Here are the Strat game recaps from the 2018 World Series, in which the No. 1 Elysian Fields Dutchmen defeated the No. 2 Mohawk Valley Lions four games to none.
Game One
Dutchmen 5, Lions 4
Zack Greinke @ Max Scherzer
Max Scherzer retired 10 batters on strikeouts at Elysian Fields as the Elysian Fields Flying Dutchmen beat the Mohawk Valley Lions by the count of 5 to 4.
Scherzer (3-2) delivered a fine performance for Elysian Fields. He went 7 innings allowing 6 hits and 3 walks. Mohawk Valley made it exciting in the 9th, but they were unable to push the needed runs across.
Scherzer got help from Roberto Osuna who earned his 3rd save. The loss was charged to Andrew Miller (0-1) in relief.
Showing posts with label Mohawk Valley Lions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mohawk Valley Lions. Show all posts
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Examining 15 Years Of League History In Five-Year Windows
Note: I updated this file with a corrected calculation for ERA+, which altered a few pitching and balance leaders (March 18, 2017).
The MMDA just completed its 15th season of play in its "online" era. This means we have comprehensive player, team and league data for every season from 2002 through 2016.
To celebrate this odd anniversary, I sliced the data into three five-years periods to see how things shook out. Which were the best regular-season teams from 2002 to 2006? Which teams dominated the playoffs from 2007 to 2011? Which players or teams established league records from 2012 to 2016?
Now we have the answers to these esoteric questions and more.
Granted, dividing the seasons into five-year buckets based on chronology is arbitrary. So at the end of this piece, I divide MMDA history into periods along lines that a historian might draw.
In the tables below PF stands for park factor. Pyth stands for Pythagorean record.
I. Period One: 2002–2006
The best regular season managers from 2002 to 2006 as ranked by wins.
The MMDA just completed its 15th season of play in its "online" era. This means we have comprehensive player, team and league data for every season from 2002 through 2016.
To celebrate this odd anniversary, I sliced the data into three five-years periods to see how things shook out. Which were the best regular-season teams from 2002 to 2006? Which teams dominated the playoffs from 2007 to 2011? Which players or teams established league records from 2012 to 2016?
Now we have the answers to these esoteric questions and more.
Granted, dividing the seasons into five-year buckets based on chronology is arbitrary. So at the end of this piece, I divide MMDA history into periods along lines that a historian might draw.
In the tables below PF stands for park factor. Pyth stands for Pythagorean record.
I. Period One: 2002–2006
The best regular season managers from 2002 to 2006 as ranked by wins.
| No | Manager | W | L | Pct | R/G | OPS+ | RA/G | ERA+ | Home | Road | PF | Pyth |
| 1 | Steven Tresca | 470 | 340 | .580 | 5.89 | 119 | 4.80 | 103 | +23 | +42 | 100 | .589 |
| 2 | John Tresca | 451 | 359 | .557 | 4.94 | 101 | 4.52 | 109 | +21 | +25 | 100 | .537 |
| 3 | James Bailey | 450 | 360 | .556 | 5.48 | 109 | 4.78 | 107 | +30 | +15 | 109 | .561 |
| 4 | Ray Ross | 441 | 369 | .544 | 4.62 | 94 | 4.13 | 115 | +7 | +29 | 93 | .544 |
| 5 | Mike Capriotti | 440 | 370 | .543 | 4.65 | 93 | 4.30 | 112 | +26 | +9 | 104 | .538 |
Friday, October 28, 2016
Round Two: Lake County 4, Mohawk Valley 1
Game recaps from the Strat box scores. In this round two
matchup, the No. 5 Mohawk Valley Lions (93-69) met the No. 8 Lake County Nighthawks (88-74).
Game One
Nighthawks 4, Lions1
Starters: Sonny Gray @ Stephen Strasburg
Sonny Gray delivered 8 solid innings at The Lion's Den where the Lake County Nighthawks beat the Mohawk Valley Lions by the score of 4 to 1.
Lake County scored 2 runs in the 5th inning with the help of 3 hits. It was enough to earn the victory. Wade Davis pitched a perfect ninth to earn his 1st save.
Gray (1-0) got the win allowing 1 run in 8 innings. Joe Smith (0-1) was given the loss in relief. He gave up 1 run and 1 hit in 1 2/3 innings.
Game One
Nighthawks 4, Lions1
Starters: Sonny Gray @ Stephen Strasburg
Sonny Gray delivered 8 solid innings at The Lion's Den where the Lake County Nighthawks beat the Mohawk Valley Lions by the score of 4 to 1.
Lake County scored 2 runs in the 5th inning with the help of 3 hits. It was enough to earn the victory. Wade Davis pitched a perfect ninth to earn his 1st save.
Gray (1-0) got the win allowing 1 run in 8 innings. Joe Smith (0-1) was given the loss in relief. He gave up 1 run and 1 hit in 1 2/3 innings.
