Miguel Cabrera and the Lost Crusade

The Traverse City Crusaders entered their home stand, 1-5, hosting the Hollywood Werewolves -- One of the league's favorites in the American League Title, if not the 2014 MWBL World Title.

The Crusaders made headlines during the winter trading their superstar Miguel Cabrera, and they traded him to their A.L. West Division rival Hollywood. The Crusaders knew that they had to start the rebuilding process; Certainly, it's never easy trading one of the best players in the game, by the end of his career he will be one of the best ever, if he's not one of the best already.

Traverse City would have some big leads in some of the games against Hollywood, but in the end, Hollywood pulled away with the victory. In fact, the Crusaders have been one of the best teams during the first four innings...

• In their 13 games, 18% of their total runs came in the first inning.
• 12% during the 2nd Inning.
• 18% during the 3rd Inning.
• 14% during the 4th Inning.

So basically, 62% of their run production happens in the first four innings.

Their runs created stat is actually one of the best in the league (mostly due to their big starts). They have 115.5 RC compared to the likes of the Chicago Mobsters (117.4).

But it's not about how you start a game, it's about how you end a game.

The Crusaders rank 24th (out of 28) in hitting, with a .202 batting average, they have the league's 3rd fewest hits (88) in their 13 games.

They rank last in ERA. How bad? There is no team in the MWBL over 5.00 ERA, the Crusaders' team ERA is 6.75! Ouch! -- The next worst team (the Columbus Explorers) have a 4.96 ERA. The team has given up the most round-trippers with 18, and opponents are batting .321 against them.

The Werewolves & Lumber Company combined for 91 runs against the Crusaders, easily the most runs allowed by one team in all the MWBL (2nd most, has allowed 68 runs)!

This all combined accumulating to a 1-12 record! All while Miguel & his new Hollywood teammates are enjoying a 11-game winning-streak, and 12-2 record -- Yes, the Crusaders are 13 games into the season, and they are already 10.5 games out.

The Crusaders knew it would be bad, and knew that they would be trying to change the direction of the franchise, for awhile at least -- it's rock bottom.