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BLB Network -- As the 2018 season approaches the (final) August 31 waiver trade deadline, let's take a look at the pennant, wildcard, and award races as we push through September call-ups and into the playoffs. In the second season since the league expanded to 26 teams and increased playoff participants to 12, more teams than every are checking the standings daily to see if they can sneak into the post-season. Even Carlos. Enjoy this music filled analysis of the BLB stretch run featuring classic hits for the division winners and the wild card presented by the hottest rapper in the game!
Projected Winner:
THE ANGELS
"My funclown's Back"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NuofNHKbVc
My funclown's back and you're gonna be in trouble
(Hey-la-day-la my funclown's back)
You see him comin' better cut out on the double
(Hey-la-day-la my funclown's back)
Pawtucket - The GM everyone loves to hate is back with the best record in the BLB. This isn't his first season returning as GM but he's back to his old self posting more and making headlines via trade. For instance, he brought back slugger 1B TJ Dunn, who hit 81 HRs and 217 RBI during the '13-'14 back-to-back title teams. Currently on a nine game winning streak, the Patriots look as formidable as ever. We're all gonna be in trouble...
THE ANGELS
"My funclown's Back"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NuofNHKbVc
My funclown's back and you're gonna be in trouble
(Hey-la-day-la my funclown's back)
You see him comin' better cut out on the double
(Hey-la-day-la my funclown's back)
Pawtucket - The GM everyone loves to hate is back with the best record in the BLB. This isn't his first season returning as GM but he's back to his old self posting more and making headlines via trade. For instance, he brought back slugger 1B TJ Dunn, who hit 81 HRs and 217 RBI during the '13-'14 back-to-back title teams. Currently on a nine game winning streak, the Patriots look as formidable as ever. We're all gonna be in trouble...
Projected Winner:
ANIMALS
"BLB, Don't let me be Misunderstood"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfwN0X8YnWo
BLB, sometimes I'm so carefree
With a joy that's hard to hide
And sometimes it seems that all I have do is worry
Then you're bound to see my other side
But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Dallas - Lead by a GM with many questions, whose words are often lost in translation, once again Cesar Shark has Dallas at the top of the Lager. This would be the franchises first three-peat as division champs since the late '90s. The Sharks boast the DL's best bullpen (2.91), lead by 35-year-old CL Reynaldo "Stinger" Jimenez who continues to make his case for the best closer of all-time.
Projected Winner:
HAROLD MELVIN AND THE BLUE NOTES
"Bad Luck"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A46VTAAIEZc
You got bad luck, that's what you got
That's what you got, bad luck
That's what you got, that's what you got
Bad luck, that's what you got
That's what you got
You got bad luck, bad luck
Batavia - Once again, the Muckdogs have fielded arguably the most talented roster in the entire BLB. And yes, once again, they are among the leagues worst in PYT record. This season, at -5, is worst in the Stout. The previous three seasons: -6, -10, -7. It seems every year the Muckdogs are amongst the league leaders in runs scores and runs allowed but seem to lose more games than they should. With the Philadelphia Freedom right on their heals at (75-49), they might need that luck to turn around quick.
KENDRICK LAMAR
"Alright"
https://youtu.be/Z-48u_uWMHY?t=2m40s
We gon' be alright
We gon' be alright
We gon' be alright
Do you hear me, do you feel me? We gon' be alright
Huh? We gon' be alright
Huh? We gon' be alright
Huh? We gon' be alright
Do you hear me, do you feel me? We gon' be alright
ANIMALS
"BLB, Don't let me be Misunderstood"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfwN0X8YnWo
BLB, sometimes I'm so carefree
With a joy that's hard to hide
And sometimes it seems that all I have do is worry
Then you're bound to see my other side
But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Dallas - Lead by a GM with many questions, whose words are often lost in translation, once again Cesar Shark has Dallas at the top of the Lager. This would be the franchises first three-peat as division champs since the late '90s. The Sharks boast the DL's best bullpen (2.91), lead by 35-year-old CL Reynaldo "Stinger" Jimenez who continues to make his case for the best closer of all-time.
HAROLD MELVIN AND THE BLUE NOTES
"Bad Luck"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A46VTAAIEZc
You got bad luck, that's what you got
That's what you got, bad luck
That's what you got, that's what you got
Bad luck, that's what you got
That's what you got
You got bad luck, bad luck
Batavia - Once again, the Muckdogs have fielded arguably the most talented roster in the entire BLB. And yes, once again, they are among the leagues worst in PYT record. This season, at -5, is worst in the Stout. The previous three seasons: -6, -10, -7. It seems every year the Muckdogs are amongst the league leaders in runs scores and runs allowed but seem to lose more games than they should. With the Philadelphia Freedom right on their heals at (75-49), they might need that luck to turn around quick.
