07/29/2025
STRIKEOUT KINGS - A THREE HEADED MONSTER
The Expos offense has garnered much attention in 2025, and rightfully so. The bats are mashing baseball as a historic pace that could challenge several longstanding franchise and Central Ohio records.
But the Expos are phenomenal on both sides of the baseball. While great players like Phillips, Lawrence, and Fairchild roam the outfield, and the surehanded Griffey, Bullock, Carter, and Colman lock down the infield, the ball is always put in play first by the pitcher.
The "Big 3" of the Expos arsenal have amassed a combined 1,226 strikeouts over 19 seasons, or 200 games, representing 933.2 innings pitched. That dynamic trio of Eric Sims, Niko George, and Jacob Chrysler has been instrumental in the Expos pursuit of their first league title.
There were some concerns early on about how the team would share the workload. With respect to past a present teammates, each of these guys have, at one point or another, carried a ballclub. Chrysler achieved personal highs in Wins (10) and innings pitched (80) just a year ago. Sims has surpassed 50 innings pitched every year he has played in the league. And Niko is 19-3 in an Expos uniform. Moreover, in the all time standings, starting with ERA, Sims is 12th at 2.16, George is 16th at 2.85, and Chrysler is 26th at 3.58. In strikeouts, Chrysler is 9th, at 510, Sims 11th at 493, and George 32nd with 223. It would be easy, and justified, for all these guys to make their personal agendas front and center. But, that’s not been the case, as all three have focused on the club’s number one goal, “winning it all.”
"We can't say enough about our defense," says Sims. "People always say to let your defense work, but it's not been a cliche for us. I have so much confidence throwing strikes because of the dudes behind me." On what it's been like adjusting to a new team, Sims explained, "It's been great playing with Jake and Niko. We have really great communication. We always try to get consensus in game about what direction we want to go. For whatever reason, Niko and Jake have been more than willing to let me take the ball first, and I've fully embraced that role. And it's an even better feeling to watch those two slam the door for me when I come out." Chrysler has been impressed with Sims and is enjoying the reliever/closer role in 2025. "Nobody was more excited to take the ball than Eric was. I trust him implicitly and believe with Niko and I behind him, we have what it takes to keep us in any game this season."
There are still challenges that remain for the Big 3, including aces that they haven't seen yet in Alex Boshers of the Tigers and Luke Chappie of the Ducks. "There are so many great pitchers in this league, as always, and we look forward to dueling it out with those guys in the postseason," says Chrysler. "We can't sleep on anybody. The Pirates, Brewers, and Phillies all have guys who can get big outs. There is still work to do, but I absolutely love where we are at as a club. We are getting hot at the right time."
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