All-star break comes at good time for Wild Things
The Wild Things have been here — first place in their division at the Frontier League’s all-star break — several times before. Seven times overall in their 24-season history, to be exact.
Washington has a 38-19 record and is 4½ games ahead of second-place Evansville in the Central Division. Nineteen games above .500 at the break is one shy of the franchise’s high-water mark (the 2024 team was 38-18 at the break). Only the 2007 team had a larger lead at the break than this year’s club. The 38 wins are tied for the most in the league with arch-nemesis Quebec. The Capitales are 38-17.
The Wild Things bolted to the top of the division standings on the strength of stellar starting pitching and timely home runs over the first seven weeks of the season and before the starting rotation was almost completely gutted by major league organizations. Four starters had their contracts purchased, and so did the closer.
During a stretch in which they played eight games in six days, the Wild Things lost two starting pitchers and suddenly the season seemed to be on the verge of ruin by the end of June. But a road trip to Evansville, Schaumburg and Florence produced a surprising 7-2 record that assured Washington of the first-place spot.
And the all-star break couldn’t have come at a better time for the Wild Things and manager Tom Vaeth. The players, except the four who were selected to play in the league’s all-star game tonight at Florence, will have four days off. Vaeth will use those four days to restock the team’s pitching that took two more hits over the weekend when starter Esteban Rodriguez and reliever Chad Coles both retired.
“Any time these guys can get some days off and get away from the game is a good time,” Vaeth said. “I’m sure more important than having days off and not playing is they need to get away from me.
“The way we were playing two weeks ago, I thought I’d finally enjoy an all-star break and not have to work the phones. Sometimes things don’t work out that way. But I won’t let it stop me from going fishing. Last year, I didn’t do anything but work the phones for those four days.”
It’s hard to say how Washington will have to win games in the season’s second half because, as Vaeth mentioned, he’s not sure who is going to be on his pitching staff come Friday when the Wild Things play at East Division leader New York. What is certain is there will be some new names and fresh arms on the roster.
“I won’t say it will be as big of a haul as it was last year when we brought in a bunch of guys. I don’t need position guys this year,” Vaeth said. “I do need some starters, that’s for sure, and I need to replace Coles.”
Vaeth is not the only manager who will be looking for pitching. Washington leads the league with a team ERA of 4.08, more than a run lower than second-place Schaumburg. Some clubs in the 18-team league have ERAs that resemble social security numbers. The teams that find help on the mound will be best-suited to make a postseason run.
What would help Washington down the stretch is having the middle of the lineup continue to play powerball. Left fielder Anthony Brocato and first baseman Andrew Czech – often referred to as the Bash Brothers by Wild Things fans – are 1-2 in the league in both home runs and slugging percentage. Brocato has 17 homers and Czech has hit 16. Czech leads the league with 62 RBI and is second in walks with 51.
Center fielder Caleb Ketchup has 10 home runs and 22 stolen bases. Right fielder Jeff Liquori, who has been slowed by injuries, has hit nine homers. Third baseman Cole Fowler leads the team in hits, has eight home runs and is second with 46 RBI.
Starting pitcher Kobe Foster has been spectacular at times on the mound. He has a 6-2 record, leads the league with a 2.26 ERA and has thrown a no-hitter. He has given up only 44 hits in 67.2 innings.
The bullpen has started to take shape with all-star Landon Ginn as the closer, and Michael Foltz Jr. and newcomer Mack Anglin settling into setup roles.
The only thing not working in the Wild Things’ favor is the schedule, which was frontloaded with home games. Washington has a 30-game stretch, from late July to late August, that includes 21 road games. Six of those games are a series at Mississippi. Six of the nine home games during this stretch will be against Evansville, Aug. 7-9 and 18-20. They are the only games remaining against the Otters.
Sports editor Chris Dugan can be reached at dugan@observer-reporter.com