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After narrowly missing the playoffs by one game in 2019, the London Mustangs have currently opened up a 5.5 game lead on Owen Sound in the Fishermen's West division and the franchise is aiming for its first playoff appearance since 2010.
Last season, the Mustangs acquired ageing veteran and CBL strikeout king Hooks Fife from Sask at the trade deadline for the playoff push. As a result, the CBL Magazine described London's rotation as the best in the CBL for 2020, with staff ace Scott Petrie and Fife leading the way. Ryan Curry, Kyle Stonestreet and Luke Meservy completed a formidable rotation.
Still, the owners in London felt it needed even more to have an impact in the playoffs, acquiring yet another ageing veteran pitcher in Pickles Stackpole from Cold Lake. The price was steep, as London was forced to give up a 1st round pick along with relievers Neil Liddy, Andrew Rasby and Leigh Alleman, but the chance to unite two of the best pitchers in the CBL's history (Fife and Stackpole) for a Championship run was too alluring.
The 2020 additions of Stackpole, Bruce Mouton and Pete Eagan is a vast improvement to London's pitching staff, not to mention the vast improvement of Scott Petrie (18 QS in 18 GS).
On offense, the team's cleanup hitter Mark Baston went down in June with a dislocated shoulder and is still 4-6 weeks away from a return. At the time of his injury, Baston led the team in batting average, homeruns, and RBIs. However, the rest of the team picked up their play, especially 2020 1st round pick CF Matt Hullena who stepped in right away after being drafted and LF Drew VanDyke.
These additions should help London reach the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, and with Baston returning just before the playoffs, the Mustangs will be a team to watch!
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