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The best time to post Metrics would have been Opening Day. That didn't happen, so the next best time to post them is today.
It was a busy offseason in the BLB, with plenty of top players changing teams in free agency. But, was it enough to shift the balance of power in the league?
Without any further introduction, and without any explanation of methods, here are the Metrics as they stand near the beginning of the 2051 Season.
The Metrics correctly pegged "Batavia" as the top team heading into last season, looking prophetic when the Red Jackets took home the Brew (and had the best record in the league with 107 wins). They might not be in Batavia anymore, but the Sharks appear to be doing something right as they lead the field again this season. The numbers love the lineup, and the Sharks appear to have a lot of high quality arms to turn to. The big question is in the starting rotation, where it was already a bit of a question mark prior to losing Jayden McAlpine, whose injury is not being reflected here. Even without him, if the Sharks can find a way to pitch, they'll be hard to beat. Jerry Coleman and Devin Suiter are the two highest rated prospects to start the season in the Majors, they'll be needed if the Sharks want to repeat.
The Bats won 106 games last year and appear to be right on Sharks heels (fin?). Washington has new addition Rayburn Michel to help anchor the rotation alongside Reid Rothstein, and the Metrics rave about the Bats bullpen. But, they lost most of their power from their lineup, so who is going to drive in runs for this team? Perhaps top prospect Parker Lee can make a splash and be a vital contributor as a rookie.
A late collapse caused the Dinos to miss the playoffs - the only miss by the Metrics last year - but the math says that they won't miss out this season. They may be the most balanced team in the league, and with a roster filled with guys who won back-to-back championships, it wouldn't surprise the Metrics to see them back in the Brew in 2051.
The 6 teams are all in the IL, as it appears that DL isn't trying this season. Seattle went all the way to the ILCS last season and added Adrian Gramling and Colby Hullinger from the Bats, so the Metrics editorial team believes these two teams should flip positions, but the numbers are what they are. If the pitching staff can repeat last season's performance, this team will go a long way.
Baltimore still has the best starting rotation in the league, and may have found yet another ace in the time it's taken to write this. The lineup doesn't need to do much with this pitching, but the Bulldogs will go as far as McKelvey, Encinia, Peter and co. take them.
The Kodiaks hold down the final IL playoff spot. They've invested heavily in their lineup (and needed to), but now face questions about their ability to prevent run, particularly since Ray Perkins has gone down for the season.
Finally, the DL appears! Pawtucket appears to be the class of the league yet again this season, looking to repeat as pennant winner. They look to have the most balanced team in the DL, a recent history of great success, and show little signs of slowing down in 2051.
Toronto may be underrated here - they've made the most recent splashes in free agency that might not yet be fully accounted for. They've also got the best player in the league on their side in Dane Jennings.
It seems like Pittsburgh loses players to free agency every year - they lose double play combo Staelens and Romero this offseason - but always find suitable replacements. With a rotation led by Blume and Gomez, that won't change this time.
Hartford is a team on the rise, and look to be a good bet for a repeat playoff appearance. Their continued ascent will be reliant on some top prospects, but if guys like Tim Stover and Sage Emerson are the real deal, they could be a tough team to beat.
Dallas and New Orleans round out the playoff teams according to the Metrics, meaning that the numbers are picking the same playoff teams that they picked last season. Consistent results must mean that the formula is a good one, right? The Drillers will pin their hopes on a high-quality pitching staff, led by emerging star Blake Visco - scouts rave about the former 7th rounder. The Voodoo lost an ace in Martin Hoffman, but still Elvis Wright and Dawson Lamb, but the lineup (led by Ahkello Rodriguez) will need to step up to keep this team in contention.
New York beat out the Dinos for the final spot in the playoffs last season, and would be knocking on the door in the DL based on the numbers. If the lineup anchored by Melchior Werth can put up enough runs to get the game to Dave Duncan, they may just find themselves back in the postseason.
Syracuse spent a bunch in free agency and may be the most improved team in the league - they could go from worst to the playoffs if they manage to catch a break or two.
Under new management, both Indianapolis and Philadelphia find themselves just outside the playoff picture. But, if the unconventional roster moves play unexpected dividends, maybe one of them can surprise.
