Wild Things promptly gave up 18 runs, which is the most ever allowed by a Washington team (also gave up 18 at home against Windy City last year). Gateway hit four home runs.
This team has problems. Tom Cochran, the No. 2 starter, has lost seven consecutive starts. The first four losses can't be pinned solely on Cochran's pitching. He was a victim of a little or no run support. The last three losses, however, have been the result of Cochran's ineffectiveness. Getting Cochran back on track over the next two weeks is a must.
Cochran is not the only pitcher struggling. Three times in the last 10 days, Washington has scored at least 7 runs only to end up with a loss. When the hitting picks up, the pitching goes bad. Another dead end in the maze.
The best thing the Wild Things have going for them is, after the current series at Gateway, 11 of the last 15 games will be played at Consol Energy Park with the last five being against Slippery Rock. If Washington plays one game under .500 for the rest of the regular season, then Chillicothe must go 15-1 to win the division. Then again, playing one game under .500 keeps the Wild Things stuck in the maze of mediocrity.
The season has become a maze after it started amazing (remember when this team was 13-6? Or 32-17?). Just when you think the Wild Things are building some momentum, the season winds left, right, down one alley and up the next, always reaching a dead end. Momentum has become elusive. Washington hasn't won three in a row since the first week after the all-star break.
Sure, the Wild Things have a 6 1/2-game lead in the Frontier League's East Division, but Washington is currently playing as if its mere presence in the playoffs should be thrown into doubt. The Wild Things played their first game of the season against West Division-leader Gateway on Friday night. This series, along with the three-game set at home next week against Gateway, is a chance to make a statement about a potential postseason matchup. So what happened? The Wild Things promptly gave up 18 runs, which is the most ever allowed by a Washington team (also gave up 18 at home against Windy City last year). Gateway hit four home runs.
This team has problems. Tom Cochran, the No. 2 starter, has lost seven consecutive starts. The first four losses can't be pinned solely on Cochran's pitching. He was a victim of a little or no run support. The last three losses, however, have been the result of Cochran's ineffectiveness. Getting Cochran back on track over the next two weeks is a must.
Cochran is not the only pitcher struggling. Three times in the last 10 days, Washington has scored at least 7 runs only to end up with a loss. When the hitting picks up, the pitching goes bad. Another dead end in the maze.
The best thing the Wild Things have going for them is, after the current series at Gateway, 11 of the last 15 games will be played at Consol Energy Park with the last five being against Slippery Rock. If Washington plays one game under .500 for the rest of the regular season, then Chillicothe must go 15-1 to win the division. Then again, playing one game under .500 keeps the Wild Things stuck in the maze of mediocrity.
posted by Chris Dugan at
1:23 PM
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