2018 Ben McDonald Award winner

Hopatcong's Stephen Strasburg, the league's only 20-game winner and the ERA champion in 2018, was a nearly unanimous selection as the Ben McDonald Award.

2018 Listach Award Winner

Empire City OF Aaron Judge became the first Listach Award winner in franchise history and was a unanimous pick among the handful of DMBL owners who cast ballots.

2018 Listach Award candidates

The 2018 season has continued a trend in recent years of monster seasons from first-year players. These guys have put up not just Listach-worthy campaigns but have challenged for the Mitchell Award in their rookie seasons.

2018 Ben McDonald candidates

At first glance, it may seem like the 2018 Ben McDonald Award is a runaway. There was only one 20-game winner in the league last season and the same starter also led the league in ERA. But maybe not so fast.

Bullpen sputters but Hopatcong clinches first finals appearance

It took another 13 innings to settle the other Game 6 semi-final. The Vancouver bullpen put up a valiant effort and was rewarded with a 9th-inning rally to force extras but Hopatcong finally closed it out in the 13th for a 6-5 win.

This time, it's Hopatcong that holds on, taking Game 3

Second-seeded Hopatcong aimed for the same formula as their Game 1 win: 6 innings out of their starter and let the bullpen do the rest.

Camargo walks off Game 5 for Iron Fist

A four-run 7th inning gave Hillsborough its first lead of Game 5 on Friday night but Vancouver tied it in the 8th on a Josh Reddick homer and then walked off on a series-ending single from unlikely hero Johan Camargo to win the Game 5 slugfest, 9-8.

Rosario homers again to lead Hit Men

Eddie Rosario homered for the second consecutive game and Matt Davidson drove in 4 runs as 6th-seeded Hillsborough struck back with an 8-3 triumph in Vancouver on Sunday night to even their Best-of-Five series at 1-1.

2018 pitching leaders

For the second straight season, only one pitcher was able to win 20 games, which could make Stephen Strasburg the man to beat in the race for the Ben McDonald Award.

Stars of spring training

On the eve of the 2018 regular season, let's take a look at what transpired over the 29 games of spring training this year and whether it gives us any inkling into what to expect in the coming months.

Sugar Bears win 11 straight again

Andy Pettitte made his season debut for Carolina, earning the win despite a mediocre performance. Pettitte, starting for the injured Carlos Zambrano, allowed five runs in six innings in a 9-5 win over South Boston. Paul Konerko was 4-5 with 3 RBIs and Travis Hafner also contributed 3 RBIs.

D.C. has finally cooled off, losing four straight after yesterday's 6-5 loss to Hillsborough. The slump coincides with the recent injury to second baseman Luis Castillo. "Luis is the heart and soul of this squad" said teammate Carl Crawford. "Sure he only has 9 extra base hits in 77 games but he has intangibles....intangibles!" The Hired Hitmen scored all six runs in the last three innings, including a 4-run eighth that featured a 3-run Ryan Howard shot.

Newark won their 11th straight game with a 9-6, 18-hit slugfest victory over Marietta. Newark batters are now hitting .323 on the season with a .408 on base percentage and .592 slugging. Newark also became the first team to win 80 this season (Philadelphia is the next highest with 62 wins!).

Chris Carpenter pitched a solid game to help Vancouver stymie Philly 3-1 yesterday. Carpenter improved to 6-3 for Vancouver (9-7 overall) with an 8-inning performance, holding the Animals to five hits and one earned run. Moises Alou drove in all three runs in the game.

The trading deadline is approaching. Sunday July 15th will be the last day to make any deals or to claim any free agents that will be elligible as keepers for next season.