Brooklyn clinched a division title by the end of August. Afterwards, the Knights played some uncharacteristically sloppy baseball. Down the stretch, they posted a mediocre 17-15 record after wrapping up the division. Last season, the Nashville Firecats finished second to the Luisville Beasts. This season, they turned the tables and finished ahead of Luisville in the standings. Manager Piero Snell guided the Key West Corals to another division title and a franchise record 106 wins. The Corals hope to recapture the magic of 2013, their world championship season. In his first season as a big league manager, Paddy Wills led the Crusaders to their first division title since 2002.

The League Series match-ups:
Nashville Firecats (90-72) vs. Brooklyn Knights (115-47)
St. James Crusaders (83-79) vs. Key West Corals (106-56)

Head to head:
The Knights were 16-8 against the Firecats this season.
The Corals were 16-7 against the Crusaders this season.

Playoff injury report:
Devastating injuries plagued the Knights’ pitching staff. Starter Ralph Kerfoot tore his rotator cuff while Juan Fuentes and Bernard Gastelu missed much of the season due to torn UCLs (ulnar collateral ligaments). Brooklyn’s defensive wizard in centerfield, Romeo Usquiano has been on the DL since mid-September with a strained hamstring. The Firecats will be without right fielder Chris Lee, who tore an abdominal muscle late last month. The Corals’ bullpen has been without Juan Miranda since April 18. A torn rotator cuff caused him to miss the rest of the season. The Crusaders are facing the longest list of injuries. St. James has seven players on the disabled list. Most notable are SS Larry Arcienaga, 1B J.R. Singleton, and RF Rainer Rojas.

September 2015 awards:

League 1
Batter of the Month: Hsiao-lou Yeh (Brooklyn Knights)
Pitcher of the Month: José Trujilio (Las Vegas Luck)
Rookie of the Month: José Trujilio (Las Vegas Luck)

League 2
Batter of the Month: Yuan Li (Key West Corals)
Pitcher of the Month: Francisco Camaño (Washington Allies)
Rookie of the Month: John Buker (Phoenix Rattlers)

All four division leaders heading into August were still in first place at the end of the month. The Brooklyn Knights easily clinched another division title, wrapping it up on August 29. The Key West Corals seem very likely to win another division title. Meanwhile, the Firecats and Crusaders have good battles going with the Beasts and Rattlers, respectively.

August 2015 awards:

League 1
Batter of the Month: Manuel Montaya (Luisville Beasts)
Pitcher of the Month: Joe Farrell (St. Rock Mudcats)
Rookie of the Month: Michael Scullion (Nashville Firecats)

League 2
Batter of the Month: Tony Rodarte (Richmond Slam)
Pitcher of the Month: Hartman Ivers (Washington Allies)
Rookie of the Month: Bonifaco Sánchez (Vancouver Wild)

The division leaders have stayed on top for the last few months. The Knights and Corals have things well in hand while the Firecats and Crusaders continue to battle to remain in first place. There were a few trades in the last week of July. However, no major deals were struck before the July 31 trading deadline.

July 2015 awards:

League 1
Batter of the Month: John Edwards (Nashville Firecats)
Pitcher of the Month: Aaron Patterson (Brooklyn Knights)
Rookie of the Month: Sancho Malclonado (Nashville Firecats)

League 2
Batter of the Month: Yuan Li (Key West Corals)
Pitcher of the Month: Markus Wright (Phoenix Rattlers)
Rookie of the Month: Bergen Watson (Richmond Slam)