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Round One: Mohawk Valley 4, Elysian Fields 2
Game recaps from the Strat box scores. In this round one
matchup, the No. 4 Elysian Fields Flying Dutchmen (94-68) met the No. 5 Mohawk Valley Lions (93-69).
Game One
Dutchmen 4, Lions 0
Starters: David Price @ Jake Arrieta
Jake Arrieta came through with a solid 8 innings at Elysian Fields where the Elysian Fields Flying Dutchmen beat the Mohawk Valley Lions 4 to 0.
Arrieta (1-0) was indeed brilliant as he hand-cuffed the Mohawk Valley offense. He surrendered only 2 hits and 1 walk in 8 innings. Elysian Fields finished with 8 hits while Mohawk Valley ended up with 4.
Arrieta got help from Trevor Rosenthal who earned his 1st save. David Price (0-1) was the losing pitcher. He pitched 5 innings and surrendered 4 hits and 1 walk.
Game One
Dutchmen 4, Lions 0
Starters: David Price @ Jake Arrieta
Jake Arrieta came through with a solid 8 innings at Elysian Fields where the Elysian Fields Flying Dutchmen beat the Mohawk Valley Lions 4 to 0.
Arrieta (1-0) was indeed brilliant as he hand-cuffed the Mohawk Valley offense. He surrendered only 2 hits and 1 walk in 8 innings. Elysian Fields finished with 8 hits while Mohawk Valley ended up with 4.
Arrieta got help from Trevor Rosenthal who earned his 1st save. David Price (0-1) was the losing pitcher. He pitched 5 innings and surrendered 4 hits and 1 walk.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Top Eight Rotations You Want To Avoid In The Playoffs
By Matt Eddy
How strong is the link between rotation quality and team success in a 20-team Strat league? In the case of the MMDA: pretty strong.
Prior to the 2015 season, I ranked the top eight MMDA rotations in terms of the quality of each club's top four starters—the quartet most likely to appear in a playoff series. As it turned out, four of the top six teams on that ranking advanced to the league semifinals in 2015. The No. 2 Miami Manatees met the No. 3 Northwest Stars in one bracket, while in the other, the No. 4 Mohawk Valley Lions combated the No. 6 Spokane Hooded Crows.
So let's give it another go. Just like last year, I will rank in this space the eight most fearsome rotations in
the MMDA, at least according to the on-base and total-base units for the top
four starter cards on each team.
The methodology is slightly changed this year. I used the SOM World starting pitcher rankings to remove my subjectivity and personal bias from the exercise. I also weighted the starter cards on a simple 4-3-2-1 scale to reward clubs with top-heavy rotations. After all, a club's top two starters likely will compile the most playoff innings.
Each club's top four starters—again, according to SOM World—are included here, along with their overall rank among starters. An asterisk (*) denotes that a pitcher may come back on short rest in the playoffs.
1. Spokane Hooded Crows (Pacific)
RHP Zack Greinke (2*), LHP Clayton Kershaw (3*), RHP Jesse Hahn (15), LHP Cole Hamels (16*)
Four of the top 20 starters in the 2016 set can be found in the Crows' rotation, so this is the matchup that opposing teams will want to put off as long as possible in the playoffs. Greinke (1.66 ERA) and Kershaw (301 strikeouts) form the best righty-lefty one-two punch in the game, and both of them can pitch on short rest in the playoffs. Gulp.
How strong is the link between rotation quality and team success in a 20-team Strat league? In the case of the MMDA: pretty strong.
Prior to the 2015 season, I ranked the top eight MMDA rotations in terms of the quality of each club's top four starters—the quartet most likely to appear in a playoff series. As it turned out, four of the top six teams on that ranking advanced to the league semifinals in 2015. The No. 2 Miami Manatees met the No. 3 Northwest Stars in one bracket, while in the other, the No. 4 Mohawk Valley Lions combated the No. 6 Spokane Hooded Crows.
The methodology is slightly changed this year. I used the SOM World starting pitcher rankings to remove my subjectivity and personal bias from the exercise. I also weighted the starter cards on a simple 4-3-2-1 scale to reward clubs with top-heavy rotations. After all, a club's top two starters likely will compile the most playoff innings.
Each club's top four starters—again, according to SOM World—are included here, along with their overall rank among starters. An asterisk (*) denotes that a pitcher may come back on short rest in the playoffs.
1. Spokane Hooded Crows (Pacific)
RHP Zack Greinke (2*), LHP Clayton Kershaw (3*), RHP Jesse Hahn (15), LHP Cole Hamels (16*)
Four of the top 20 starters in the 2016 set can be found in the Crows' rotation, so this is the matchup that opposing teams will want to put off as long as possible in the playoffs. Greinke (1.66 ERA) and Kershaw (301 strikeouts) form the best righty-lefty one-two punch in the game, and both of them can pitch on short rest in the playoffs. Gulp.
