Hot start, high hopes for London Majors: ‘Ready to go’

3 min read

Article content

Last year, London’s Boys of Summer were a bummer.

This time, the Majors are laying the lumber and their thrilling 14-9 come-from-behind win in Barrie last weekend improved their record to 7-3 and placed them firmly among the Intercounty Baseball League heavyweights.

“It’s been a good start so far,” London co-owner and manager Roop Chanderdat said. “We’re just trying to find some consistency. You want to keep improving.”

Article content

Last year, the Majors followed up their back-to-back league titles with a disappointing 17-25 record and seventh-place finish, followed by a first-round playoff exit. They struggled with production from their import players, especially the pitchers, and hit a collective .278 with a .788 OPS (on-base plus slugging) at the plate.

Right now, they’re out of the gate with a standout .304 team batting average and .833 OPS, including the 20-hit barrage against the Baycats.

“Both (Kaiden) Cordoso and (Victor) Plaz have been very good,” Chanderdat said. “Champ (Garner) is on fire. You can go down the list. Our biggest thing is hitting with runners in scoring position with less than two outs. We could be better at that in tight games and when you’re facing elite pitching, you need it.

“We were in a little funk with it, and hopefully, the Barrie game helped put it behind us. It’s a lineup that, glass half full, should be capable of scoring double-digit runs every game.”

St. Thomas lefty Travis Keys, the probable starter Friday against Toronto at Labatt Park, has been a trusty arm so far. Dominican Jose Arias, who had one of the Majors great pitching seasons in 2022, has returned to a club now operating without long-time bulldog Owen Boon.

Article content

The audition is still on for a third starter. Victor Payano has pitched well enough that Chanderdat doesn’t foresee scrambling at the deadline to add another import arm.

After the Toronto test, the Majors will hold their 13th annual ‘Pack the Park’ game on Sunday, 1:05 p.m. against Hamilton.

It’s the kickoff to the summer crowds and should fire the players up for a run at a third pennant in four years.

“You see the scores around the league and it’s tight,” Chanderdat said. “Every team is good. It’s hard to get wins in this league. Every game is a grind and you have to be ready to go.”

rpyette@postmedia.com

Recommended from Editorial

  1. PHOTOS: London Majors vs. Hamilton Cardinals

  2. London Majors shortstop Tommy Reyes-Cruz (21) tags out Chatham-Kent Barnstormers' Braxton Haggith (23) at second base during an Intercounty Baseball League game at Fergie Jenkins Field at Rotary Park in Chatham on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Mark Malone/Chatham Daily News/Postmedia Network

    London Majors 15, Chatham Barnstormers 12

Share this article in your social network

Read the full story

You May Also Like

More From Author