Gossamers Off to Hot Start

The Gold Country Gossamers, operating under a new ATB owner Justin B, have stormed out of the gate and now hold the best record in ATB at 11-3. The Gossamers were a team many wondered about during the draft and pre-season. After all, as the years have gone by we've all slowly realized how important defense can be in a Diamond Mind Baseball league.

The Gossamers obviously knew this and raised the bar previously set by John McDonald Fanclub several years ago. Their lineup features several household names, but no elite thumpers. However, their defense is the best ever in ATB; here are their best starting defenders:

C - Av/84

1B - Vg/91

2B - Ex/59

3B - Ex/61

SS - Ex/74

LF - Ex/70

CF - Ex/100

RF - Ex/62

Remarkable.

The Gossamers will likely struggle to score runs as the season progresses (currently 10th in R/G) as the offensive prowess is lacking, on paper at least. Six of the nine positions are manned by full time platoons and there is virtually no power up and down the lineup. In 14 games the Gossamers have just 2 home runs. The result is a middle of the pack team in batting average and the ever important on base percentage.

In sacrificing offense, their elite defense of course aids a pitching staff immensely. The Gossamers are 2nd in the league in WHIP and 3rd in the league in ERA. This, despite the fact the best pitcher on the planet, Pedro Martinez, is off to a slow start (5.06 ERA, 1.36 WHIP).

Incredibly, Gold Country is 7-0 in one-run games. The question, is it due to their great defense and bullpen (45 IP, 1.00 ERA), or is it more a house of cards ready to collapse? Either way, the Gossamers are the most interesting team in ATB right now.