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Lions Capture Second Straight MMDA Title
The Mohawk Valley Lions roared to a second straight MMDA title with an unlikely sweep of the top-seeded Northwest Stars in the World Series. The Lions overcame early deficits in three of the four games, a feat made possible by a pitching staff (and defense) that allowed just seven runs and a 1.75 ERA in the World Series.
Luck never seemed to leave the Lions' side in the 2015 postseason. They went 5-2 in one-run games, 4-0 in extra-inning games and 7-1 on the road. They lost their first two playoff games at home, when they scored only one run in 18 innings against the Pilots' Jake Arrieta and Carlos Carrasco. Then they played 19 extra innings in six tense games with the Crows in which Spokane outscored Mohawk Valley by one run. The Lions lost the first game of that series at home, too.
Two of Mohawk Valley's biggest stars shined brightly in the World Series, when league MVP Andrew McCutchen and league Cy Young Award winner David Price stepped up their games. McCutchen hit .333 (5-for-15) with two home runs, a double, three walks, four runs and six RBIs. He drove in the game-winning runs in Games One and Four. Price picked up the win in the title-clinching Game Four, and in his two starts logged a 1.74 ERA with 12 strikeouts, three walks and nine hits allowed in 10 1/3 innings.
Brief capsules of each World Series game follow.
![]() |
| Andrew McCutchen hit .333 with two home runs and six RBIs in four World Series games |
Two of Mohawk Valley's biggest stars shined brightly in the World Series, when league MVP Andrew McCutchen and league Cy Young Award winner David Price stepped up their games. McCutchen hit .333 (5-for-15) with two home runs, a double, three walks, four runs and six RBIs. He drove in the game-winning runs in Games One and Four. Price picked up the win in the title-clinching Game Four, and in his two starts logged a 1.74 ERA with 12 strikeouts, three walks and nine hits allowed in 10 1/3 innings.
Brief capsules of each World Series game follow.
Friday, October 23, 2015
World Series: Mohawk Valley 4, Northwest 0
Game recaps from the Strat-generated box scores. In this World Series
matchup, the No. 1 Northwest Stars (117-45) had home-field advantage
versus the No. 2 Mohawk Valley Lions (113-49).
Game One
Lions 3, Stars 2
Starters: David Price @ Doug Fister
Mohawk Valley brought 2 runs across the plate in the 5th inning when they had 3 base hits. The key at-bat was by Andrew McCutchen who quieted the crowd when he clubbed a two-run home run. Northwest made it exciting in the 9th, but they were unable to push the needed runs across.
The win went to Fernando Abad (2-0), who allowed no runs in 1 2/3 innings. Abad was helped out by Joe Smith, who recorded his 4th save. Doug Fister (0-2) was the losing pitcher.
Game One
Lions 3, Stars 2
Starters: David Price @ Doug Fister
Mohawk Valley brought 2 runs across the plate in the 5th inning when they had 3 base hits. The key at-bat was by Andrew McCutchen who quieted the crowd when he clubbed a two-run home run. Northwest made it exciting in the 9th, but they were unable to push the needed runs across.
The win went to Fernando Abad (2-0), who allowed no runs in 1 2/3 innings. Abad was helped out by Joe Smith, who recorded his 4th save. Doug Fister (0-2) was the losing pitcher.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Round Two: Mohawk Valley 4, Spokane 2
Game recaps from the Strat-generated box scores. In this Round Two
matchup, the No. 2 Mohawk Valley Lions (113-49) had home-field advantage
versus the No. 6 Spokane Hooded Crows (88-74).
Game One
Crows 2, Lions 1
Starters: Cole Hamels @ Stephen Strasburg
At The Lion's Den, the Mohawk Valley fans witnessed a great pitcher's duel. Cole Hamels (1-1) finally bested his Mohawk Valley opposite, Stephen Strasburg (1-1), by the score of 2 to 1.
Hamels gave a fine effort for Spokane. He surrendered 5 hits and 2 walks in 6 1/3 innings. Spokane finished with just 4 hits in the victory.
Hamels got help from Tony Sipp who earned his 4th save. The loss was charged to Strasburg. He pitched 7 1/3 innings giving up only 3 hits and 1 walk.
Game One
Crows 2, Lions 1
Starters: Cole Hamels @ Stephen Strasburg
At The Lion's Den, the Mohawk Valley fans witnessed a great pitcher's duel. Cole Hamels (1-1) finally bested his Mohawk Valley opposite, Stephen Strasburg (1-1), by the score of 2 to 1.
Hamels gave a fine effort for Spokane. He surrendered 5 hits and 2 walks in 6 1/3 innings. Spokane finished with just 4 hits in the victory.
Hamels got help from Tony Sipp who earned his 4th save. The loss was charged to Strasburg. He pitched 7 1/3 innings giving up only 3 hits and 1 walk.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Round One: Mohawk Valley 4, Rochester 2
Game recaps from the Strat-generated box scores. In this Round One
matchup, the No. 2 Mohawk Valley Lions (113-49) had home-field advantage
versus the No. 7 Rochester Pilots (86-76).
