1 (2)- Pittsburgh Polar Bears (101-38)- The Polar Bears have been on a tear over the past few weeks. They are 32-5 in their last 37 games, including a 19-game winning streak. As usual, Pittsburgh is among the top pitching staffs, leading the NL in team ERA at 2.98 and fewest runs allowed. With a magic number of two and a first round bye, the Polar Bears will be well rested and ready for their NLDS opponent.
2 (1)- Baltimore Revolution (99-40)- Barring injury or a complete collapse, DH Deivi Borges (.362, 61 HR, 144 RBI) is going to win the fourth Triple Crown in SP history and the AL MVP Award. With Borges powering the middle of the lineup, the Revolution are (once again) the most potent offense in the AL. Baltimore leads the AL in runs scored, stolen bases, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging and is 2nd in home runs.
3 (9)- Vancouver Tragedy Twins (91-48)- The Twins have been red hot, winning 18 of their last 21. The have also now officially won the NL West, ending the LA Sharks reign over the division at 8 consecutive division titles. LF Raul Martin has played a huge part in Vancouver's turn around. He has quietly had a very good rookie season, hitting .303 with 21 home runs, 61 RBI and 21 steals.
4 (4)- Norfolk Whiskey Jacks (88-53)- Despite having the 2nd best record in the AL, the Jacks will have to settle for a Wild Card spot due to the success of their divisional rival in Baltimore. Although Matos is the front runner for the AL Cy Young, his team mate SP Phil Leonard has blossomed into a solid #2 starter, and has had some Cy Young discussion himself. He is 15-6 on the season with a 3.60 ERA. Although he is currently out with a chest strain, the team medical staff has assured management that the injury will heal in plenty of time for the postseason.
5 (3)- Milwaukee Titans (86-53)- The Titans have earned one of the NL byes for each of the last four seasons. Going into Season 15, they were the favorites to earn one of the top two seeds in the NL once again. The surprise success of the Twins though has the Vancouver squad currently holding the NL's #2 seed. The Titans find themselves in a position they are not used to. It should be a good race for the NL's second bye.
6 (5)- Anaheim Hitmen (84-55)- The Hitmen are currently holding the #2 seed and the bye in the AL. However the Rainbow Warriors are only one game back and keeping the pressure on. 1B Brian Okajima (.351, 41 HR, 105 RBI) is having what is normally an MVP season, if it weren't for the historic season of Deivi Borges. The race between the Rainbow Warriors and the Hitmen for the AL West crown and the 1st round bye should go down to the final days of the season.
7 (6)- Honolulu Rainbow Warriors (83-56)- Coming off of the best season in franchise history, expectations were high in Hawaii for Season 15. They haven't disappointed. They are currently in the thick of the Wild Card race (2 games ahead of Philly) and the AL West race (1 game behind Anaheim). AL RoY front-runner DH Bill Howell has been huge for the Warriors. Hitting 4th or 5th in the order, Howell has produced with a .296 AVG, 18 HR and 70 RBI.
8 (11)- Chicago Gray Stockings (82-57)- The season of injuries continues in Chicago. COF Howard Hume recently returned from the DL after recovering from a bulging disk. He has been playing pretty well since his return, hitting .285 in 14 games. Three key pitchers are still injured: Carter Maybin, Wayne Spence and D'Angelo Cornejo. Despite the busy training staff, the Gray Sox are still in a position to make a run at defending their NL Pennant and all of the injured players are expected to return to the field before the playoffs begin.
9 (7)- Philadelphia Stomp (81-58)- The plan to build a deep pitching rotation to carry them into the postseason is working in Philly. The Stomp are ranked 2nd in the AL in team ERA at 3.93 and 1st in the AL in fewest runs allowed. Rookie backstop Rick Jamison has taken on the burden of powering the offense. He has performed well, hitting mostly cleanup, with a .323 AVG, 25 HR and 85 RBI.
10 (8)- St. Louis Redbirds (81-58)- The Redbirds have clinched their 11th consecutive division title this season. LF Ruben Lopez is having the best season of his young career. He is hitting .252 with 42 HR with 115 RBI. Hitting coach Enrique Diaz has been working extensively with Lopez, trying to cut down on his strikeouts and make him a more disciplined at the plate. Still, its hard to argue with a guy who is on pace to his 50+ home runs and drive in 120+ runs.
11 (10)- Cleveland Lake Shores (77-62)- Despite an up-and-down season for the Lake Shores, they have a six game lead over Helena for the final playoff berth in the NL. They should be able to rest their regulars the last few games of the season, and enter the Wild Card Round without fatigue. LF Randall Bryant is having a fantastic rookie season. His play has been dazzling in LF. He is the odd-on-favorite to win the NL Gold Glove at that position, as well as the NL RoY. He only has 2 errors in 139 games with 14 '+' plays. He is also contributing at the plate, hitting in the top of the order, mostly cleanup, with a .280 AVG, 22 HR, 68 RBI and 58 steals (2nd in the NL).
12 (12)- Richmond Rebellion (76-63)- The Rebellion should win their 3rd consecutive NL South title. Highly touted rookie LF Ted Westmoreland has more than lived up to his hype. Despite playing the first 25 games of the season in AAA, he still leads Richmond in HR with 44, and leads the NL in RBI with 118 while hitting .313.
13 (15)- New Orleans Jazz (71-68)- The Jazz are currently in position to win the AL South for the fourth time in the last five seasons. SP Rolando Villareal has provided stability to the starting rotation since his trade from Oakland. In his 24 starts, he is 9-7 with a 3.49 ERA.
14 (17)- Helena Bighorns (71-68)- The Bighorns aren't out of the playoff picture yet, but with 6 games to make up on the Lake Shores, they will have to get very hot. This season, the Bighorns have relied on a group effort to provide the pop in the offense. There are 10 players on the roster with 10+ home runs; and 9 of those have 14+.
15 (13)- Kansas City Krazies (70-69)- For a franchise that has been mired in futility for many seasons, this season has been a marked improvement for the Krazies. Veteran slugger Brent Corbin has developed into a fan favorite this season. He is leading the team in home runs and RBI. He is hitting .286 with 43 HR and 97 RBI.
16 (18)- Scottsdale Camels (69-70)
17 (16)- Jackson Runnin' Rebels (68-71)
18 (-)- San Diego Wiley Coyotes (66-73)
19 (19)- Salem Mighty Ducks (66-73)
20 (-)- Houston Buushwackerz (65-74)
Bounced Out:
Los Angeles Sharks (14)
Iowa City Badgers (20)