Projected Winner:
DEPECHE MODE
"Enjoy the Silence"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0AKJMGxwpE
Words like violence
Break the silence
Come crashing in
Into my little world
Painful to me
Pierce right through me
Can't you understand?
Los Alamos - Sully has transformed the Amigos since taking over for Spot as GM of the long suffering franchise. If the Amigos can hold on in the Bock, it would be their first division title and playoff appearance since 2002. One thing does remain the same, a lack of activity on the forums from whomever the Los Alamos GM. Enjoy the silence!
Domestic League
DEPECHE MODE
"Enjoy the Silence"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0AKJMGxwpE
Words like violence
Break the silence
Come crashing in
Into my little world
Painful to me
Pierce right through me
Can't you understand?
Los Alamos - Sully has transformed the Amigos since taking over for Spot as GM of the long suffering franchise. If the Amigos can hold on in the Bock, it would be their first division title and playoff appearance since 2002. One thing does remain the same, a lack of activity on the forums from whomever the Los Alamos GM. Enjoy the silence!
Domestic League
KENDRICK LAMAR
"Alright"
https://youtu.be/Z-48u_uWMHY?t=2m40s
We gon' be alright
We gon' be alright
We gon' be alright
Do you hear me, do you feel me? We gon' be alright
Huh? We gon' be alright
Huh? We gon' be alright
Huh? We gon' be alright
Do you hear me, do you feel me? We gon' be alright
The Wildcats, Whalers, Millers, and Dukes, are 4.5 games back or more of the division and all seem unlikely to take their respective divisions. However, in the words of Kendrick, "we gon' be alright." The new playoff format allows for four Wild Card teams.
This will be the just the second playoff appearances for Wilmington since 1990! This will be the first playoff appearance since 2007. Pittsburgh and New Orleans have made the post-season in recent seasons but are hoping to make it much further than they have in awhile.
Keep an eye on Morgantown and Maine.
This will be the just the second playoff appearances for Wilmington since 1990! This will be the first playoff appearance since 2007. Pittsburgh and New Orleans have made the post-season in recent seasons but are hoping to make it much further than they have in awhile.
Keep an eye on Morgantown and Maine.
Import League
KENDRICK LAMAR
"Money Trees"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwR_1EP18eo
Pick your poison, tell me what you doing
Everybody gon' respect the shooter
But the one in front of the gun lives forever
(The one in front of the gun, forever)
And I been hustling all day, this-a-way, that-a-way
Through canals and alleyways, just to say
Money trees is the perfect place for shade and that's just how I feel
KENDRICK LAMAR
"Money Trees"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwR_1EP18eo
Pick your poison, tell me what you doing
Everybody gon' respect the shooter
But the one in front of the gun lives forever
(The one in front of the gun, forever)
And I been hustling all day, this-a-way, that-a-way
Through canals and alleyways, just to say
Money trees is the perfect place for shade and that's just how I feel
What do these four teams have in common? Big trades. Washington and Seattle swapped superstars a few weeks backs, changing the fortunes of both teams. Hidetoshi Haraguchi and Dave Nelson are adjusting well to their new teams and as a result, the Bats and Pilots appear to be on their way to the post-season. Philly made maybe the biggest move in acquiring SP Adrian Polido from Baltimore. And most busy of all, Death Valley somehow has managed to compete for a spot in the dance while trading away tons of talent. It's no coincidence that these four teams had some of the highest player payrolls in the league to start the season.
Keep an eye on New York and Windy City.
Keep an eye on New York and Windy City.
Award Winners
Domestic League
GM of the Year - Mike (Pittsburgh)
Stout Slugger - Jamie O'Hearn (Pittsburgh)
Pale Ale - Johnny McDade (Pawtucket)
Last Call - Reynaldo Jimenez (Dallas)
New Brew - Dylan Ownes (Toronto)
Import League
GM of the Year - UMD (Death Valley)
Stout Slugger - Stu "Lord" Stark (Batavia)
Pale Ale - Pat Evans (Philadelphia)
Last Call - Israel Rodrigues (Washington)
New Brew - Rod Sedevic (Los Alamos)
Brewmasters - Batavia over Wilmington in 6
GM of the Year - Mike (Pittsburgh)
Stout Slugger - Jamie O'Hearn (Pittsburgh)
Pale Ale - Johnny McDade (Pawtucket)
Last Call - Reynaldo Jimenez (Dallas)
New Brew - Dylan Ownes (Toronto)
Import League
GM of the Year - UMD (Death Valley)
Stout Slugger - Stu "Lord" Stark (Batavia)
Pale Ale - Pat Evans (Philadelphia)
Last Call - Israel Rodrigues (Washington)
New Brew - Rod Sedevic (Los Alamos)
Brewmasters - Batavia over Wilmington in 6
***
Agree? Disagree? Better song choices? What about non-contenders, what are you up to? Discuss!
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