One month down, four more (and maybe more) to go!
It’s May 3, here’s the state of things on the path 400 miles to Toronto and beyond.
Quick Recap
Vs. Trenton
Friday, April 27 – (W) 4-0
Saturday, April 28 – (L) 6-10
Sunday, April 29 – (Susp. In 3rd) 0-3
Vs. Reading
Monday, April 30 – (W) 7-2
Tuesday, May 1 – (W) 5-4
Wednesday May 2 – (L) 5-6
After a month, the Fisher Cats currently hold the best record in the Eastern League, and it looks like they might have a shot at holding that distinction throughout the entire campaign if this latest homestand is any indication.
If the pitching staff perform the same level of the offense, it’s almost a certainty, but New Hampshire’s pitching has been up and down so far.
Still, Fisher Cats manager John Schneider is pleased with the output of his hurlers so far, especially in terms of his relievers helping stem the tide on nights when some starters may struggle (with certain exceptions here and there, of course.)
Schneider is also pleased with the fact that his squad can produce runs in a number of ways, something that will help his players as they move up in professional baseball and something that helps give breathing room for his developing pitchers.
“The offense is built where you can play for a home run with the guys in the middle of the order and then you can play for an add-on man,” said Schneider. “The more versatile these guys can be, the more it will help their career and I think the flow of the game is how we’ll play things out.”
Fisher Cats of the Week
Batting: Jonathan Davis – Vladimir Guerrero Jr. took Wednesday off and we’re going to take the week off from giving him this award, which he could probably win every week until he is inevitably promoted to the Blue Jays at some point in the future.
Meanwhile though, the Fisher Cats leadoff man has been a consistent force in the lineup, grabbing hit of his last nine appearances.
Starting Pitching: Sean Reid-Foley – Reid-Foley would have had his fifth win of the season if not for Andrew Case’s ninth inning catastrophe on Wednesday. He’s currently in the Eastern League’s Top 10 for ERA, innings pitched and strikeouts.
Relief Pitching: Conor Fisk – Like Guerrero, Fisk could probably earn the reliever of the week award every week at this rate. Still, he earned it this week. So far this year he’s appeared in seven games and has not allowed a single run, averaging just under one baserunner per inning.
Around the Horn
No roster changes this week. Since Ryan Hissey joined the club as New Hampshire’s third catcher, replacing Lourdes Gurriel Jr., he’s platooned with Max Pentecost and Patrick Cantwell behind the plate and at DH, with Gunnar Heidt and a few other players also serving as DH here and there.
Cavan Biggio, Bo Bichette, Guerrero and Davis have locked down their spots at second base, shortstop, third base and centerfield respectively. Andrew Guillotte is just about a certainty in left as well, appearing in five games this week there (with another in right).
On Deck
The Fisher Cats now head to Binghamton for a series with the Rumble Ponies, returning on Monday for their first home series of the year against Boston’s Double-A affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs.