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07/19/2038
(AP)
The year of the Bats rolls on as they swept Carolina, run their win tally to nine in a row, have the best record in the league at the All-Star break, and have a twelve game lead in the Stout. We're not sure what can stop this train other than possibly the sixth seed come playoff time. Just kidding Washington fans, please don't flood our inbox with angry mail. Other sweeps belonged to Philly, California, Pittsburgh, Denver, Batavia, Indianapolis and Miami. All but one of those teams have winning records. The odd team out are the Freedom who currently sit at 40-52. Can a second half surge get them into playoff contention? Currently the odds-makers say no but only time will tell!
Power Rankings
1) Washington Bats (138.9, o)
2) California Kodiaks (121.3, +)
3) Seattle Pilots (116.5, -)
4) Denver Bulls (112.5, ++)
5) Miami Sharks (108.5, ++)
6) Batavia Red Jackets (107.6, +)
7) Hartford Whalers (107.4, o)
8) Indianapolis Racers (102.5, ++)
9) New Orleans Voodoo (100.2, +)
10) Pittsburgh Millers (99.8, ++)
11) Los Angeles Dinos (98.7, --)
12) Toronto Canadians (94.7, --)
13) Carolina Tobs (92.7, --)
14) Windy City Blues (86.8, -)
15) Philadelphia Freedom (86.3, ++)
16) Pawtucket Patriots (84.4, +)
17) Wilmington Clowns (79.2, -)
18) Montreal Exports (75.4, --)
19) Phoenix Roadrunners (74.5, -)
20) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (71.3, +)
21) Baltimore Bulldogs (66.7, -)
22) Maine Guides (61.2, +)
23) New York Knights (56.8, -)
24) Syracuse Snappers (14.5, o)
Performance of the Week
RF Dave Hoyt - On July 14th against LAD Hoyt tallied up three hits, a home run, drove in two and scored twice in a 7-1 victory. Two days later in the 5th inning of the BLB All-Star game he hit a three-run home run off of Miami's Louie Reutter to put the IL up 5-0. It was all they would need as they eventually won 5-2. On the season Hoyt is hitting .356/.444/.692 with 24 HR's and 78 RBI's in what has turned into the best season of his career.
Injury of the Week
CF Ryan Hubbard - He started the year in AAA but has been in the BLB since May 17th where he has patrolled center field for the Clowns. Unfortunately on July 13th against Hartford he strained his hamstring running out an infield hit in the 8th inning and will be out for at least six weeks. The 22 year old was the 4th overall pick in the 2033 draft and has a chance to be one of the best defensive players in the league. Combine that with his blazing fast speed and he has All-Star potential if he can stay healthy.
Prospect of the Week
RF Sidney 'Doofus' Ishibashi - We talked about 'Doofus' before but he is just killing it in AAA this season for Windy City. Over 74 games he's hitting .385/.461/.736 with 28 HR's, 53 RBI's, and a 5.2 WAR. He was the 27th overall pick in the 2033 draft and is currently the 74th overall prospect in the league, which we find hard to believe. At this point in his development scouts familiar with Ishibashi believe he's a .300 hitter that could hit 25+ home runs.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. Some BLB team leaders at the break. Washington leads all in both runs scored (577) and earned runs allowed (318). Wilmington has the lead with 162 home runs. The Bats also lead with 101 stolen bases. Miami has thrown 11 shutouts, Carolina has 42 saves, and Windy City has eight complete games.
2. In the teams we like to see at the break category: New Orleans is 7-0 against Syracuse, Batavia is 6-0 vs New York, Philly is 6-0 against Baltimore, and Seattle is 7-0 vs New York and 6-0 vs Phoenix.
3. Syracuse has lost 10 in a row going into the break and are now 18-76. They set the all-time BLB record last season with a .222 winning percentage, but they currently sit at .191 as of today. They are 11th or 12th in the DL in every pitching and hitting category except for stolen bases where they rank 9th. They are projected to win 31 games and since 1978 it is safe to say they are the worst team the BLB has ever seen. There are only two things which currently bring a smile to a Snappers fan...pitching prospects Christian Vines and Phil Curry. If these two develop and stay healthy Syracuse will have a 1-2 combo for the 2040's like none have seen before.
4. The Pittsburgh Millers are 49-45 and currently in second place in the Ale. The Windy City Blues are 49-46 and currently in 5th place in the Bock. With the Blues being 11th in SLG and 10th in OPS maybe 'Doofus' will be in the BLB sooner than later.
5. Congrats to Ian James for making his 14th straight All-Star game appearance this week. At 36 years old his days of being a catcher are almost over, and it might be hard to make it fifteen straight at DH, but he has had a heck of a run. He also has a shot to win his 15th straight Designated Driver award as only Hartford's Josh Allen has more home runs at the break.
Stat of the Week
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| Most Career Wins Without Being An All-Star (Top 25 Players, Wins Since First All-Star Game in 1978) |
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