Game One
Pilots 2, Lions 1
Starters: Jake Arrieta @ Garrett Richards
In a thriller the Rochester Pilots staged a dramatic comeback then held on to win over the Mohawk Valley Lions by a score of 2 to 1 at The Lion's Den.
Rochester scored the decisive runs in a big 9th inning with 2 runs utilizing 2 base hits. After an out was recorded, Matt Adams began the Rochester spurt when he doubled. Devin Mesoraco came to the plate and bombed a two-run dinger. Both teams totaled 6 hits on the night.
Jordan Walden (1-0) picked up the victory, allowing no runs in 1 inning. Walden got relief help from Joaquin Benoit who gained credit for his 1st save. Joe Smith(0-1) suffered the loss in relief. He surrendered 2 runs and 2 hits in 1 inning.
Game One
Pilots 2, Lions 1
Starters: Jake Arrieta @ Garrett Richards
In a thriller the Rochester Pilots staged a dramatic comeback then held on to win over the Mohawk Valley Lions by a score of 2 to 1 at The Lion's Den.
Rochester scored the decisive runs in a big 9th inning with 2 runs utilizing 2 base hits. After an out was recorded, Matt Adams began the Rochester spurt when he doubled. Devin Mesoraco came to the plate and bombed a two-run dinger. Both teams totaled 6 hits on the night.
Jordan Walden (1-0) picked up the victory, allowing no runs in 1 inning. Walden got relief help from Joaquin Benoit who gained credit for his 1st save. Joe Smith(0-1) suffered the loss in relief. He surrendered 2 runs and 2 hits in 1 inning.
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Applying Ballpark Factors To MMDA Team Statistics
Customizing ballpark factors is one of the most difficult and agonizing decisions managers face each spring. Finding the most harmonious rate for single and home run frequency can add wins to a team's bottom line, but finding that perfect balance of offense and defense requires a deep understanding of player personnel—and also a lot of educated guesswork.
For years, I have endeavored to create ballpark factors for MMDA teams based on the statistical record, but until recently I had been stymied in my effort to find home/road splits. That changed when a fellow Strat obsessive pointed me to the line scores found within the League Stats menu.
With access to all teams' line scores, I summed all the runs a team scored and allowed at home, and then summed the same totals for each team on the road. Once I had those totals I could figure per-game rates by dividing by 81, and then compare those two rates to quantify the extent to which each MMDA park amplified or suppressed run production in a given season.
While I fully intend to apply this park-factor epiphany to the 2015 statistical record, I will do so only at the conclusion of the season, when teams have visited every park on their schedule and playing time has been fully distributed. Also, it takes some time to build the framework, so I only want to perform the calculations once per season.
However, this doesn't preclude me from revisiting the recent past and applying park factors to the 2014 data. From highest to lowest, here are the park factors I calculated for the 2014 season:
For years, I have endeavored to create ballpark factors for MMDA teams based on the statistical record, but until recently I had been stymied in my effort to find home/road splits. That changed when a fellow Strat obsessive pointed me to the line scores found within the League Stats menu.
With access to all teams' line scores, I summed all the runs a team scored and allowed at home, and then summed the same totals for each team on the road. Once I had those totals I could figure per-game rates by dividing by 81, and then compare those two rates to quantify the extent to which each MMDA park amplified or suppressed run production in a given season.
While I fully intend to apply this park-factor epiphany to the 2015 statistical record, I will do so only at the conclusion of the season, when teams have visited every park on their schedule and playing time has been fully distributed. Also, it takes some time to build the framework, so I only want to perform the calculations once per season.
However, this doesn't preclude me from revisiting the recent past and applying park factors to the 2014 data. From highest to lowest, here are the park factors I calculated for the 2014 season:
| No | Team | Home R/G | Road R/G | Park Factor | Multiplier |
| 1 | Miami | 8.86 | 7.99 | 111 | 1.055 |
| 2 | Wilmington | 9.33 | 8.68 | 108 | 1.038 |
| 3 | Goldenrod | 9.28 | 8.64 | 107 | 1.037 |
| 4 | Death Valley | 9.10 | 8.49 | 107 | 1.036 |
| 5 | West Side | 9.01 | 8.43 | 107 | 1.034 |
| 6 | Elysian Fields | 8.52 | 8.04 | 106 | 1.030 |
| Northeast | 9.46 | 8.93 | 106 | 1.030 | |
| 8 | St. Louis | 8.09 | 7.73 | 105 | 1.023 |
| 9 | Brooklyn | 10.17 | 9.79 | 104 | 1.020 |
| 10 | Columbus | 7.86 | 7.60 | 103 | 1.017 |
| 11 | Rochester | 8.42 | 8.22 | 102 | 1.012 |
| 12 | Fighting Irish | 9.05 | 8.95 | 101 | 1.006 |
| 13 | Lake County | 7.99 | 7.91 | 101 | 1.005 |
| 14 | Jersey | 8.51 | 8.51 | 100 | 1.000 |
| 15 | Cape Cod | 9.22 | 9.59 | 96 | 0.981 |
| 16 | Rosehill | 8.01 | 8.44 | 95 | 0.974 |
| 17 | Mohawk Valley | 7.83 | 8.47 | 92 | 0.962 |
| 18 | California | 8.40 | 9.65 | 87 | 0.935 |
| 19 | Spokane | 6.53 | 7.93 | 82 | 0.912 |
| 20 | Northwest | 6.75 | 8.40 | 80 | 0.902 |
Monday, February 16, 2015
A Crude Ranking Of The Eight Hardest-Hitting Lineups
By Matt Eddy
This piece does not attempt to rank the best collections of position players in the MMDA, because defensive proficiency is not considered. Nor does it single out the best rate performers (always handy for the playoffs) or account for a lineup's strength versus lefthanded starters.
