The Sparta Hoplites are American League team of the Week. They sported a best in the AL, +24 run differential, and won 9 of 14 to open up a commanding 7.5 game lead in the East.
Edgar Martinez was the team's best hitter batting .315 / .422 / .574 with 11 RBI. Todd Helton, Chipper Jones, and Orator Shaffer added double digit RBI totals as well. The strength of this offense seems to be the walk, after drawing a league leading 63 free passes in Sim 4 they now have 254 on the year, while the next best team Manetheren has just 214.
During the first three Sims Hoplite starters not named Maddux were among the league's worst. In Sim 4 however, Frank Sullivan, Kevin Brown, and Jerry Reuss all pitched very well with a combined ERA well under 3.00. Only Warren Hacker continued to struggle. The bullpen is an asset and most eyes are on Bobby Jenks who pitched another 5.1 innings without giving up an earned run, bringing his season total up to 28.2
Sparta took 3 of 5 from the Brews, 2 of 3 from the Wildlings, split 4 with the "Mechanics", and won the first two games against Ball Four before the Sim came to an end.
Over in the NL, sparked by a recent trade, the Puerto Cabellas Pandas went 11-4 and climbed out of the cellar in the NL West. After a ho-hum Sim from the division leading Bears, Puerto Cabellas is now 5.5 games back and tied for the Wild Card lead.
Jonathan Papelbon, the biggest name in the trade with The Wildings had a great week, nailing down saves in 4 opportunities and pitching a total of 7 times with a 1.13 ERA. This bullpen is great, Aroldis Chapman (0.79 ERA), Cla Meredith (1.23 ERA), and BJ Ryan (3.00 ERA) all had good Sims. It was needed too as the starting pitchers faltered throwing just 5 quality starts in 15 chances.
To win 11 games then, the Cabellas had to bash their way to victories by scoring an awesome 6.8 runs per game. There were three standouts:
George Brett: .379 / .397 / .636, 6 2B, 3 HR, 13 R, 14 RBI
Tip O'Neill:: .412 / .446 / .745, 9 EBH, 14 R, 11 RBI
Babe Herman:: .305 / .377 / .441, 17 R, 10 RBI
After a slow start to the sim, the Pandas reeled off 8 wins in a row and 9 of 10. During the win streak the swept the Tigers, Chips, and Handbasket outscoring their opponents 71-40.
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