SHL National Originals: Cubs, Giants and Braves Within Striking Distance of Phalterin’ Phils

The Phillies (40-27) picked a bad time to slump.  Just when it looked like they were going to run away with the division, Philadelphia dropped nine of their last 12 games while the rest of the teams in the division gained ground.  The Giants went 6-6, the Braves went 7-5 and the Cubs went 9-3 and now all three teams are within three games of the National Originals division leader.

After splitting back to back series with the Mets and Dodgers, the Phillies must now square off with the Cubs who took two of three from the Phils in their last meeting in May.  A sweep by the Cubs and the division lead the Phils have owned will be gone.

The reason for the sudden slip?  A combination of lack of production and poor pitching have led to the slide.  Even when the club has received strong pitching performances, they have found a way to lose.  On June 18 and June 20, the Phils lost 2-0 and 1-0 behind wasted pitching performances from Robin Robertsand Jim Bunning.  Both Roberts and Bunning are 0-2 in their last two starts. 

The aces of the staff have also slipped.  Steve Carltonbegan the season 9-1 but is 2-2 in his last five starts.  Pete Alexanderwho began the year 6-1 is 3-5 in his last eight starts.  Only Cole Hamelshas avoided a funk, going 3-0 in his last four outings.

If the Phils are going to hold on to their early successes, their bats need to get hot.  No one on the team is hitting over .300 with Jimmy Rollinshitting .299, Chase Utleyhitting .296 and Chuck Kleinhitting .296.  Mike Schmidt, the team’s offensive star in April, has seen his average drop 63 points since then to .238.  Before the Mets’ series, Schmidt was on a 1-for-28 drought but continued to remain in the starting lineup.

Once owners of the best record in the SHL, the Phillies are now fourth best behind the Athletics(44-23), Pirates(43-24) and Red Sox(41-26).  And now with three teams just three games back, it’s hard to imagine their division lead will survive another prolonged cold stretch.

Cubs Cutting It Close: With their 13th win of the month on June 25 against the White Sox, the Cubs (37-30) have guaranteed June to be their most successful month of the season.  The 2-1 win over their crosstown rivals was their fifth one-run win of the month and pushed their overall record in one-run games to 11-6.

Chicago has not gotten the job done at the plate with the third worst batting average, the second worst on-base percentage and worst slugging percentage in the SHL.  Only the Brewers have managed less runs per game and despite a combination of excellent pitching and defense that has made the Cubs the second stingiest team in the league at 3.9 runs per game allowed, the Cubs have room to grow should their bats catch fire.

Surprisingly, the Cubs have stuck it out with their anemic lineup with only King Kellymissing three games out of the eight Opening Day starters.  Billy Williamshas been the club’s offensive star so far.  His .292 average is second best on the club behind Cap Ansonand his .369 on-base percentage, .464 slugging percentage, seven home runs and 41 runs scored are all team highs.  Pining away on the bench is Bill Nicholsonwho is hitting .306 with three homers and seven RBI in just 36 at bats. 

An offensive outburst could make the Cubbies the front runners in the NO since four of their five starters have ERAs below 4.00.  The question is will they continue to stick with what hasn’t worked in hopes that it will or will the Cubs begin to tinker if they ever want to have a chance?

Braves’ Hamilton Shelved:  The Braves (37-30) lost Billy Hamiltonfor the season on June 13 when the centerfielder ruptured his achilles tendon going from first to third on a Rico Cartysingle.  Hamilton’s speed and ability to get on base will be missed at the top of the lineup as the lead-off position was turned over to Marcus Gilessince Hamilton went down. 

On the season, Giles has hit for a higher average than Hamilton but his on-base percentage is 29 points lower than Hamilton’s.

In addition, the club has moved Dale Murphyinto the every day lineup in center.  The Murph is just 4-for-23 with two runs scored as Hamilton’s replacement.

Giants Ready For June to Be Over: Maybe being within three games of first place is a nice consolation prize for the Giants (37-30) but after a rough June where they are just 8-12, the club is looking forward to flipping the calendar:

June 2:  Down 1-0 to the Orioles in the top of the ninth, Barry Bondsties the game with a solo shot off of Mike Mussina.  The Giants get back-to-back singles from Mike Tiernanand Matt Williamsand Tiernan scores when backup catcher Gus Triandossails one down the line on a steal attempt.  Williams then scores on a Ross Youngs‘ single to put the Giants up 3-1.  In the bottom of the ninth, the Orioles inexplicably leave in Mussina to face closer Robb Nenbut Mussina shocks Nen with a single to lead off the inning.  After Paul Blairflies out, Roberto Alomardoubles and Frank Robinson‘s sacrifice fly scores Mussina from third.  With two outs, O’s slugger Eddie Murrayjacks a 2-2 pitch 400 feet to right center to give the Orioles a 4-3 walk-off win.

June 5:  Frankie Frischand Mel Ottfail to plate a run in the bottom of the ninth with runners at second and third and the club down 4-3 to the Cardinals.  Frisch and Ott both ground out to first leaving Willie Maysand Youngs stranded.  Youngs was held at third on the Mays’ double instead of trying to get Youngs from first to home on the gapper.  Giants lose another close one, 4-3.

June 9:  Tied 4-4 in the eighth, Juan Marichalgrooves a 1-2 pitch to Mike Napoliwho smashes a 430-foot monster to left to put the Angels up 5-4 on the Giants.  Tiernan leaves Bonds stranded at second in the ninth and the Giants lose another one-run game, 5-4.

June 10-12:  The Giants are swept by the Cubs including shutouts on the 10th and 12th and a blown opportunity on the 11th.  Leading 3-1 early, Carl Hubbellgives up solo homers to Ernie Banksin the sixth and eighth innings to tie the game and Banks adds an RBI single in the top of the ninth to give the Cubs a 4-3 win.

June 16:  The Giants manage only one base runner over the last three innings in a 9-8 loss to the Reds, their fifth one-run loss of the month.

June 21:  With a chance to sweep one of the top teams in the SHL, the Giants jump out to a 2-1 lead in the second but quickly see the lead disappear after Pirate Barry Bondsslams a two-run homer in the third and Ed Morrisand Roy Faceshut down the Giants the rest of the way en route to the Giants’ sixth one-run loss of the month, 3-2.