BLB Stretch Run 2012

[Delandis]

Taking a page out of Pat/Funclown's book of tricks.


Playoff Race:

1. Who do you have winning the Ale: Maine, Pittsburgh or does Pawtucket catch fire late in the season?

2. Who gets the final two wildcard spots in the IL?

3. Who do you have winning the Stout DVS or Washington?

4. Who is your team MVP?

5. Carolina is the obvious choice to repeat. Outside of that juggernaut, who would you bet on to win it all?





__________________

[Z]

1. Maine. Obviously. I think we win the division by at least two games. There's a good reason the utility has us as the 53.2% favorites to win the division—as opposed to Pittsburgh's 44% odds. Our team is outstanding and we have a significantly easier schedule the rest of the way than Pittsburgh.

2. Davenport and Death Valley. I don't see Batavia being on quite the same level as those two teams.

3. Washington. Their team is excellent and a four game lead is comfortable, though not insurmountable by any means.

4. It's Steve Suarez. In fact, I think he's the league MVP. I'll be continuing to promote his Stout Slugger case. Hits for average and power and will win his league-record 10th consecutive DWI this year.

5. I like us. It's hard for me to pick an IL team other than Carolina because the Tobs are tough to beat for the pennant. I feel great about our pitching and defense, and our bats are better than last year with the addition of Marshburn and Solum, along with the growth of Herrera.

[Delandis]

1. Pittsburgh.

I think Pawtucket would rather see Pittsburgh in the first round so they'll be fighting to the end to try to insure that happens, but I don't think it will be enough. Pittsburgh and Maine have been about the same quality since the break so it is probably more of a coin flip.

Pitt wins at home and their pitching hits another gear outside of Kennywood Park. I like teams like that. ;)

2. Davenport and DVS.

I'd love to see another Porter member make it to the dance but looking at Batavia I'm not sure they have the horses. DVS should come back around to challenge Washington and even with the new blood in Wilmington and Morgantown, I think the Porter is a better division top to bottom so Batavia will have a tough road to make up those 3 games on DVS.

3. Washington.

Their team is hot right now with the most wins in the IL since the All-Star break. They have a solid mix of veterans and well performing youngsters which is the recipe for winning a championship.

4. Todd Taylor (SP)

We haven't had a pitcher this dominant since Gil O'Moore made his appearance in Baltimore. Leading the IL in a lot of important categories, I think we go as far as he carries us.

5. Washington.

I think The Capital's park factors will normalize the offense of the Tobs and allows th Bats to go toe to toe based on the talent of their pitching. Carolina does have a better set of starters but Washington's crew are no slouches and their bullpen is sick.

It should be interesting if these two meet in the playoffs.

[Pat]

1. Maine. I have to agree with Z here. Maine has the 4th easiest remaining schedule in the DL, Pittsburgh has the 4th hardest and Pawtucket has the 3rd easiest. It's not a huge difference and what it will really come down to is their remaining head to head games. Maine is 9-4 against Pawtucket and 9-5 against Pittsburgh. They are they best team in the division and the only way I see them not winning the Ale is a major injury...it might even take two. However, both Pittsburgh and Pawtucket are near locks to win the two Wild Card spots. Because of that, don't be surprised to see both of them rest their ace the final week for the one-game playoff.

2. Davenport is a lock for the #1 spot. They have the easiest remaining schedule in the IL and already have a three game lead. They boast the IL's #1 Team Pitching, ERA 3.02, a very underrated lineup and are #2 in the IL in defense. Carolina is running away with the division and the #1 seed, but Davenport might be the 2nd best team in the IL...maybe even the entire BLB. The #2 spot comes down to DC/DVS (more on this later). Batavia has played very well the past two months but they are 7th in the IL in runs and 7th in runs allowed. They have a PYT of .500.

3. Washington. Despite UMD's recent trades, I just feel the Bats are the more talented roster. The teams have six more games against each other and are currently separated by four games. I expect the division to be up for grabs in the final week but I think the fact that Washington hosts Death Valley for the final three games could be the difference.

4. This was the toughest question for me... SP Dave "Pizza" Lippert has been everything we could have asked for. He is currently on pace for 16-7, 2.68 ERA, 201.2 IP, 218 K, 1.09 WHIP, 146 ERA+ and 6.6 WAR. That's probably the best season by a pitching in DC in at least five years. However, there are two others in the rotation actually with lower ERAs in Tyler Salzman and Troy Martin. Plus, with the #1 bullpen in the BLB, a replacement pitcher from Triple-A would probably pitch well. The best hitter has been OF Pat Ladd. He is currently on pace for arguably his best season since 2006! The 33-year-old is back on the Top Players List and made his first All-Star game since 2008. However, my team MVP is 3B/SS Antonio Cardenas. So far he has played 65 games at SS and 53 games at 3B, while providing near DWI-level defense at both positions. He is on pace for 34 doubles, 29 HRs, 95 RBI and just 64 strikeouts. Getting those types of numbers, while playing great defense at two infield positions, is tough to find.

