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07/21/2059
Those pesky Bats...they're just so darn good. It's not often you are first in the Power Rankings, yet eight games back in your own division. We suppose when you're the greatest franchise in the history of the league you get certain benefits. With the short All-Star week they swept the best team in baseball (Bulldogs) while outscoring them by 13 runs. They are now 10 games over .500 after hovering near the even mark all season long. Looks like the run is finally happening. Exciting news for Bats fans, not exciting news for everyone else. Meanwhile the other sweep weeks belonged to Batavia and Pawtucket, who took down Carolina and Indy respectively. If the Muckdogs were in the Domestic their 43-50 record would be in the playoffs, but alas they are still 5.5 back in the Import. Meanwhile the 42-52 Patriots are just one game back from the final Wildcard spot.
Power Rankings
1) Washington Bats (112.6, ++)
2) Seattle Pilots (112.0, o)
3) Pittsburgh Millers (107.5, +)
4) Montreal Exports (107.4, ++)
5) New York Cyclones (107.3, --)
6) Baltimore Bulldogs (105.4, --)
7) California Kodiaks (104.5, -)
8) Toronto Canadians (102.2, -)
9) Wilmington Wildcats (101.2, -)
10) Phoenix Roadrunners (98.8, o)
11) Hartford Whalers (88.3, ++)
12) Los Angeles Dinos (88.2, -)
13) Pawtucket Patriots (87.4, ++)
14) Batavia Muckdogs (87.2, ++)
15) Syracuse Snappers (87.0, -)
16) Maine Guides (80.5, --)
17) New Orleans Voodoo (80.3, +)
18) Carolina Tobs (78.0, --)
19) Windy City Blues (75.3, --)
20) Dallas Drillers (73.7, +)
21) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (71.3, +)
22) Philadelphia Freedom (70.9, +)
23) Denver Bulls (66.1, +)
24) Indianapolis Clowns (63.6, --)
Performance of the Week
P Hayden 'Jailhouse' Watkins - He was 4-7 with a 6.58 ERA at the beginning of the month, but Watkins has had three electric starts in a row. In fact his latest, on July 16th against New York, is now the #1 pitching performance of the season. In a complete game shut-out he allowed just two hits, walked two, and struck out 14 opposing batters as Philly won 7-0. The former first round pick of 2046 is now 6-7 with a 5.23 ERA in 18 starts this season.
Prospect of the Week
SS Brad Castro - The 5th overall pick of the 2057 draft is only 19 years old but already playing in AAA. He's a DWI level short stop, who can also hold his weight, and then some, behind the plate. So far in 71 games he's hitting .275 with 3 HR, 31 RBI, and 12 SB. He was just named to the Futures Game, and is currently the 17th overall prospect in the league.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. As mentioned briefly above, the Domestic Wildcard race is just...well wild. Dallas and Santo Domingo are currently 39-55 and 38-54, and just only four games out of the final playoff spot. Their postseason odds aren't great, at a little over 3% each, but still. Currently the fourth place Wildcard team is a three-way tie between Maine, Hartford, and New Orleans. They are 44-52, 43-51, and 43-51. Is this the year a 76 win Dallas team makes it into the playoffs and goes all the way? Meanwhile in the Import poor Philly is 36-58 and are 24 games back in their division and 13 games out of a Wildcard spot. It's a good year to be in the Domestic.
2. Fun fact, Phoenix and New York are the only teams with winning records who have a negative team zone rating. The Roadrunners come in at -6.10, while the Cyclones are at -6.66. The league average is +7.37, with Washington holding the top spot at +22.65 and Philly bringing up the rear at -44.89. When it comes to individuals, California shortstop Caron Wilson is first at +16.8, while Philly shortstop Phillip Cox is last at -15.2. Since ZR has been getting calculated, Wilson is second all-time only to Maine Hall of Fame outfielder Steve Suarez. The fan favorite is 39 years old, and hitting just .188 this season, but his glove is second to none. There are whispers this is his final year, but if he stays healthy and plays one more season the record should be his.
3. Record watch as we're past the All-Star game and it appears Charlie 'Mailman' Jones of Syracuse is still on pace to break the league triples record. He currently has 15, and is projected to reach 26 on the season. That would break the record of 22 held by several players, most recently Chase 'Havoc' Calhoun who did it last season. Other records that have an outside shot. Brad 'Scooter' Pendolino is on pace for 68 doubles (record is 75), Connor Cook is on pace for 26 wins (record is 28), and Jaeden Winstead (SDR) and Noel Matthews (PHI) are on pace for 21 losses (record is 23).
4. Toronto is now only 1.5 games out of the Lager division lead while holding down the top spot in the Wildcard race. What will happen when Chase 'Havoc' Calhoun finally breaks out of his sophomore slump. The 2058 Stout Slugger, New Brew, Designated Driver, and All-Star is hitting .266 and is on pace for a 2.6 WAR, after posting a 10.6 WAR last season. He still leads the league with 52 stolen bases, but he's dropped all the way to 15th on the OSA's Top Player list. Good thing for the Canadians that the now #1 player is their own Brian Wheat. The first overall pick from 2056 is projected to put up a leagues best +8.4 WAR in just his second season. He's hitting .331 with 20 HR, 70 RBI, 21 SB, while posting a +5.0 ZR in center field.
5. What's on tap? The top draw this week should be Washington at California. The Kodiaks are 5-3 against the Bats this season, as this is the final time they will meet this regular season. In the post season the Bats hold a 20-7 edge, but the last time they met was 2054. It's hard to believe that when the Bats swept the Kodiaks in the postseason three straight times (2040, 2044, and 2045) that it was over 15 years ago! Where does the time go? All we are is dust in the wind...sorry let's get back on track. This season both teams have near identical records and are separated in the Wildcard by only a game. Neither are overly impressive stat wise, with California being 11th in the Import in batting average and sixth in runs scored. Meanwhile the Bats are first in home runs, but middle of the road in everything else. Streak wise Carolina has lost six straight, Pawtucket and Washington have won five straight, Indy has last four straight, Dalton Brown (DEN) has an RBI in seven straight games, Cedric Erickson (NYC) has won eight straight decisions, and Stephen Gibbs (BAL) hasn't lost in 11 straight starts.
Stat of the Week
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| Largest Single Season Increase In Home Runs (Top 25 Players, Maximum 100% Increase In Games Played) |
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