This simply measures the quality (runs created) and quantity (at-bats) of offense produced by each team's projected regulars around the diamond. In other words, we would expect these lineups in a neutral ballpark context and against a standard percentage of righthanded starters to score the most runs over 162 games.
To measure offensive quality, I identified the probable lineup regulars for each team, then ranked those regulars by projected runs created. Because this is a crude measure, I used a Roto-style scoring system, such that teams received points based on where their players ranked among the 20 MMDA regulars.
For example, the No. 1 center fielder, Mike Trout, bestowed one point to the Dodgers. The No. 2 first baseman, Miguel Cabrera, credited Brooklyn with two points, and so on down line. The lowest point total for any player is 20. I then summed those point totals for all nine lineup regulars to arrive at a ranking, and here it is. Remember that lower scores are best.
1. Brooklyn Dodgers (Pacific)
Total: 67.
C—Dioner Navarro (9). 1B—Miguel Cabrera (2). 2B—Neil Walker (5). 3B—Anthony Rendon (2). SS—Jimmy Rollins (11). LF—Rajai Davis (16). CF—Mike Trout (1). RF—Jon Jay (12). DH—Hanley Ramirez (9).
The Dodgers scored more than 100 additional runs than any MMDA team in 2014, and expect them to repeat as the league's top offense this season. Cabrera and Trout continue to rank among the elite players in the, while 2014 first-rounder Rendon has supplanted Ramirez as the club's third banana. Extra RH bats: Trevor Plouffe, Collin Cowgill.
This piece does not attempt to rank the best collections of position players in the MMDA, because defensive proficiency is not considered. Nor does it single out the best rate performers (always handy for the playoffs) or account for a lineup's strength versus lefthanded starters.
![]() |
| Anthony Rendon's emergence fortifies a Dodgers lineup that already had Mike Trout and Miguel Cabrera |
To measure offensive quality, I identified the probable lineup regulars for each team, then ranked those regulars by projected runs created. Because this is a crude measure, I used a Roto-style scoring system, such that teams received points based on where their players ranked among the 20 MMDA regulars.
For example, the No. 1 center fielder, Mike Trout, bestowed one point to the Dodgers. The No. 2 first baseman, Miguel Cabrera, credited Brooklyn with two points, and so on down line. The lowest point total for any player is 20. I then summed those point totals for all nine lineup regulars to arrive at a ranking, and here it is. Remember that lower scores are best.
1. Brooklyn Dodgers (Pacific)
Total: 67.
C—Dioner Navarro (9). 1B—Miguel Cabrera (2). 2B—Neil Walker (5). 3B—Anthony Rendon (2). SS—Jimmy Rollins (11). LF—Rajai Davis (16). CF—Mike Trout (1). RF—Jon Jay (12). DH—Hanley Ramirez (9).
The Dodgers scored more than 100 additional runs than any MMDA team in 2014, and expect them to repeat as the league's top offense this season. Cabrera and Trout continue to rank among the elite players in the, while 2014 first-rounder Rendon has supplanted Ramirez as the club's third banana. Extra RH bats: Trevor Plouffe, Collin Cowgill.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Top Eight Rotations You Want To Avoid In The Playoffs
By Matt Eddy
Nothing makes a manager's heart sink quite like the prospect of facing an opponent's stacked rotation in a short playoff series. The defense controls the ball in baseball, and the starter is the defense's most vital component.
What follows are the eight most fearsome rotations in the MMDA, at least according to the on-base and total-base units on top four starter cards for each team. To arrive at this ranking, I took all starters with at least 125 innings (a group that numbered 120 pitchers), because 125 innings distills down to 13 innings in a playoff series, which is more than enough to cover two starts in seven games. Using my valuation formula, I then determined which teams could throw the four most-effective starters out there in a short series.
