Outlaws primed for final run as Divisional play returns
After another solid month of play under their belts, the Flagstaff Outlaws set their sights toward the final two months of play, including playing rivals from the most competitive division in the BDBL this season.
“This Griffin Division is brutal,” Outlaws GM Greg Newgard said. “I opened up the standings today and the last place Undertakers would be the Wild Card team over in the Eck League right now. There are only five games out of our Wild Card. Four quality teams and only one team is guaranteed a spot while we could also land that Wild Card. Whoever doesn’t get in will all be better than whatever the Benes Division puts up.”
The talk turns to the trade deadline and Newgard continues to play things close to the vest.
“We’re always looking,” he said. “Sometimes, we monitor the newspaper and rumors to see if there is an opportunity we didn’t know about. Other times, we’re aggressive about players we want to know about. This deadline is no different. There isn’t anyone we really need to add to this team, but we have enough cap room to do something.”
When asked what they could want to add, Newgard smiled. “We’ve made it publicly known that we’d consider one more reliever and maybe a lefty infield bat to balance our bench a little. We’re a bit right-handed heavy. Some conversations have been had, but I expect things to heat up over this weekend when the deadline nears.”
A 17-7 record in a fairly week schedule helped propel the Outlaws to a 74-30 record, which is still a franchise record for this point in the season. And for the first time all season, the team may have been firing on all cylinders.
“We hit, scoring 122 runs on a team OPS of nearly .830. The pitching staff allowed just 88 on a 3.31 ERA. The defense put up a 99% fielding percentage. You can’t ask for much more without sounding greedy. The goal now is to continue watch our magic number count down and try and nail down that top playoff seed.”
Khris Davis put up a monster chapter, crushing 10 homers and posting an OPS of 1.149 in 20 games, and being named Hitter of the Month for the Outlaws.
“Khris ought to get consideration from the league for top honors as well. He drove in 22 and 16 of his 24 hits were for extra bases. Only 15 strikeouts, which is usually a problem for him. Just an outstanding body of work.”
On the pitching side, the other big Chris on the roster, put up another dominating chapter. With the Outlaws going to a strict 5-man rotation once again, Chris Sale only got 5 starts. But he went 3-0 over the span, posting a 1.65 ERA and striking out 46 in just under 33 innings. He narrowly earned the Pitcher of the Month award over Zack Greinke who went 3-1 with a 1.97 ERA.
“What more can I say about Sale?” Newgard laughed. “Best trade we’ve made. He’s 15-3 now with an ERA hovering around 2.50 and has easily been the big horse we need for the front of this rotation.”
The August schedule promises to be tough for the Outlaws as they get to play all of the division mates followed by series with Salem, Joplin, Granite State, and South Loop.
“How about that? South Loop leads the Benes. Salem and Joplin are in a dogfight in the McGowan. Every Ozzie League playoff contender is on the schedule this next month. Six teams with playoff aspirations. Incredible. It’s a chance for one last statement to the league to show our best against the Ozzie’s best.”