06.20.2010: Going Cali

Here is our second installment of 'Inside the Dugout.' Today's featured player: the Cali lefty, Matt Florer

Inside the Dugout: Matt Florer

P.S. 'Stache Bros. Update tomorrow

It was another tough, late-inning loss for the Lunkers as they fell to the Bats, 6-3.

I've mentioned before that in the press box, while calling a game, I have to be unbiased, forced to hide my allegiances. In truth, I pull very hard for the team. I believe that I am one of the team's biggest fans. It kills me to look at their record because I know they are better than what the standings illustrate.

Worst team in the league? No way. Not at all. Their is too much talent on the squad for that to be the case. I know talent alone doesn't win ball games, but things have to come together at some point. The midway point of the first half--aka the first quarter--passes with the transition between the 17th and 18th game. That transition, for the Lunkers as they stepped on the bus to depart from St. Cloud Saturday night, until the moment they step off the bus to return to St. Cloud later today. I truly hope that, in this transition of first quarter to second quarter, the team transition's in its performance as well.

The signs are certainly there. Their defense is playing much better, in spite of the three errors they committed today. Their pitching is still strong and has always been strong. Their hitting is starting to really come around. The box scores do not justify this claim, but the team's quality at-bats and increase in line drives do.

The additions of Stephen Wickens, Tommy Reyes and Chadd Krist to the lineup certainly add more depth. T.J. Berge is in a major slide, but, in adherence to the law of averages, he, one of the team's best players, is bound to erupt any moment. David Allbritton, who waited until the 15th game of the season to pick up his first extra-base hit, is starting pound the ball at the plate. Vince Bruno, after struggling in his first few games, is piling up the hits as well. This squad, in full force, has only had a couple games under their belt.

My prediction? In what has been a season of streaks--more bad than good--the Lunkers are set to embark on a collection of 18 games in which they will win at least 12. Will it be enough to earn a first-half playoff berth? That is out of the team's control. But it will bring them into the second half with the confidence and momentum necessary to earn the berth offered to the 2nd half division winners.