Drawbacks to this method: (1) strikeout chances are not considered, which is too bad because the strikeout is the ultimate neutralizing weapon; (2) some teams will rely on just three starters with an asterisk rating to see them through a seven-game series; and (3) a poor offense and/or low innings totals and/or poor No. 5 starters will almost certainly prevent some of the following teams from actually qualifying for the playoffs. Each pitcher's overall rank (by my formula) is listed in parentheses; an asterisk denotes a starter who can go on short rest in the playoffs.
Note that the Pilots (RHP Drew Hutchison), Stars (RHP Rick Porcello) and Lions (LHP Drew Smyly) had a fifth starter rank in the upper half of qualified starters, but those pitchers are not considered in the following exercise.
1. Rochester Pilots (Atlantic)
RHP Carlos Carrasco (2), RHP Jake Arrieta (4), LHP Jon Lester (12*), RHP Matt Garza (33)
The Pilots selected Carrasco 13th overall in this year's draft, about a year after they struck gold with a late-2013 trade with the Irish in which they dealt a fifth-round pick for Arrieta. Now, Rochester can turn to two of the top four starter cards up to four times in a playoff series.
Nothing makes a manager's heart sink quite like the prospect of facing an opponent's stacked rotation in a short playoff series. The defense controls the ball in baseball, and the starter is the defense's most vital component.
![]() |
| The addition of Carlos Carrasco put the Pilots rotation over the top |
Drawbacks to this method: (1) strikeout chances are not considered, which is too bad because the strikeout is the ultimate neutralizing weapon; (2) some teams will rely on just three starters with an asterisk rating to see them through a seven-game series; and (3) a poor offense and/or low innings totals and/or poor No. 5 starters will almost certainly prevent some of the following teams from actually qualifying for the playoffs. Each pitcher's overall rank (by my formula) is listed in parentheses; an asterisk denotes a starter who can go on short rest in the playoffs.
Note that the Pilots (RHP Drew Hutchison), Stars (RHP Rick Porcello) and Lions (LHP Drew Smyly) had a fifth starter rank in the upper half of qualified starters, but those pitchers are not considered in the following exercise.
1. Rochester Pilots (Atlantic)
RHP Carlos Carrasco (2), RHP Jake Arrieta (4), LHP Jon Lester (12*), RHP Matt Garza (33)
The Pilots selected Carrasco 13th overall in this year's draft, about a year after they struck gold with a late-2013 trade with the Irish in which they dealt a fifth-round pick for Arrieta. Now, Rochester can turn to two of the top four starter cards up to four times in a playoff series.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Lions Makeover Continues On Draft Day
By Matt Eddy
A hyperactive offseason in Mohawk Valley gave way to a busy draft day as the Lions' extreme makeover continued unabated.
The Lions selected seven players in the 2015 draft, then completed a post-draft trade with Spokane to acquire left fielder J.D. Martinez. Current card value was clearly the theme of the day, for the
average age of Mohawk Valley's eight draft-day additions is 26 years old. All the maneuvering indicates the club's goals for the coming year: a 10th consecutive winning season and fifth straight trip to the playoffs.
In all, Mohawk Valley will bring to spring training a dozen new faces expected to fill regular or complementary roles.
The Lions kicked their retool into high gear last fall, swinging trades for second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera, left fielder Carl Crawford, first baseman Albert Pujols, No. 5 starter Drew Smyly and center fielder Denard Span. They added role players, such as reliever David Carpenter and platoon second baseman Logan Forsythe, around the margins.
On draft day, Mohawk Valley buttressed a weak bullpen with righthanders Dellin Betances (first round) and Justin Grimm (ninth) and lefty Fernando Abad (fourth), while also picking up outfielders Brandon Guyer (fifth) and Dan Robertson (10th) for weak-side platoon deployment. The club also speculated on power righties Blake Treinen (eighth) and Chris Bassitt (11th) in the late rounds, but they have no defined roles for 2015.
A hyperactive offseason in Mohawk Valley gave way to a busy draft day as the Lions' extreme makeover continued unabated.
![]() |
| From Motown to Mohawk Valley, J.D. Martinez carries a big stick |
In all, Mohawk Valley will bring to spring training a dozen new faces expected to fill regular or complementary roles.
The Lions kicked their retool into high gear last fall, swinging trades for second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera, left fielder Carl Crawford, first baseman Albert Pujols, No. 5 starter Drew Smyly and center fielder Denard Span. They added role players, such as reliever David Carpenter and platoon second baseman Logan Forsythe, around the margins.
On draft day, Mohawk Valley buttressed a weak bullpen with righthanders Dellin Betances (first round) and Justin Grimm (ninth) and lefty Fernando Abad (fourth), while also picking up outfielders Brandon Guyer (fifth) and Dan Robertson (10th) for weak-side platoon deployment. The club also speculated on power righties Blake Treinen (eighth) and Chris Bassitt (11th) in the late rounds, but they have no defined roles for 2015.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Top Nine Players Mohawk Valley Gave Up On Too Early
By Matt Eddy
Every manager knows the sense of regret that comes with releasing or trading a player too early, only to see him find success with a new team.
