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09/25/2062
The Millers had the best record this past week when they went 5-1 against Pawtucket and New Orleans to move to 76-76 on the season. After going 0-6 to start the month, the Millers have won 15 of the last 16 games to get back into the Wild Card hunt as they have a 2.5 game lead over Maine and SDR and sit in the final playoff spot. Next up was Wilmington who went 5-2. The Wildcats have secured their postseason adventures already, but they have almost caught the Exports for the Lager lead. After going +13 since the start of August they only trail the Exports by three games, but sadly these two don't meet again before the regular season ends. Instead they face Toronto, Indy, and Dallas, while Montreal will play Dallas, Pittsburgh, and Santo Domingo.
Power Rankings
1) Denver Bulls (109.9, +)
2) Wilmington Wildcats (106.2, ++)
3) California Kodiaks (105.4, -)
4) Montreal Exports (103.8, o)
5) Pittsburgh Millers (102.0, -)
6) New York Cyclones (100.8, +)
7) Washington Bats (100.6, +)
8) Carolina Tobs (99.3, -)
9) Windy City Blues (98.8, +)
10) Phoenix Roadrunners (96.1, ++)
11) Toronto Canadians (95.6, +)
12) Los Angeles Dinos (94.9, --)
13) New Orleans Voodoo (94.8, --)
14) Pawtucket Patriots (93.1, +)
15) Maine Guides (90.1, +)
16) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (89.1, --)
17) Indianapolis Clowns (81.7, ++)
18) Syracuse Snappers (80.5, -)
19) Baltimore Bulldogs (72.8, +)
20) Seattle Pilots (72.5, -)
21) Philadelphia Freedom (71.2, +)
22) Hartford Whalers (68.2, --)
23) Dallas Drillers (67.2, -)
24) Batavia Muckdogs (58.1, o)
Performance of the Week
1B Isaac Rampone - The 22 year old rookie is one of only two hitters to crack the Top Performances this past month, as he turned in the 7th best day at the plate two days ago against the Patriots. In four at bats he smashed three home runs and drove in four as SDR won 7-1. Rampone is now hitting .291 with 32 HR and 95 RBI while putting up a 2.9 WAR. We had him as our pick to win the DL New Brew, but it appears Brian Van Hook of the Patriots has that locked up.
Prospect of the Week
P Tony Whitley - The 11th overall pick from the 2059 draft is 21 and doing quite well in the RL for the Austin Rustlers. In 20 starts this season he went 9-5 with a 2.06 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 241 ERA+. He's currently the 29th ranked prospect in the league and was named to the Rookie League All-Star team this season.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. The playoffs have cleared up, well at least in the Domestic. Five teams are going (Paw, Mon, Wil, NO, and Toronto). The last spot is between Pittsburgh, Maine, and SDR. The Millers have a 77.5% of making it thanks to playing seven of their last ten games at home, even though Maine has an easier schedule. In the Import it's just an absolute mess, as not one team has officially clinched yet. Even the 92 win Bulls have a magic number of five, but at least they have a 100% chance of making the postseason according to our friends at Stats+. We'd like to say the race is between Washington, Phoenix, and LAD for the final playoff spot, but the Wild Card race from Cali to LAD is only separated by 5.5 games. If the poor seventh place Roadrunners were in the Ale they'd be tied for first in the division, instead if the postseason started today they'd be watching from home.
2. We missed it a few weeks ago but Rick Anderson and Julian 'Skeeter' Ludin both broke the all-time steal record of 935 held by Richie 'Powder' van Luik. Both Anderson and Ludin are now tied at 950 each, and the only question is when both are retired who will end up on top. Currently Anderson is 35, while Ludin is 36, and neither are slowing down. This season Anderson is hitting .277 with 8 HR, 43 RBI, and 53 stolen bases. Meanwhile 'Skeeter' is hitting .285 with 8 HR, 61 RBI, and 56 stolen bases.
3. Another record we might see fall is from California legend Charlie Spence, who currently has 347 K's on the season. The single season record is held by Carolina legend Charlie Spence, who struck out 365 batters in 2056. Spence is scheduled to start against LAD today, and if not purposely rested will have one more start after that before the regular season ends. This season he's averaging a ridiculous 14.8 K/9, which is first in the league and a career high. With California playing for home field in the Wild Card we see Spence getting those two starts, and breaking the record.
4. In just his third season it looks like Teddy Burch of the Exports is going to take home his second straight Domestic League Stout Slugger. The 23 year old is on pace for a 9.8 WAR after hitting .344 with 26 HR, 91 RBI, 55 stolen bases, and putting up a +10.2 ZR in center field. Drafted third overall in 2056 behind Brian Wheat (TOR) and Wade Cummins (BAT), he's one of several young stars on this team who have helped Montreal go to the playoffs five of the last six seasons, and win the 2060 Brewmasters Cup.
5. What's on tap? How about we try and clear up the Import league playoff race as California heads south to LAD then hosts the Bats, Denver flies to Chicago, and Phoenix hosts Seattle and then heads to Baltimore. Streak wise Pittsburgh has won four straight, Keith Friday (PAW) has a 14 game hitting streak, and Jerry Cook (DEN) hasn't lost in 11 straight starts.
Weekly Milestones
RF Lee Vincent (PHI), 27 yo, reached 250 hits
RF Andy Bernard (NO), 24 yo, reached 250 hits
LF Grady Faulkner (MAI), 29 yo, reached 200 home runs
C Kyler Schuff (HAR), 21 yo, hit his first home run
LF Darrin Cramer (IND), 29 yo, reached 250 RBIs
1B Kentrellis Donciu (BAL), 29 yo, reached 250 RBIs
1B Stuart Beale (WIL), 39 yo, reached 800 extra base hits
SS Damian Goranson (SYR), 37 yo, reached 600 extra base hits
1B Rob Detling (LAD), 29 yo, reached 500 extra base hits
3B Dorsey Cahue (WIL), 26 yo, reached 300 extra base hits
2B Zechariah Norkus (NYC), 28 yo, reached 250 extra base hits
LF Hayden Cornett (DAL), 25 yo, reached 250 extra base hits
LF Detwon Ayala (WAS), 25 yo, reached 100 extra base hits
RF Andy Bernard (NO), 24 yo, reached 100 extra base hits
C Lou Winfield (DAL), 30 yo, reached 100 extra base hits
RF Dulani Cherry (CHI), 25 yo, reached 100 extra base hits
P Chad Flanigan (IND), 29 yo, reached 1500 strikeouts
P Malik Smith (TOR), 36 yo, reached 1000 strikeouts
P Marc Dillard (PAW), 28 yo, reached 1000 strikeouts
P Brendin Basham (PAW), 30 yo, reached 500 strikeouts
Stat of the Week
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