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04/27/2065
In a week that started out on 4/20 we expected the Wildcats to excel, but alas they went 3-4. Instead it was the Drillers from Dallas who went 7-0 with sweeps of Pawtucket and Toronto. They are now first in the Lager, first in the Power Rankings, and first in our hearts. Meanwhile the Cyclones rebounded by going 6-1 to get their season back on track. From 3-10 to 9-11 will help get their manager off the hot seat, and their fans back in the seats. Maine also had a much needed 5-1 week, while Hartford, Montreal, and Carolina all went 5-2. On the flip side Pawtucket went 0-7, while California went 1-5 and had to "remodel" their GM's suite once again.
Power Rankings
1) Dallas Drillers (140.1, ++)
2) Hartford Whalers (130.1, ++)
3) Seattle Pilots (125.0, -)
4) Carolina Tobs (124.0, +)
5) Los Angeles Dinos (114.0, --)
6) Montreal Exports (114.0, ++)
7) Batavia Muckdogs (109.2, +)
8) Maine Guides (109.2, ++)
9) Windy City Blues (109.0, --)
10) Denver Bulls (105.0, --)
11) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (96.0, --)
12) New Orleans Voodoo (95.7, ++)
13) Philadelphia Freedom (89.0, ++)
14) New York Cyclones (86.0, ++)
15) Wilmington Wildcats (85.0, --)
16) Baltimore Bulldogs (69.2, ++)
17) Washington Bats (69.0, --)
18) Pittsburgh Millers (62.0, o)
19) Indianapolis Clowns (60.0, +)
20) California Kodiaks (59.2, --)
21) Pawtucket Patriots (58.0, --)
22) Syracuse Snappers (56.0, --)
23) Toronto Canadians (49.0, -)
24) Phoenix Roadrunners (46.3, o)
Performance of the Week
P Jamel 'Cheese' Thomas - The longtime Whaler bounced around to Washington and Pawtucket before coming to Dallas last season. After being sent to the pen in the aforementioned places, he's back to starting where he wants to be. Five days ago he showed why he should be there against Toronto when he tossed a three-hit, no walk, seven K shutout during a 6-0 win. The 33 year old went 16-6 for the Drillers last season, and made his first All-Star appearance since 2057. At 1-1 with a 1.61 ERA he looks to be on track to go back-to-back.
Prospect of the Week
SS Ryley 'Mailman' Luciano - The 3x NCAA All-Star hit .349/.401/.661 over his four year career at Duke, with an OPS of 157+ while playing both short and second base. Scouts say he could be a DWI level second basemen while also hitting .300 and 20+ home runs a season. Sounds like a first round pick to us.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. Breaking news...the Washington Bats are 8-12. To be four games under .500 at this point of the season is disastrous for the greatest franchise in BLB history. The news cycle is never ending negativity, the fans are revolting, and the manager is on the hot seat. This team went 19-4 last April, and the organization expects nothing less. With four game still left to play this month they can at least get to even, which should take away about 25% of brown sacks over fans heads in The Capitol. To be serious for a minute though it appears nothing is wrong with them, other than some bad luck. In the Import they are first in hits, first in walks, second in OBS...but ninth in runs scored. On the pitching side they are second in hits allowed, yet sixth in runs allowed. We figure by the end of the year they'll still end up with 85+ wins. The machine rolls on.
2. You want to win, play defense. In the DK's favorite stat check, the Pilots (14-6) lead the league with a +11.19 ZR in the field. Second is the 13-7 Tobs at +9.70, while third place is everyone's favorite Bulls (12-8) at +8.07. On the other side of life New York is dead last...by a long shot...at -11.66. With Grady Williams at short (-5.7), and Fred Etheridge at second (-3.3), NYC pitchers have been seen laying out for ground balls up the middle since they know those two won't reach them. Every starter on the staff is over 6', with three of them coming in at 6'2, 6'4, and 6'6. Good thing too because every inch counts.
3. California is still killing the DK's season predictions with a 7-12 record thanks to a team who forgot how to hit the ball. In the Import they are 11th in average, on base, hits, extra base hits, home runs, and therefore runs scored. They're last meanwhile in slugging and OBS. At least their minor league teams are 27-17! They also have the 3rd best farm system in the league, led by 23 year old rookie starter Tony Whitley. Not too shabby considering we know they'll get back on track sooner or later, just like their nemesis the Bats. One team still off the tracks are their Bock mates the Roadrunners. With a 5-14 record, the bottom of the league, it's only made worse by a minor league system that features two 0-11 teams and a 1-10 team. Time to cut some of that chaff!
4. Well Vince 'Mungo' Tanner was no flash in the pan last season. In 18 games last year he hit .312 with 6 HR and 16 RBI, while striking out 26 times. So far in 18 games this season he's hitting .347 with 9 HR and 20 RBI, while striking out 20 times. He's on pace for a 9.2 WAR and has played at both third and left field. He has a rocket for an arm so the fact that he's not a liability at either of those spots is only icing on the cake for the first place Drillers. Drafted fourth overall in 2063 he's just 22 years old and was the DK's pick for New Brew. Considering that he smashed 33 home runs in just 89 AAA games last season we didn't think it was a bad bet.
5. What's on tap? How about the two Bock heavyweights meeting for the first time this season as Seattle travels to LA. Throw in a Lager meeting between first place Big D and second place Big M, and we have a nice week coming up.
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Streaking
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| Walt Dutro (DAL) scored in 7 straight games |
| Alex Cain (DEN) scored in 7 straight games |
Who's Hot
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Stat of the Week
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| Longest Championship Drought | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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