5. Outside of Carolina, I would bet on Maine. They made a surprise run to the Brewmaster's last year, nearly won it and I think the team is better this year. Plus, when making a bet, you have to go with the odds and the odds are NOT in favor of any Wild Card team. In the past when we had just one Wild Card, their odds were almost as good as any playoff team. Now they are normally without their ace if they advance for the first few games plus, they could be one game and out. Maine though will be a popular choice as they probably end up the DL's #1 team. My darkhorse? Indianapolis. There is always a surprise in the playoffs and the Clowns have this weird "team of destiny" feel to them. Haven't made the playoffs since 2005. Made the biggest trade of the season to acquire their ace and closer in exchange for one of the leagues best prospects. Battled injuries all year. Called up young prospects who have performed. They still aren't even a lock to make the playoffs but they have been playing great baseball for three straight months. I also feel they have great team morale right now, maybe the best in baseball.

[umd]

Playoff Race:

1. Who do you have winning the Ale: Maine, Pittsburgh or does Pawtucket catch fire late in the season?

I expect Maine to continue to play well down the stretch and pass by Pittsburgh. The Guides have played extremely well the last month, have a terrific rotation and the bats throughout the order to maintain their success. I expect PAW to make a run late, but I think it's a WC year for them. Maybe they upset someone in the playoffs. I expect funclown to just stay the course with this group and hope the sims go his way.


2. Who gets the final two wildcard spots in the IL?

Davenport and DVS should be able to hold off Batavia. Surprisingly enough DAV and DVS have a similar record in August and the Scorpions hold a 5-1 season series lead on the Brawlers with 3 left to play in Davenport next month.

3. Who do you have winning the Stout DVS or Washington?

Washington should win the Stout. My 8 week in game vacation really showed with us going 10-15 in July and the injuries and bad storyline mojo piling up. I'd love to say that we'll make a strong run in September on the calendar change and our acquiring cheap and productive vets, but I never really know what to expect with this game. Either way, I expect us to play better and I still think I've put together a solid team. Dave Bryan and Tyler Clarke return for late September and that helps.

We'll just have to cross our fingers and stay the course to finish out the season and continue to build for the future.

4. Who is your team MVP?

Dave Honea has been amazing. He's 13-2 with a 2.62 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. He's been everything we hoped for when we dealt Brendan Lindsey to PHI for him. At just 24, he looks to be an anchor in this rotation for a long time.

I'd also have to include Hector Gutierrez here. We traded Dave Perkins (who has been terrific in LA) for Hector straight up in the offseason. It was a no brainer for us as Perkins was redundant for us in RF. Gutierrez fit two of our needs: a middle of the order bat and a glove in CF. He's been both, anchoring the middle of our order and (RJ) manning CF.

5. Carolina is the obvious choice to repeat. Outside of that juggernaut, who would you bet on to win it all?

I like Maine for many of the reasons already pointed out. I think we see a WAS vs MAI BLB Championship. Mostly because minus the cheater and the vacuum created by his absence, repeating is a tough task in the modern BLB.

[mike]

1. Maine. Obviously. I think we win the division by at least two games. There's a good reason the utility has us as the 53.2% favorites to win the division—as opposed to Pittsburgh's 44% odds. Our team is outstanding and we have a significantly easier schedule the rest of the way than Pittsburgh.

That's changed all season. This week you have higher odds. Next week it could change.

Good to be confident. Don't use the utility % as the reason why though considering this is the first time in two months it's listed you as the favorite.

[Delandis]

That's changed all season. This week you have higher odds. Next week it could change.



Good to be confident. Don't use the utility % as the reason why though considering this is the first time in two months it's listed you as the favorite.

I love this rivalry.

[Z]

That's changed all season. This week you have higher odds. Next week it could change.

Good to be confident. Don't use the utility % as the reason why though considering this is the first time in two months it's listed you as the favorite.

I said, "There's a good reason why" the odds are the way they are.

I didn't say the odds were the reason why I picked my club.

Don't mix up the direction of causality.

[mike]

I love this rivalry.

For it to be a rivalry that team in Pittsburgh needs to win something. Last time I checked, the DL reps were Paw and Maine the last two years.

We just talk shit from below.

[Z]

For it to be a rivalry that team in Pittsburgh needs to win something. Last time I checked, the DL reps were Paw and Maine the last two years.

We just talk shit from below.

Mike Underfoot!

[BDub]

1. Im going with Pittsburgh. Just feels right.

2. Davenport and Death Valley

3. Based on my answer to number 2, im taking Washington to win the division.

4. Tommy Phillips. Having a career year, easy choice.

5. Indy Clowns. They are playing well this season and its been sometime since they have had this kind of success. I wanna see an underdog win it all.

[Sharkn20]

1) I would say Maine, they are just incredible...

2) Davenport and Washington

3) DVS

4) CL Reynaldo Jimenez, he´s amazing, 34 Saves, 6 Wins and only 3 blows... When you´re 40-3 as a Closer you MUST be the best player in your team... It means 62.5% of the Ws in our team were thanks to him... Hats off buddy

5) I would say Maine, they are my favourites this year to win it all

[Delandis]

1) I would say Maine, they are just incredible...

2) Davenport and Washington

3) DVS

4) CL Reynaldo Jimenez, he´s amazing, 34 Saves, 6 Wins and only 3 blows... When you´re 40-3 as a Closer you MUST be the best player in your team... It means 62.5% of the Ws in our team were thanks to him... Hats off buddy

5) I would say Maine, they are my favourites this year to win it all

Shark going against the grain.

[umd]

4) CL Reynaldo Jimenez, he´s amazing, only 3 blows...

Only about 300 behind Carlos' career total.

[Sharkn20]

Shark going against the grain.

:) making some friends here