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08/30/2060
The division leaders are pulling away as Montreal goes 6-1, Syracuse goes 5-1, and Baltimore goes 5-2. Seattle tried to gain some distance by also going 5-2, but Phoenix matched them by taking one of three from Windy City, then sweeping the mighty Bats! On the other side of life Pittsburgh went 1-6 to end their playoff hopes, while Wilmington went 1-5 to fall one game behind Dallas for the final Wildcard spot. Some team leaders: Phoenix scored 53 runs (WIL 14), Phoenix hit 11 home runs, Philly and Toronto swiped 18 bases, Syracuse allowed just 15 runs (Windy City 50), and Syracuse walked only two batters (next closest 11; CAR 34).
Power Rankings
1) Seattle Pilots (122.3, o)
2) Phoenix Roadrunners (121.0, +)
3) Montreal Exports (113.9, +)
4) Syracuse Snappers (113.4, -)
5) Baltimore Bulldogs (112.0, -)
6) Toronto Canadians (97.1, o)
7) Maine Guides (95.4, +)
8) New York Cyclones (94.2, -)
9) Los Angeles Dinos (94.0, ++)
10) Dallas Drillers (91.7, +)
11) New Orleans Voodoo (91.0, o)
12) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (88.0, ++)
13) Washington Bats (87.7, +)
14) Wilmington Wildcats (86.3, --)
15) Denver Bulls (86.3, +)
16) Pawtucket Patriots (84.2, +)
17) Indianapolis Clowns (80.2, o)
18) Windy City Blues (78.8, --)
19) Hartford Whalers (72.8, ++)
20) Carolina Tobs (71.6, +)
21) Pittsburgh Millers (71.6, --)
22) Philadelphia Freedom (71.2, -)
23) California Kodiaks (69.7, --)
24) Batavia Muckdogs (63.8, o)
Performance of the Week
P JaQuan Wamugunda - It didn't make the Top Performances of the season, but on August 26th over eight innings he struck out 16 opposing Clowns. Wamugunda also gave up four runs, but left the game in the 9th with Toronto holding a 6-4 lead. Closer Jordan Stephens then got rocked with a two-out, three-run home run and Wamugunda got a no decision. On the season he's 13-7 with a 4.19 ERA, which wouldn't be too bad if he wasn't making $35,000,000 this season. After the game Wamugunda was so upset he was seen blowing his nose with $100 bills.
Prospect of the Week
C Garett Thomas - In 28 games last season he hit .400/.494/.771 with 6 HR, and 28 RBI while making the NCAA All-Star team and helping FSU win the College World Series. Scouts think he has plus-plus power potential and the ability to be an 'impact big league catcher.' He is projected to be a late first or early second round pick in next years draft for an organization looking for some power behind the plate.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. With roster expansion and September around the corner the playoffs are slowly becoming a bit less fuzzy. In the Domestic it appears Syracuse and Maine from the Ale will go, while the entire Lager is still in the hunt. Montreal is at 100% and Toronto is at 92%, but the final two spots of now appears to come down to New Orleans, Dallas, Wilmington, or Santo Domingo. The Wildcats have the hardest remaining SOS in the entire league, New Orleans plays an amazing 22 of their last 28 on the road, while Dallas meanwhile has 20 out of 29 at home. In the Import it still appears to be a two team race between Washington and Denver for the final spot. Washington has a 73% chance according to Stats+, while Denver has a ridiculous -9 PYT and 20 of 29 remaining games on the road. It's going to be a long hill for the Bulls to climb.
2. From the start of the season no ones had a better ELO than Phoenix, who has gained 68.8 points. Syracuse is second at 61.5, while Seattle is third at 53.8. Considering the Preseason Predictions had the Roadrunners (85-48) finishing 86-76, and Syracuse (78-54) at 74-88 they've had surprising seasons to say the least. Those same predictions also had California at 95-67 and winning the Bock. The Kodiaks are now 53-80 and have an ELO of -48.2 since the season started. Last years Stout Slugger winner, outfielder Stan Sikes, is partially to blame. This year he's hitting .223 with 26 HR and 71 RBI while putting up a 0.7 WAR. Last season he hit .296 with 40 HR and 115 RBI while putting up a 6.1 WAR. Sources close to him say he's furious with the team, and especially with the disruptive influences in the clubhouse. One of those is 23 year old Hayden Cornett, who Sikes has gotten into arguments with during games more than once. Looks like California will be busy this off-season trying to get things back in order to prevent another meltdown in 2061.
3. The minor leagues have one week left before the postseason starts. The top record in each league is: AAA Allentown A's (PIT) at 73-41, AA Tuscaloosa Yellowhammers (NO) at 80-34, A Eugen Sting (WAS) at 77-37, and the Rookie League Boise Bluegills (WC) at 86-28. We look forward to watching the future stars of the BLB compete in the upcoming postseason. Wildcard series will be announced on Sunday, September 5th.
4. Dez Swanson is still going strong at the ripe old age of 36. This season he's hitting .311 with 15 HR and 75 while starting 116 games at first base. He's also currently in the midst of knocking in at least one run in nine straight games. Drafted in the first round by Wilmington in 2044 he's played for the Clowns, Drillers, Guides, and now Voodoo over his career. He has been named to five All-Star teams and won three DWI's at first. Born in Los Angeles in 2023, he played just two years at Florida State before getting drafted. Lifetime he's a .316/.386/.491 hitter with 188 HR, 924 RBI, 64 SB, and a 134 OPS+. Swanson has a player option next season for $13.6 million, and has made over $140,000,000 during his 13 year career to date.
5. What's on tap? This week is the final interleague match-up of the season before the Brewmasters Cup. In the 1v1 series of the week it's Baltimore at Syracuse. We also get to see New York travel to Maine, Washington head to Toronto, and Seattle fly into Wilmington. Streak wise Justin Castiglioni (BAL) and Sean Catron (SYR) have 15 game hitting streaks, while Maine rookie sensation closer Mitch Colwell has won eight straight (to go along with two Rookie of the Month awards and 25 saves).
Stat of the Week
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