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6/10/2052
How 'bout them Guides! Considered by many the second greatest franchise in league history (hello to the Bats), Maine once against sits atop the Power Rankings after a 5-2 week. They also now once again lead the Ale by half a game over Pawtucket. The winner of the week though was the New York Cyclones who went 6-1, moved to a game over .500, and are fourth in the Stout. Other nice weeks were Dallas (5-1), and Philly, Washington, and Pawtucket (5-2). On the flip side poor Montreal went 1-6 as they had to endure a four game sweep from Maine. They are now 27-33 on the season, but still in third place in the Lager.
Power Rankings
1) Maine Guides (119.7, +)
2) Philadelphia Freedom (116.7, o)
3) Washington Bats (115.9, -)
4) Pawtucket Patriots (111.8, +)
5) Batavia Muckdogs (101.7, -)
6) Denver Bulls (97.7, -)
7) Dallas Drillers (95.7, ++)
8) Seattle Pilots (95.7, ++)
9) New Orleans Voodoo (95.6, -)
10) Indianapolis Clowns (94.5, -)
11) Pittsburgh Millers (94.0, ++)
12) New York Cyclones (92.5, ++)
13) Syracuse Snappers (92.1, --)
14) Hartford Whalers (89.4, ++)
15) California Kodiaks (87.4, --)
16) Baltimore Bulldogs (81.0, o)
17) Los Angeles Dinos (81.0, -)
18) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (80.3, --)
19) Phoenix Roadrunners (76.3, --)
20) Wilmington Wildcats (75.3, o)
21) Windy City Blues (74.2, +)
22) Montreal Exports (71.0, --)
23) Toronto Canadians (64.2, -)
24) Carolina Tobs (56.9, o)
Performance of the Week
P Brendan Linnett - The 30 year old went undrafted years ago out of high school but was signed by the Bulls to a minor league contract in 2039. He went to three minor league All-Star games before being called up in 2047, and he's started for Denver ever since. This past week against Baltimore he used his nearly unhittable fastball and knucklecurve to allow one hit and strike out 15 over seven innings of work, as Denver won 2-0. Linnett is known as the 'Captain' of the team, and is making just $858k this season.
Prospect of the Week
Thomas Sverma - Discovered out of Slovakia in 2050 by Syracuse he's become the 61st overall ranked prospect in the league. After starting out rough in the Rookie League last season by going 0-3 with a 6.49 ERA, he's really turned it up this season. In 10 starts, Sverma is now 0-10 with an 8.22 ERA and is really angry. We don't know Slovak but if we did we would tell him "it can only get better!"
Five Things We Think We Think
1. Is this the end for Nicholas 'Stinger' Hubscher. The 35 year old had to leave the game on June 7th and was later diagnosed with a torn meniscus. Usually a quick surgery and rehab, the team has estimated he will be out at least six months...which makes us wonder if there was more damage than disclosed. 'Stinger' was 1-5 on the season with a 5.53 ERA in 12 starts, so it's not a huge loss for the Guides, but it's still unfortunate. Drafted 1.2 in 2037 by the Denver BC he was traded to Philly in 2038. Since then he's played for Santo Domingo and Baltimore before signing with Maine. Over the course of 13 seasons he's been consistently above average and has composed a 118-105 record with a career 3.79 ERA and 108 ERA+. He was also selected to two All-Star games.
2. The BLB 2052 draft is this week, with Carolina once again having the top pick. With already the top system in the league, and a probable #1 pick next season, they are building a juggernaut. The Tobs last won a title in 2037, and went to the playoffs in 2038, and by the late 2050's they might be clearing space to hang some banners again. Word on the street is that they are going with hard throwing Marc 'Mole' Dillard out of Notre Dame HS. Dillard, who is in fact related to the Baltimore GM, can hit 101 mph, throws four pitches, and has the stamina to go all game. He's also known for his great work ethic. Those Tobs are going to be tough.
3. In our quest for the first 50/50 club member it appears that Zeke Lebron has slowed down. He's now on pace for 'only' 47 HR and 102 SB, which for you non-math majors will be three home runs short. In the month of May he hit a paltry .224 with 8 HR and 22 SB, and all though he's hitting .280 in June he has only smacked one home run. Come on Zeke. How many other players are on pace for even the 40/40 club...well none. That is how far ahead of the pack Lebron is.
4. Famed baseball analytic expert 'Dr. Mushroom' would be proud of the Los Angeles Dinos as they lead the league with a +26.55 team zone rating. They are in the positive at every single fielding position across the board, and are the only team in the league to do so. The Maine Guides, who made defense a priority before analytics told them to do so, are second with a +18.37, while perennial defensive loving California is third at +18.24.
5. What's on tap? We are back to interleague and we get a real treat this week as Maine travels to Denver for a three-game series starting on June 13th. Both are first in their respective divisions and are holding on to it the best they can. Over the past three seasons Maine is 7-2 against the Bulls, and this year features a solid pitching staff supported by a top notch defense. Denver meanwhile has the plan to just out-slug you. They are first in the Import in average, on-base percentage, hits and extra base hits, and second in OBS and runs scored. Meanwhile they are near the bottom in every pitching category. The old offense vs defense debate. Streak wise Aubrey 'Gypsy' Albano (SYR) has hit safely in 17 straight games, and Kyle 'Salesman' Olmsted (NYC) has scored in nine straight games.
Stat of the Week
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| Most Stolen Bases in Debut Season (Top 25 Players, Inaugural Season Ignored) |
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