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08/08/2061
It was a rare week in the BLB as no team won more than four games during the battle of the leagues, or interleague as they call it. This time the Domestic came out on top, as they were 19-17 against the Import. Some team leaders since everyone played six: Dallas scored 40 runs (Den 12), Toronto swiped 12 bases (LAD 1), Indy hit .324 at the plate (Mai .173), Maine only allowed 14 runs (Car 37) while holding opponents to a .193 average (Bat .308).
Power Rankings
1) Baltimore Bulldogs (114.7, +)
2) Washington Bats (110.9, +)
3) New York Cyclones (109.5, +)
4) Phoenix Roadrunners (108.7, ++)
5) Maine Guides (107.5, --)
6) California Kodiaks (106.8, o)
7) Montreal Exports (106.1, --)
8) Windy City Blues (101.3, +)
9) Pawtucket Patriots (98.9, -)
10) New Orleans Voodoo (96.7, +)
11) Wilmington Wildcats (96.2, o)
12) Seattle Pilots (93.1, --)
13) Syracuse Snappers (92.1, +)
14) Indianapolis Clowns (91.4, +)
15) Dallas Drillers (89.8, -)
16) Toronto Canadians (87.4, +)
17) Denver Bulls (81.4, -)
18) Pittsburgh Millers (81.4, +)
19) Batavia Muckdogs (76.8, ++)
20) Los Angeles Dinos (75.2, --)
21) Carolina Tobs (64.7, -)
22) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (64.1, -)
23) Philadelphia Freedom (54.3, o)
24) Hartford Whalers (53.9, o)
Performance of the Week
CF Damon Bartone - The scouting discovery out of Ireland made the Bats 26 man roster this season for the first time, but has played sparingly against mostly lefties. This past week against New Orleans he had a game for the ages when he smashed three home runs, drove in eight, and scored three times in a 16-2 beat down of the Voodoo. He hit his first major league home run at the end of June, his second at the end of July, then decided to smash three in one day. He's a natural in left field, and scouts believe he can contribute "modest production" once he fully develops.
Prospect of the Week
P Max Kidd - The 19 year old is eligible for next years draft and could be a top five pick, as it appears the young pitchers coming up in the draft are starting to catch up with the hitters. Last season for UNC over 10 starts he was 8-0 with a 2.31 ERA and 203 ERA+, and he's now 15-3 with a 2.03 ERA over his college career. Coaches love his work ethic, and scouts say he has the potential to be an ace.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. Congrats to Roadrunner first basemen Dwight Bell for hitting his 300th career home run yesterday against Syracuse. Drafted third overall in 2045 by California, he made it to the Kodiaks roster by 2050 and was named an All-Star in 2052, 2053, and 2056. In 11 full seasons he's hit 20 or more home runs ten times, and hit a career high 39 in 2055. He was traded to Phoenix in 2057 and has been very consistent, putting up a 2.2, 3.0, 2.6, and now 2.4 WAR. Teammates love him as he's quick to always pay the bill, as he's made just over $139,000,000 total in his career.
2. Teddy Burch played in five games last week and hit .476 while stealing seven bases. At just 22 years old he's the best player in the league, on a team filled with young talent, who also happens to be the defending champions. On the season Burch is hitting .304/.403/.518 with 10 HR, 49 RBI, and 45 stolen bases, all while putting up a +5.4 ZR in center field. His 6.6 WAR is 1.4 points higher than second place, and he's on pace to finish with a 9.4 WAR. Not bad for being the third pick in the draft. To be fair though 1.1 Brian Wheat, and 1.2 Wade 'Bulldozer' Cummins aren't too bad either, with Wheat being another star. Unfortunately Cummins made his BLB debut at 18 and has never really recovered. After last years disastrous -2.2 WAR, he's predicted to get to +1.6 this season, which is a step in the right direction. At only 22 years old he still has lots of time to turn it around, and coaches believe he has the work ethic to do so.
3. Another three home run day was had last week by New Orleans outfielder Andy Bernard. Drafted 15th overall in 2056 he played in 34 BLB games last season, but started this year in AAA. He was called up May 21st and so far has played in 29 games this season, where he had five home runs and 12 RBI until August 2nd against Carolina. In that game he smashed a 3-run home run in the 3rd, a solo shot in the 4th, and another 3-run home run in the 8th. He's one of seven Voodoo batters that are 25 or younger as this team looks like it's set to compete for the rest of this decade. Currently second in the Lager at 60-54, the fan base sure has a lot to be excited for.
4. Playoff update...six teams in the Domestic (Paw, NO, Syr, Wil, Tor, Dal) are within 4.5 games...for four spots. Three teams in the Import (Cal, WC, Sea) are within three games...for two spots. Pittsburgh and Denver are both 53-60, but the Millers are now 5.5 back while the Bulls are 7.5 back. The hardest remaining schedule is still Denver at .527 (Ind .475), Maine has the best PYT at +9 (LAD -7), New York has the highest odds to finish with the best record in the league (34.6%), while Hartford now has a 71.5% chance of getting the first overall pick of the 2062 draft.
5. What's on tap? The Wild Card shuffle continues as Dallas heads to Toronto then hosts Syracuse, Maine is at home against Wilmington then travels to Syracuse, Windy City welcomes in the Roadrunners, and the Wildcats open the week against the Exports. Streak wise Indy has won four in a row, Philly has lost five in a row, Bryant Francis (IND) has a 13 game hitting streak, and Chad 'Fury' Flanigan hasn't lost in 11 straight starts.
Stat of the Week
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| More Wins Than Walks (Top 25 Players) |
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