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05/13/2052
Pawtucket retakes the top spot in the Power Rankings with a 6-1 week that now gives them a two-game lead in the red hot Ale. Other big weeks were had by Seattle and Batavia, who each went 6-1, and righted the ship. The Pilots are now 16-17 and in second place in the Bock, while Batavia is 20-13 and only half a game back from Philly in the Stout. Not so good weeks were Montreal and California who each went 1-6. The Exports were above .500 but no more, while the Kodiaks are now 6.5 games back from Denver.
Power Rankings
1) Pawtucket Patriots (130.1, ++)
2) Batavia Muckdogs (120.1, ++)
3) Philadelphia Freedom (117.5, -)
4) Indianapolis Clowns (113.6, ++)
5) New Orleans Voodoo (110.1, --)
6) Washington Bats (107.9, --)
7) Pittsburgh Millers (106.9, o)
8) Denver Bulls (106.9, --)
9) Maine Guides (104.2, +)
10) Dallas Drillers (100.2, ++)
11) Baltimore Bulldogs (98.3, +)
12) New York Cyclones (95.0, ++)
13) Seattle Pilots (94.3, ++)
14) Syracuse Snappers (91.6, --)
15) Los Angeles Dinos (76.4, -)
16) Wilmington Wildcats (74.1, ++)
17) Hartford Whalers (73.1, ++)
18) Montreal Exports (71.4, --)
19) Windy City Blues (71.4, --)
20) Toronto Canadians (67.4, -)
21) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (65.1, --)
22) California Kodiaks (63.9, --)
23) Phoenix Roadrunners (57.5, -)
24) Carolina Tobs (43.6, o)
Performance of the Week
SS Owen Batten - The 6'7 'unicorn' is a whiz at shortstop but isn't known for much behind the plate. On May 11th though against Santo Domingo he had quite the game on offense. In four at bats he had three hits, one home run, drove in seven, and scored three times in an 11-5 victory. It was good enough for the second best hitting performance of the season.
Prospect of the Week
P Hayden 'Jailhouse' Watkins - The question around Philly is "when is Watkins coming up?" Currently in AAA the 23 year old is 1-2 with a 1.77 ERA and 0.76 WHIP in five starts. Drafted 12th overall in 2046 scouts and coaches alike love his fastball and slider, and when he hits 101 on the gun he's almost unhittable. Throw in his work ethic and intelligence which are both thought very highly of, and 'Jailhouse' could be a star.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. Pat 'Melody' Nunes was back to his old tricks this week when he was suspended by the office of the commish after being ejected for arguing a call on May 7th against Batavia. Believe it or not, this is the first time in his career that Nunes was ejected from a game and later suspended. Known for being a hothead that doesn't play well with others, he's been given a long leash in all his previous run-ins. On the season the 43 year old is hitting .310/.373/.610 with 6 HR and 20 RBI in 25 games.
2. Another 'unicorn' is Batavia's 6'10 Zeke Lebron, who swiped eight bases this past week. The 26 year old former 1st round pick is now 23 of 25 on the season when he's gotten the green light to run. We said a few weeks ago this year might be his coming out party, and he's not let us down. Currently he's hitting .298/.348/.645 and is on pace to smash 59 HR and steal 113 bases. Who would have thought the 50/50 club could ever be in reach?
3. There is a reason Charlie Guevin is considered one of, if not the best closer in baseball. The 32 year old not only combines a devastating fastball with a curveball, but he's a fan favorite for his work ethic and loyalty to his teammates. This past week he pitched in four games, one inning each. Over those four innings he allowed no runs, four hits, struck out eight, and walked one. He also picked up all four saves to move him to 1-1 with 9 saves and a 2.25 ERA on the season. The only bad thing is that news out of Pawtucket stated that Guevin is currently experiencing 'flu-like symptoms', so we wish him a speedy recovery.
4. Washington's Parker Lee now has 14 HR and 41 RBI on the season, and leads the entire league in both categories. Lee has 12 more RBI than second place, and is on pace for 195. The record is 165, set by Turrell 'Two-Ton' Morris in 2030, the same season he smashed a still league record 69 home runs. Lee is not even 22 years old, and is only in his second full season in the BLB. Not bad for the 35th overall pick of the 2048 draft.
5. What's on tap? How about some interleague fun. The week kicks off with Dallas at Denver, then ends with Philly at Pawtucket. Three of those teams are first place in their division, as the Drillers are just the lone wolf as they sit only two games behind New Orleans in Lager. Streak wise the Exports have lost six in a row, Batavia has won five in a row, Seth Floyd (Den) has a 19 game hitting streak, and Judean Dang (Car) is 0-4 with an 11.40 ERA in his last four starts.
Stat of the Week
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