Mohawk Valley knows the feeling all too well, having given up on at least nine players the club drafted and then unceremoniously dumped before they blossomed in the big leagues. This doesn't necessarily mean the players would have been Strat-O-Matic monsters, but these players had obvious utility in their post-Lions careers.
1. Brandon Morrow, rhp
2008 draft (3rd round)
Perhaps the worst trade in club history occurred after the 2009 season, when the Lions dealt Morrow to the Stars for Chris Volstad. Morrow spent three wild years in the Mariners bullpen (5.8 BB/9) before growing into a power starter with the Blue Jays (9.8 SO/9) from 2010-12, while Volstad never did much of anything in MLB or the MMDA.
Every manager knows the sense of regret that comes with releasing or trading a player too early, only to see him find success with a new team.
![]() | |
| The Lions still rue trading Brandon Morrow before he blossomed north of the border |
1. Brandon Morrow, rhp
2008 draft (3rd round)
Perhaps the worst trade in club history occurred after the 2009 season, when the Lions dealt Morrow to the Stars for Chris Volstad. Morrow spent three wild years in the Mariners bullpen (5.8 BB/9) before growing into a power starter with the Blue Jays (9.8 SO/9) from 2010-12, while Volstad never did much of anything in MLB or the MMDA.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Third Time's A Charm For Lions
Mohawk Valley shined in the 2014 postseason, winning 12 of 16 games, with a stingy pitching staff and grinding offensive attack.
Lions pitchers (and defenders) allowed just 2.69 runs per game in a playoff context in which no other team allowed fewer than 4.00 R/G (Goldenrod). That performance might have been expected based on Mohawk Valley's regular-season showing, in which the club led the MMDA in strikeout rate (8.3 per nine innings) and ranked third in ERA (3.44) and opponent average (.237).
The Lions offense, on the other hand, exceeded expectations during the playoffs, scoring 4.56 runs per game, which was a better rate than all but Goldenrod (5.07) and Rochester (4.86). During the regular season, Mohawk Valley led the MMDA in only one category (doubles) and ranked outside the top 10 for scoring, but with a condensed roster during the playoffs the Lions were able to put their best foot forward. They ranked third among postseason participants with a team .340 on-base percentage and strikeout rate of 17.1 percent, and they logged the top walk-to-strikeout ratio of 0.55.
But good fortune has not always smiled on Mohawk Valley, at least when it mattered most.
But good fortune has not always smiled on Mohawk Valley, at least when it mattered most.
"Winning in 2014 is especially gratifying for the Lions," manager Matt Eddy said, "because we lost the World Series in 2012, then lost a taut, seven-game LCS in 2013. To come so close three times without winning the ring? Well, that would have been tough."
Lions End Huskies' Bid For Back-To-Back Titles
Three, two, one . . . blast off!
Mohawk Valley captured its first MMDA championship in its 13th year in the league by defeating the No. 3 Fighting Irish in the first round, the No. 2 Brooklyn Dodgers in the second round and the No. 1 Northeast Huskies in the World Series. The Lions went 12-4 (.750) in the playoffs while defeating a trio of opponents who could objectively be labeled as the three best teams during the regular season because they led the MMDA in runs scored and run differential.
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| Yu Darvish fired 7.2 shutout innings in Game Seven of the World Series to pitch the Lions to victory |
As it played out, that quartet of pitchers held the Huskies scoreless on 10 hits over 18 innings, and the Mohawk Valley offense scored just enough runs to win two games and claim the World Series. The Lions eked out a 2-0 win in Game 6, with the runs scoring on a wild pitch and an infield groundout, and then led Game 7 by a 1-0 score heading into the ninth inning, when a series of fluke defensive outcomes goosed the lead to 5-0.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
World Series: Mohawk Valley 4, Northeast 3
Game recaps from the Strat-generated box scores. In this World Series
matchup, the No. 1 Northeast Huskies (101-61) had home-field advantage
versus the No. 6 Mohawk Valley Lions (87-75).
Game One
Huskies 2, Lions 0
Chris Archer (1-0) and Yu Darvish (3-1) locked horns in a pitcher's duel with Archer and the Northeast Huskies coming out on top of the Mohawk Valley Lions 2 to 0.
Northeast drew first blood jumping out to an early lead in the first inning scoring a single run. That was all the runs Archer needed. Neither team managed to score after the 2nd inning.
Archer was helped out by Casey Janssen who recorded his 2nd save.
Game One
Huskies 2, Lions 0
Chris Archer (1-0) and Yu Darvish (3-1) locked horns in a pitcher's duel with Archer and the Northeast Huskies coming out on top of the Mohawk Valley Lions 2 to 0.
Northeast drew first blood jumping out to an early lead in the first inning scoring a single run. That was all the runs Archer needed. Neither team managed to score after the 2nd inning.