The bottom 4. There's not much to say about this group, according to the numbers. Wait until 2052?
It was a busy offseason in the BLB, with plenty of top players changing teams in free agency. But, was it enough to shift the balance of power in the league?
Without any further introduction, and without any explanation of methods, here are the Metrics as they stand near the beginning of the 2051 Season.
| Rank | Team | Metric Rating |
| 1 | Miami Sharks | 85.3 |
| 2 | Washington Bats | 85.0 |
| 3 | Los Angeles Dinos | 82.7 |
The Bats won 106 games last year and appear to be right on Sharks heels (fin?). Washington has new addition Rayburn Michel to help anchor the rotation alongside Reid Rothstein, and the Metrics rave about the Bats bullpen. But, they lost most of their power from their lineup, so who is going to drive in runs for this team? Perhaps top prospect Parker Lee can make a splash and be a vital contributor as a rookie.
A late collapse caused the Dinos to miss the playoffs - the only miss by the Metrics last year - but the math says that they won't miss out this season. They may be the most balanced team in the league, and with a roster filled with guys who won back-to-back championships, it wouldn't surprise the Metrics to see them back in the Brew in 2051.
| 4 | Seattle Pilots | 75.7 |
| 5 | Baltimore Bulldogs | 74.6 |
| 6 | California Kodiaks | 74.1 |
Baltimore still has the best starting rotation in the league, and may have found yet another ace in the time it's taken to write this. The lineup doesn't need to do much with this pitching, but the Bulldogs will go as far as McKelvey, Encinia, Peter and co. take them.
The Kodiaks hold down the final IL playoff spot. They've invested heavily in their lineup (and needed to), but now face questions about their ability to prevent run, particularly since Ray Perkins has gone down for the season.
| 7 | Pawtucket Patriots | 71.8 |
| 8 | Toronto Canadians | 68.9 |
| 9 | Pittsburgh Millers | 63.5 |
| 10 | Hartford Whalers | 59.7 |
| 11 | Dallas Drillers | 57.7 |
| 12 | New Orleans Voodoo | 56.0 |
Toronto may be underrated here - they've made the most recent splashes in free agency that might not yet be fully accounted for. They've also got the best player in the league on their side in Dane Jennings.
It seems like Pittsburgh loses players to free agency every year - they lose double play combo Staelens and Romero this offseason - but always find suitable replacements. With a rotation led by Blume and Gomez, that won't change this time.
Hartford is a team on the rise, and look to be a good bet for a repeat playoff appearance. Their continued ascent will be reliant on some top prospects, but if guys like Tim Stover and Sage Emerson are the real deal, they could be a tough team to beat.
Dallas and New Orleans round out the playoff teams according to the Metrics, meaning that the numbers are picking the same playoff teams that they picked last season. Consistent results must mean that the formula is a good one, right? The Drillers will pin their hopes on a high-quality pitching staff, led by emerging star Blake Visco - scouts rave about the former 7th rounder. The Voodoo lost an ace in Martin Hoffman, but still Elvis Wright and Dawson Lamb, but the lineup (led by Ahkello Rodriguez) will need to step up to keep this team in contention.
| 13 | New York Cyclones | 54.1 |
| 14 | Indianapolis Racers | 46.9 |
| 15 | Syracuse Snappers | 42.7 |
| 16 | Santo Domingo Rum Runners | 31.9 |
| 17 | Wilmington Clowns | 30.0 |
| 18 | Windy City Blues | 29.4 |
| 19 | Philadelphia Freedom | 28.6 |
| 20 | Maine Guides | 28.5 |
Syracuse spent a bunch in free agency and may be the most improved team in the league - they could go from worst to the playoffs if they manage to catch a break or two.
Under new management, both Indianapolis and Philadelphia find themselves just outside the playoff picture. But, if the unconventional roster moves play unexpected dividends, maybe one of them can surprise.
| 21 | Carolina Tobs | 13.0 |
| 22 | Montreal Exports | 12.5 |
| 23 | Phoenix Roadrunners | 9.7 |
| 24 | Denver Bulls | 8.7 |
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