GOWDY 86 REPORT: THE PROJECT IS AT THE HALFWAY POINT

                                            RON KITTLE SPARKS WHITE SOX SURGE 

The Gowdy 86 project uses the Inside Pitch board game, the Digital Diamond board game companion and a King of the Hill format to answer what would happen if the 1986 season was played under this format. 

The relegation tournament resulted in the Chicago Cubs qualifying for the 24th slot in the project.  24 teams have been divided into Eastern, Central and Western Divisions.  8 teams in each division compete using a 8 round king of the hill format.  4 rounds have produced interesting results and alot of fun.

If the playoffs were held today , here would be the seedings:

1. New York Mets  9-2
2. Houston Astros  6-2
3. Milwaukee Brewers 6-4
4. Minnesota Twins 6-4
5.  San Fransico Giants 5-3
6.  Boston Red Sox  5-4

The Mets continue to live up to their reputation as the defending World Series champs.  The Yankees derailed the Mets blitz through the Eastern Division thanks to Bob Tewksbury's surprising CG shutout.  Tewks bewildered the Mets and held them to 5 hits.  Nevertheless, the Mets lead the Eastern Division with a 9-2 record.

Ron Kittle led the surging Chicago White Sox on a 4 game winning streak over the Brewers, Cubs, Tigers and Reds.  Kittle hit four home runs during the streak including a grand slam against the Brewers.  Joe Cowley dazzled the Reds with a complete game 4 hit shutout.  Despite the White Sox surge, the Milwaukee Brewers hold the Central Division lead with a 6-4 record. 

In Western Division  action, Bert Blyleven had a perfect game against the Dodgers with 1 out in the 9th  until Ken Landreaux hit a pinch hit single.  It was the only Dodger hitter to reach base in the game.  Blyleven also fanned 6 batters in the contest. 

The Houston Astros lead the Western Division with a 6-2 record thanks to a 3 game winning streak in round 4.  Houston used quality starts from Bob Knepper, Nolan Ryan and Jim Deshaies to post the wins. DeShaies fanned 9 in a 7 inning stint.  

STANDINGS

WESTERN

Astros  6-2
Twins  6-4
Angels 4-3
Padres  3-4
Athletics 2-4
Dodgers  2-4
Rangers   0-4


CENTRAL

Brewers  6-4
Royals  5-4
Tigers  4-3
White Sox 4-3
Reds 3-2
Cardinals 3-4
Cubs  2-4
Indians 1-4


EASTERN

Mets   9-2
Red Sox 5-4
Braves  4-4
Phillies 3-3
Blue Jays 2-4
Yankees 1-3
Expos  1-4



BATTING LEADERS

AVG

Guillen CWS 476
Clark  STL  464
D. Evans DET 462
Fernandez TOR 462
M. Salas MIN 455

OBP

D. Evans DET 562
Bochte OAK 526
Clark STL 516
McReynolds SDP 516
Guillen CWS 500

SLG

Parrish DET 926
McReynolds SDP 923
D. Evans DET 846
Rice BST 818
Leonard SFG 792

OPS

McReynolds SDP 1.439
D. Evans DET 1.409
Parrish DET 1.313
Clark STL  1.266
Rice  BST  1.266

HITS

Wilson NYM 18
Backman NYM 16
Cooper MIL 15
Hrbek MIN 14
Smalley MIN 14

HR 

Parrish DET 5
Davis HOU 4
Kittle CWS 4
A. Davis SEA 3
Decinces BLT 3

RBI 

Puckett MIN 12
Brenly SFG 11
Rice BST  11
McReynolds SDP 10
Decinces BLT 10

SB

Coleman STL 7
Henderson NYY 5
Hatcher HOU 4
Pettis CAL 4
Wiggins SDP 4


PITCHING LEADERS

IP

Blyleven MIN 26
Higuera MIL 23
Gooden NYM 23
Sutcliffe CHC 22
Viola MIN 22

W

Higuera MIL 3
Several with 2

SO

Clemens BST 20
Higuera MIL 20
Rijo OAK 20
Scott HOU 19
Ojeda NYM 18

ERA

Several with 0.00

SAVES

Orosco NYM 4
Several with 2 

on to round 5 !!!