On Saturday Li-xue Si-ma was named the winner of the Pitcher of the Month award winner for the month of May in the CL. During the month Si-ma started 6 games, going 5-0, giving up only 20 hits in 43.2 IP while walking 15 and striking out 29 batters. It was his first such honor in his career and those 5 wins were nearly 30% of Jersey's 18 wins during the month. But where did this come from?
Si-ma signed a 2 year deal with Jersey Shore this past offseason after spending the rest of his career in Maui. Last season he went 11-7 with a 4.09 ERA and 1.6 WAR. Jersey signed Si-ma to be the 5th starter and more of a place holder until top pitching prospect Stephen Puckett was ready to join the rotation. Now let's look into the numbers.
On the season Si-ma is 7-0 through 10 starts and has a BSA low 1.24 ERA to go with a 0.90 WHIP. While he is striking out 6.0 batters per 9 innings which is right along with his career average, his BB/9 sits at 2.9 which is nearly a full walk below his career numbers. Batters are also hitting a BSA low .169 against him. Is it all good pitching, or is he getting lucky? His FIP currently sits at 3.60 which is 2 runs higher than his actual ERA and .70 better than his career norms. The number that really stands out is his .197 BABIP which is absurd and very not sustainable.
While I think everyone in Jersey does not expect Si-ma to continue this amazing season, with Jose Ramos struggling to the tune of 6-4 with a 3.99 ERA, Si-ma has helped pick up the pieces and keep Jersey near the top of a crowded playoff race. Currently the D-Bags sit 3rd in the CL East and are 3 games behind the division leading Greenville 84's and 1.5 games behind the St. Louis Browns. In the Wild Card race, they are currently tied with the Portland Philosopher Kings for the 2nd wild card spot. With the added playoff spot the CL is shaping up to be a great race and probably won't be settled until very late in the season.
GO D-BAGS
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