Hold My Log - 57.31 - Week 12 Creates Interest Again

[7teen]

It's been a crazy few weeks in Portland. A 4-game losing streak a few weeks ago left most people thinking the Lumberjacks were dead in race for a post-season spot. However, a 6-game winning streak in the final week June suddenly has Portland fans hanging on to some hope that perhaps this team can play some meaningful baseball in August and September. The only thing that has left a sour taste in the mouth of some in Portland after week 12 is the week concluded with a pair of losses to Vancouver.

"We can win 6, 10, hell 20 games in a row" responded GM Chris Wilson, "but if you lose a fucking series to Vancouver then who gives a shit." The Lumberjacks did capture the series opener in Vancouver to cap off the 6 game winning streak before dropping the final two in Vancouver. The series loss now puts the season series tied at 3-3 with both teams taking 2 of 3 games in their home building.

While Wilson may be dwelling on the final two losses, it should not overshadow the fact the team did win 5 games in a row that sim against divisional opponents, highlighted by the 2-game sweep over Sacramento. A Hugh Mangrouthormone homerun in the series opener highlighted a 2-1 win over the Mad Popes in the series opener while an offensive explosion in game two seeing 12 runs scored in the first 3 frames highlighted the 12-7 finale.

"I know they aren't at the top of the division right now, but many still view them as the team to beat" commented Daniel Frampton who's 2-run homer in the 2nd inning was part of the offensive outburst. "Showing we can beat these guys should give us confidence heading towards the break and into the second half that we can hang around in this division."

Prior to that sweep, the Lumberjacks swept Hawaii in another 2-game set. That series was highlighted by the game 1 walk-off win in extra innings in which Aires Penheranda singled home Cernunnos Haberknuckle for the win.

Portland will travel to San Fernando for a 2-game set next week before welcoming Omaha for a 4-game tilt at home before the All-Star break. Both series are pivotal heading to the break and San Fernando currently sits just above Portland in the Pacific division while Omaha is a game ahead of Portland in the wild card standings. The last time Portland faced Omaha was in Omaha when the Cyclones took all 4 games of the series. Neither team could afford to be swept this go around as both are 5 and 6 games respectively behind San Fernando for the final post-season spot.

[BaseClogger]

I was not expecting your team to be in the picture this year so that's a testament to your quick rebuild.

[7teen]

I was not expecting your team to be in the picture this year so that's a testament to your quick rebuild.

I honestly don't think we are legitimately in the picture though I'm enjoying selling the fact we are. I think the bottom drops out at some point though we are playing good at home and have a lot of home games coming up.

Until we can legitimately build a solid pitching staff again I don't think Portland is a true threat. I have enjoyed the "scrap heap" offensive signings the last few years though. We've been a top half of the league offense the last two seasons by simply signing guys late in the off-season or waiting until after the season starts.

[BaseClogger]

I was not expecting your team to be in the picture this year so that's a testament to your quick rebuild.

I honestly don't think we are legitimately in the picture though I'm enjoying selling the fact we are. I think the bottom drops out at some point though we are playing good at home and have a lot of home games coming up.

Until we can legitimately build a solid pitching staff again I don't think Portland is a true threat. I have enjoyed the "scrap heap" offensive signings the last few years though. We've been a top half of the league offense the last two seasons by simply signing guys late in the off-season or waiting until after the season starts.

Waiting on the late FAs is ironically a strategy that rebuilding teams can more easily utilize. If you're a contender you can't risk the wrong positions being available. When you're throwing stuff against the wall it doesn't matter.

[Knucklehead254]

"We can win 6, 10, hell 20 games in a row" responded GM Chris Wilson, "but if you lose a fucking series to Vancouver then who gives a shit."