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05/04/2054
The Bats are back (to back) with a 6-1 week to give them control of the Stout. They now sit at 18-9 and have a 3.5 game lead over Carolina. The other top weeks were Seattle and New Orleans who each went 5-1. The Pilots now only trail the Kodiaks by a half game, while New Orleans is starting to rise from the dead. On the flip side Phoenix, Montreal, Carolina and Toronto all went 1-5. Don't fret yet though fans, with the flip of the calendar though you never know what's in store in the BLB.
Power Ranking
1) California Kodiaks (138.5, o)
2) Seattle Pilots (137.6, o)
3) Washington Bats (129.0, ++)
4) Pittsburgh Millers (120.2, +)
5) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (116.2, -)
6) Denver Bulls (107.7, -)
7) Wilmington Wildcats (107.7, +)
8) Hartford Whalers (105.8, ++)
9) Dallas Drillers (103.0, o)
10) Windy City Blues (102.8, ++)
11) Syracuse Snappers (93.9, o)
12) Indianapolis Clowns (92.3, o)
13) Los Angeles Dinos (92.3, --)
14) Pawtucket Patriots (91.0, ++)
15) Carolina Tobs (90.9, --)
16) Baltimore Bulldogs (73.2, o)
17) New Orleans Voodoo (72.2, ++)
18) Montreal Exports (66.2, --)
19) Philadelphia Freedom (58.8, +)
20) Maine Guides (57.0, ++)
21) Toronto Canadians (52.6, --)
22) Phoenix Roadrunners (52.4, --)
23) New York Cyclones (50.6, --)
24) Batavia Muckdogs (50.3, o)
Performance of the Week
P Benjamin Racek - In the new age of gunslingers Racek checks all the boxes. Impressive stuff, devastating slider and cutter, and throws up to 101 mph. Not bad for a 24 year old that was a second round pick in 2050. This past week on April 27th against SDR he smoked the Rum Runners with a 7 inning, 0 run, 0 walk, and 14 K performance. Then he leaves the game, SDR scores six runs in the 9th inning, and Racek gets a no decision while Dallas takes the L.
Prospect of the Week
SS Max Johnson - His coaches think he will someday be the 'Captain' of a team as his leadership and loyalty to his teammates are off the charts. It goes well with his range at shortstop since that is just as impressive, while his bat isn't exactly a weak link either. This season he's hitting .304/.432/.577 with 11 HR and 25 RBI while posting a +4.0 ZR at shortstop.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. The third overall prospect in the league made his debut this past week as the Roadrunners sent 20 year old Louis Berry out against Baltimore. Drafted 6th overall in 2051 the Phoenix fans were excited to see what their young gunslinger could do. In the first inning he walked two, but also struck out two, and got out of the inning unscathed. In the second inning he gave up two singles before Lance Flynn jacked a three run home run. Berry calmed down and struck out Vin Edwards before getting James Hylton to fly out to end the inning. Unfortunately for Berry things only got worse in the third. After giving up a lead off home run he went walk, walk, single, and single before being pulled. The Bulldogs ended up scoring seven runs that inning, beating Phoenix 14-11, and Berry is now 0-1 with a 36.00 ERA. It can only get better though.
2. In the record watch Pat 'Melody' Nunes is now only 13 hits away from tying Steve Suarez all-time record of 3546. The 45 year old is hitting .186 with 2 HR and 7 RBI in 16 games played this season. He's definitely not sprinting over the finish line on this one, but breaking the 30 year old record Suarez set in 2024 is still a feat many thought they would never see. Since turning 40, Nunes has racked up 763 hits while batting an amazing .303 with 139 HRs and 448 RBIs. For his career he is second all-time in hits, second all-time in home runs, fifth in RBIs, sixth in doubles, and ninth in runs scored.
3. It's the same old song when it comes to defense as LAD leads the league with a +10.40 ZR, while California is third at +7.05. We have a new contestant in the game though as the Wilmington Wildcats check in at second with a +8.33 ZR. Relying on shortstop Vance Thompson, who single handily has a +5.2 ZR, the Wildcats are 16-11 and in second place in the Lager. Last season Thompson was playing for Batavia...on their AA team. He was a first round pick by the Red Jackets back in 2048 but never panned out into the player they thought he would be. Last season Wilmington traded for him and immediately promoted him to their BLB club. The 26 year old is hitting .188 with 0 HR and 3 RBI, but it looks like he's found a home thanks to his defense.
4. Paycen Bemis had a month to write home about after finishing April by going 5-0 with a 1.42 ERA in five starts. The 33 year old signed a five year contract with the Pilots after spending his entire career with Pawtucket. From 2049 to 2052 he went 51-23 while being named a 3x All-Star and leading Pawtucket to the '51 Brewmasters title. In 2053 though he was 9-11 with a 4.06 ERA and the Patriots allowed him to walk out the door. One teams loss is another teams gain.
5. What's on tap? It's the week of the 1-2 match-ups. First we have Wilmington at Santo Domingo, while Pittsburgh travels to Hartford. Then the last part of the week features Washington at Seattle. All though the last series might be a one and two from different divisions, it will be the first time they have met since last years ILCS. In that one Seattle had a 3-1 lead before the Bats won 4-1, 3-2, and 8-2 to complete the shocking comeback. The Seattle revenge tour starts now.
Stat of the Week
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| Most Seasons Appeared In (Top 25 Players) |
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