[IBL] Sand Crabs Peaking early!!

[Doug Palmer]

 2015 Baltimore Sand Crab Update
(at the 1/9th mark)

The season is only three weeks old, but the new look Baltimore Sand Crabs
have provided a bevy of excitement for fans and critics alike.  Riding a
streak where they’ve won 11 of the last 12 games, the fans have never been
subjected to such success (and they’re showing their naivety).   During the
last homestand, fans erroneously boo-ed the Crabs as they put 11 runs on
the board against their division rival, the Motor City Mauraders.  The fans
obviously didn’t realize that it was their own Crabs that were running
around the bases (11 runs is typically more than the Crab faithful would
see in an entire homestand, let alone 1 inning).

The key to the early season success has been their pitching.  The starters
are faring much better than their previous counterparts, and the relief
corp is actually shutting down the competition when called upon.  Rookie
Ken Giles (PHI) has been particularly impressive in his new role as the
right handed closer.  In his six appearances, Giles is 6-for-6 in closing
opportunities and has struck out 10 while walking none.  The biggest
obstacle thus far for the Crabs pitching has been the injuries.  Three key
members of the staff, Arrieta, Sanchez and Cole, have been struck down with
arm fatigue, requiring an extended stay on the disabled list.  Hopefully
their stay on the list won’t be felt too badly as the likes of SD Ross, OAK
Pomeranz and BAL Gausman will be called upon to pick up the slack.

On the offensive side of the ledger, the big acquisition over the winter
was the signing of Jose Altuve (HOU).  In signing Altuve, the Crabs gave up
a lot in what would have been Jose Abreu (CHA), but management thought that
Altuve filled a weakness that Abreu wouldn’t have filled, that of a gold
glove infielder with speed and a batting average a notch above the rest.  Jose
hasn’t disappointed 18 games into the season.  His .410 batting average is
good for 4th in the league and he leads in the league in base hits.  He’s
also leading the league in stolen bases, but that shouldn’t surprise anyone
who’s watched a Sand Crab game this year.  If there’s one thing  they’re
doing more than anyone else in the league, that’s running.  Through 18
games, they’re averaging 1.5 SB’s per game.  And it’s not just Jose doing
the running!  Lagares, Schafer, and Davis all are stealing bases at a
prodigious rate.  Tiring out both pitchers and catchers alike.
Be sure to be at the stadium early this weekend for the annual “Jack Cust
Bobblehead Night”.  Legendary Baltimore Sand Crab Jack Cust will be on hand
to personally hand out bobbleheads that bear both his likeness AND his
propensity to shake his head uncontrollably.   The first 50 youngsters at
the stadium for this promotion will get to go onto the field and help the
legend that is Jack Cust circle the basepaths, just like he did all those
(four) years ago.  Other exciting promotions at the old stadium includes
“Ask a Doctor about that Growth” –Night coming in May as well as “Oral
Contraception/Mothers Day Floppy Hat Day” which, for a change, will
coincide with Mothers Day this year.  Bring the whole family out for these
wonderful promotions at the Anglo-Franco War Memorial Stadium…home of YOUR
Baltimore Sand Crabs!

2015 Baltimore Sand Crabs......LET'S GET CRABBY!!!!!!!!!
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