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08/23/2049
We saw another unicorn as the best team in baseball went 7-0 this past week. Pawtucket swept Pittsburgh and Dallas, now sits at 86-40, and has a 19 game lead in the Ale. Their max win probability sits at 116 games and they will be the #1 seed in the Domestic come playoff time. Other top weeks were Hartford, New Orleans and Washington who all went 5-1. Throw in Batavia and Baltimore who went 5-2 and there were more than a few happy franchises. The not so happy franchises were Dallas who went 1-6, and Phoenix who went 1-5. The Roadrunners are now .500 after a miserable 4-15 August, as they barely are holding on to a wildcard spot.
Power Rankings
1) Pawtucket Patriots (139.9, o)
2) Washington Bats (121.8, o)
3) Batavia Red Jackets (111.2, o)
4) New Orleans Voodoo (101.6, ++)
5) Hartford Whalers (100.7, ++)
6) Philadelphia Freedom (97.4, ++)
7) Toronto Canadians (96.0, ++)
8) Montreal Exports (94.1, o)
9) Los Angeles Dinos (93.1, --)
10) Pittsburgh Millers (93.1, -)
11) Wilmington Clowns (92.7, --)
12) Denver Bulls (89.0, --)
13) Seattle Pilots (84.0, ++)
14) Baltimore Bulldogs (83.6, ++)
15) California Kodiaks (82.1, -)
16) Windy City Blues (81.7, --)
17) Indianapolis Racers (81.6, ++)
18) Carolina Tobs (81.0, -)
19) Maine Guides (80.6, --)
20) Phoenix Roadrunners (79.0, --)
21) New York Cyclones (78.8, -)
22) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (71.1, --)
23) Syracuse Snappers (68.4, +)
24) Dallas Drillers (64.3, -)
Performance of the Week
P Godrell Gonzalez - After starting out 0-5 for Baltimore, Gonzalez was shipped off to Pawtucket just last month. His first game for the Patriots he got shellacked to the tune of 7 ER in 5.2 IP in a loss to Toronto. He got things going this past week though on August 18th against Pittsburgh. In his first win of the season he went the entire game, allowed four hits, one run, and struck out 12 in an 11-1 victory. He's now 1-6 with a 5.85 ERA and 68 ERA+.
Prospect of the Week
P Ashton Bell - The 24 year old is now eight games into his BLB career and he looks like he could be a star. The 221st overall pick from the 2042 draft is a true diamond in the rough. At 6'6, with a devastating fastball, the stamina to go all game, and a work ethic that is second to none he has all the tools to be 'the guy'. So far in the BLB he's 1-1 with a 4.08 ERA after picking up his first ever win on August 13th against New Orleans.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. The streak is over for Django Dietzen who was held hitless for the first time in a BLB game on August 19th against Windy City. The 24 year old rookie showed no fear upon being called up and tied the 6th longest hitting streak in the history of the league. Not bad for a kid who has played in 36 career games.
2. Philly is under new management and they haven't missed a beat. A game away from the Brewmasters last season they have put together three winning months in a row, including this month where they are an astounding 14-6 to move them above .500. They are now in the 3rd wildcard spot in the Import, which is a long way from where fans thought they would be after starting the season 1-6.
3. Impossible means nothing apparently to Toronto All-Star Dane Jennings. The shortstop leads the league in 'impossible balls' fielded with 89. He also has a 10.2 ZR, which is only second to Philadelphia's Chip Martin. No wonder the Canadians signed him to a near $200m extension over eight years. The 26 year old should be the heart and soul of Toronto for a long time to come.
4. Hartford just brought up Ashton Bell, has the #1 farm system, and still has 22 year old starter Tim Stover sitting in the wings. The 22 year old is the 3rd overall prospect in the league, and is currently in AAA where he's 7-8 with a 3.14 ERA. He also just tossed a no-hitter on August 7th against Reno. By the way he was a 7th round draft pick, and with Bell being a 10th round pick someone needs to start spying on the Whalers scout. Did we also mention that Hartford is 67-59 and second in the Ale. The future is bright.
5. What's on tap? How about a 1v2 as Montreal travels to New Orleans. These two just met a few weeks ago with Montreal taking two of three. The season series is now tied up at 3-3 with six games to play. Standing wise they are only separated by one game, with New Orleans atop the Lager...for now. In the Import we get Phoenix at Washington. Can the Roadrunners stop the slide? They went from division lead to 3.5 back and now trailing both LAD and Denver. Streak wise Pawtucket has won nine in a row, Batavia has won five in a row, and Phoenix has lost five in a row.
Stat of the Week
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Most Batting WAR with Entire ML Career for One Team
| Player | Team | Years | Active | War |
| Mike Morla | CAL | 2018-2034 | 97.40 | |
| Steve Suarez | MAI | 2001-2024 | 96.95 | |
| Dylan Owens | TOR | 2017-2039 | 68.68 | |
| Jerry Daly | VIR | 1991-2002 | 63.00 | |
| Joey Robertson | CAL | 2037-2049 | Active | 60.25 |
| Richie van Luik | SEA | 2037-2049 | Active | 53.97 |
| Tristan Romarigues | MAI | 1996-2012 | 53.12 | |
| Joey Kelch | CAL | 1997-2007 | 51.37 | |
| Aubrey Albano | PAW | 2041-2049 | Active | 42.52 |
| Chet Daugherty | IND | 1997-2007 | 41.80 | |
| Tom Roseboom | WAS | 2018-2029 | 41.58 | |
| Jamari Bess | IND | 2023-2035 | 41.05 | |
| Brian Wallace | LAD | 2040-2049 | Active | 35.81 |
| J.D. Carr | NO | 2025-2036 | 35.56 | |
| Kade Priddy | PIT | 2042-2049 | Active | 35.49 |
| Johnny Knott | LAD | 2015-2028 | 34.98 | |
| Don O'Finegan | NO | 1988-1998 | 34.49 | |
| Tom Swanson | PHI | 1998-2010 | 34.34 | |
| Pat Barker | BAT | 2021-2029 | 32.85 | |
| Melchior Werth | NYC | 2042-2049 | Active | 32.17 |
| Fred Falloon | IND | 2031-2043 | 32.07 | |
| Anastasio Colón | VIR | 1993-2002 | 31.92 | |
| Ramão Cavadas | LOS | 1992-2001 | 31.66 |
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