Archer was helped out by Casey Janssen who recorded his 2nd save.
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Round Two: Mohawk Valley 4, Brooklyn 1
Game recaps from the Strat-generated box scores. In this Round Two matchup, the No. 2 Brooklyn Dodgers (99-63) had home-field advantage versus the No. 6 Mohawk Valley Lions (87-75).
Game One
Lions 5, Dodgers 2
At Dodger Stadium the Mohawk Valley Lions outscored the Brooklyn Dodgers 5 to 2.
Yu Darvish (2-0) pitched a solid game. He went 6 and 1/3 innings allowing 7 hits and 2 walks. Overall Mohawk Valley out-hit Brooklyn 11 to 8.
Darvish got relief help from Koji Uehara who gained credit for his 2nd save. Justin Masterson (2-1) was the loser. He surrendered 3 runs in 5 innings and saw his ERA increase from 1.35 to 2.45.
Game One
Lions 5, Dodgers 2
At Dodger Stadium the Mohawk Valley Lions outscored the Brooklyn Dodgers 5 to 2.
Yu Darvish (2-0) pitched a solid game. He went 6 and 1/3 innings allowing 7 hits and 2 walks. Overall Mohawk Valley out-hit Brooklyn 11 to 8.
Darvish got relief help from Koji Uehara who gained credit for his 2nd save. Justin Masterson (2-1) was the loser. He surrendered 3 runs in 5 innings and saw his ERA increase from 1.35 to 2.45.
Monday, October 6, 2014
Round One: Mohawk Valley 4, Fighting Irish 0
Game recaps from the Strat-generated box scores. In this Round One matchup, the No. 3 Fighting Irish (93-69) had home-field advantage versus the No. 6 Mohawk Valley Lions (87-75).
Game One
Lions 8, Irish 1
Stephen Strasburg retired 12 batters on strikeouts and catcher Yan Gomes had 2 base hits and 3 RBI as the Mohawk Valley Lions defeated the Fighting Irish by a score of 8 to 1 at Dublin Downs.
Strasburg (1-0) was virtually untouchable. He didn't allow much, just 4 hits and 5 walks in 9 innings. Mohawk Valley finished with 13 hits in the victory.
Andrew Cashner (0-1) was given the loss.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Strasburg Delivers Mohawk Valley's Second-Ever No-Hitter
UTICA, N.Y.--Mohawk Valley starter Stephen Strasburg saved the best for first in 2014. Making his season debut on the road at Spokane, the righthander held the Hooded Crows hitless in a 6-0 Lions win. He walked four and struck out four, throwing 124 pitches.
Strasburg's gem is the second no-hitter in Mohawk Valley franchise history. Lefthander Paul Maholm threw the club's first no-no against the Rochester Pilots on Sept. 22, 2008.
Strasburg's gem is the second no-hitter in Mohawk Valley franchise history. Lefthander Paul Maholm threw the club's first no-no against the Rochester Pilots on Sept. 22, 2008.
[1]BOXSCORE: 2014 Mohawk Valley Lions At 2014 Spokane Hooded Crows 4/7/2014
[1] Lions AB R H RBI AVG Hooded Crows AB R H RBI AVG
J.Kipnis 2B 5 0 0 0 .000 N.Aoki LF 3 0 0 0 .300
A.McCutchen CF 4 1 0 0 .000 A.Ethier RF 4 0 0 0 .333
R.Raburn LF 3 0 1 0 .333 A.Dunn DH 3 0 0 0 .333
W.Venable RF 5 1 3 1 .600 J.Loney 1B 3 0 0 0 .200
K.Blanks 1B 3 1 0 0 .000 J.Uribe 3B 2 0 0 0 .182
C-Y.Alonso PH,1B 1 0 1 01.000 J.Jaso C 1 0 0 0 .400
C.Headley 3B 4 0 0 0 .000 A-P.Polanco PH 1 0 0 0 .000
E.Aybar SS 4 3 3 1 .750 B-C.Corporan C 0 0 0 0 .500
R.Weeks DH 2 0 1 2 .500 M.Ellis 2B 2 0 0 0 .091
R.Hanigan C 4 0 3 2 .750 A.Eaton CF 3 0 0 0 .167
Z.Cozart SS 3 0 0 0 .083
-- -- -- --- -- -- -- ---
[1] Totals 35 6 12 6 Totals 25 0 0 0
A-Pinch Hit For Jaso In 7th Inning
B-Subbed Defensively (C ) For Polanco In 8th Inning
C-Pinch Hit For Blanks In 8th Inning
Lions........... 0 0 1 0 0 4 0 1 0 - 6 12 0
Hooded Crows.... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 1
[1]Lions (1-0) IP H R ER BB SO HR PC ERA SCORESHEET
S.Strasburg WIN(1-0) 9 0 0 0 4 4 0 124 0.00 A1
[1]Totals 9 0 0 0 4 4 0
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