1- Norfolk Whiskey Jacks (34-14)- The preseason favorite to win the SP World Series this year is currently in a dead heat with Baltimore for the AL East crown. This squad is a well balanced one, ranking 3rd in the AL in runs scored and 2nd in team ERA. Heath Hewitt, Joaquin Trinidad and Hipolito Matos have a very impressive combined record of 21-4, with a 3.60 ERA, to start the season.
2- Baltimore Revolution (34-15)- The Revolution are right at the top of the AL as expected. Despite the devastating loss of ace pitcher Tony Espinosa (who is expected to return from shoulder surgery sometime around the All Star break) the Rev are ranked 3rd in the AL in lowest ERA. Their offense is ranked 4th in runs scored. Surprisingly, its been the stellar play of the defense that's helped this squad keep pace with their rivals from Norfolk. The move of lefty Aurelio Diaz from 2B to LF has prompted the Rev to become one of the top defensive teams in the AL, leading that league in '+' plays with 29, while also leading in fewest '-' plays with 0.
3- Chicago Gray Stockings (31-17)- Despite the early season injuries to 3B Tony Benitez and 2B Paxton Murray, the Gray Sox offense has been prolific to start the season ranking 2nd in the NL in AVG and runs scored. This has been largely due to the red-hot start of 1B Russ Charleston (.411 AVG, 9 HR, 44 RBI), who is in a contract year, and currently leading the NL in hitting. This franchise values a deep pitching rotation, and this season was supposed to be no different. Except that the starting pitching has really struggled to stay consistent in the early going, making the Sox strong start all the more surprising. Fans may be starting to believe though, as this is the latest point in the season that this team has been in 1st place (usually in a distant 2nd place to Pittsburgh) since the franchise moved to the Windy City ten seasons ago.
4- Vancouver Tragedy Twins (31-18)- Picked by many to win the NL this season, the Twins have had all they can handle in trying to hold off a very strong start by division rival San Diego. They have been successful thus far, currently in 1st place with a small lead. The team leads the NL in home runs, but its really been the pitching that's been this team's foundation. They are currently 2nd in the NL in team ERA, led by SP Benny Bonilla. In his 10 starts so far, he is 8-0 with a 2.74 ERA and is already generating some Cy Young buzz so far this young season.
5- Richmond Rebellion (30-18)- Richmond is another team that was pegged as a pennant winner by some experts, in what is becoming an increasingly competitive top of the NL. The pitching staff, composed of mostly young unproven players and journeymen veterans, has been a very pleasant surprise, currently ranking 3rd in team ERA. Ted Westmoreland (.292 AVG, 16 HR, 34 RBI) seems to have recovered from his very disappointing Season 17 and has been very productive thus far.
6- San Diego Wiley Coyotes (30-18)- This franchise took alot of heat in the media this offseason. Ownership refused to invest more heavily in payroll, keeping their current ML payroll at under $40M, making it one of the lowest in the league. Many experts blasted them for not putting help around super-stud SP Pepe Sosa (8-2, 2.08 ERA), because the starters after him certainly won't put a scare into any opposing lineups. But management stuck to its guns, and their long term plan of slowly promoting from within, as they've been doing for the last few seasons, despite some inconsistent results in the standings from season-to-season. So far in Season 18, the Wiley Coyotes GM has certainly been able to get the last laugh. Until just a few games ago, this team was in 1st place in the NL West, ahead of the highly touted Vancouver Tragedy Twins. The team is 2nd in the NL in HR, and Darwin Crawford (.375 AVG, 21 HR, 50 RBI) is the early season favorite to win the NL MVP. It remains to be seen though if this team is just off to a hot start, or actually has the staying power to be a contender in the very crowded top of the NL.
7- Philadelphia Stomp (29-20)- The Stomp have certainly been among the very best teams in the AL. Its too bad they're stuck in the AL East with powerhouses Norfolk and Baltimore, otherwise they would certainly be the favorite to win any of the other divisions. This team was lauded for its solid and deep pitching rotation, but early on its been all about the bats. The team ranks 2nd in the AL in runs scored and 2nd in HR. Orber Martin (.395 AVG, 18 HR, 48 RBI) seems to have found his comfort level now in the City of Brotherly Love after a bit of an inconsistent Season 17. He is currently the early AL MVP favorite, and starting some early talk of yet another Triple Crown. He currently ranks 1st in HR, 1st in RBI and 2nd in AVG.
8- Milwaukee Titans (28-21)- While a number of the top SP teams have been hit by early season injuries, the reigning champs have probably been hit the hardest. Toby Barry tore up his ACL on Opening Day while sliding into third base. He'll be out for the rest of the season. Pedro Navarro, Barry's replacement at the hot corner, and reliever Dee Dee Brown both have had serious shoulder injuries and are expected to be on the shelf until after the All Star break. Luckily, the Titans are a very deep team in a very shallow division. Barring a catastrophe, this team should coast to the divisional crown (as evidenced by their unanimous selection as the NL North winner) despite their injuries. They may have a tougher time holding onto the bye they're used to getting however. In the early going, its been the consistency of the pitching, led by ace Lonny Sanchez (7-2, 1.89 ERA), who is off to the best start of his career and getting some early Cy Young whispers, that's kept the ship on course. The team ranks 1st in the NL in team ERA.
9- Cleveland Lake Shores (28-21)- The Lake Shores were another team that was a vogue selection to escape from the gauntlet of the NL. They've been steady, but not spectacular early and have positioned themselves right in the mix for both the NL East and the Wild Card. The team ranks 3rd in average and 4th in runs scored. This team hasn't been in the headlines nearly as much as some of the other NL heavy weights. That's because they're simply hasn't been the drama in Cleveland. The team is pretty much where it should be, with most of the key players performing pretty much as expected and no significant injuries to speak of. This team hasn't come close to hitting its peak yet, and the teams ahead of them would be wise not to sleep on this squad.
10- Honolulu Rainbow Warriors (27-21)- In an AL West that we've become accustomed to being one of the deepest, most competitive divisions in the SPL; this season has seen nearly all of the teams under performing. Taking advantage of their rivals struggles, the Warriors have bashed their way to the top of the division with a prolific offensive attack. They currently rank 1st in the AL in runs scored, ahead of traditional offensive power houses such as Norfolk, Baltimore and division rival Anaheim. Samuel Walker and Bill Howell have led the way for this lineup. Howell currently leads the AL with his .402 AVG and the two have combined for 17 home runs and 72 RBI with an OPS of 1.000+.
11- Houston Buushwackerz (27-21)- The Buushwackerz strong start combined with New Orleans having a slower start than expected have led to Houston being the surprise team in the early goings of Season 18. The team is currently 3rd in the AL in home runs. The catalyst to this team's early success has been the early career years of Andrea Baez (.289 AVG, 11 HR, 29 RBI) and Tom Lee (.323 AVG, 10 HR, 31 RBI). Both players are far surpassing their career norms so far. If they manage to keep it up, they might be able to hold off New Orleans. If they fall back to the expected production however, the Buushwackerz will be hard pressed to hold off a very talented Jazz squad.
12- New Orleans Jazz (26-22)- The Jazz were the near consensus favorite to win the AL South. They started off the season very strong, going 15-5 out of the gate. They looked to be running away with the division. However, the team has really been struggling lately, with an 8-13 in their last 21 games. During that time, their pitching has been really shaky, surrendering over 5 runs per game. Fernando Dominguez (6-2, 4.25 ERA) has been one of the few stabilizing influences on the pitching staff. This team will need another pitcher or two to help Dominguez if this team wants to take the next step into the elite of the AL.
13- Pittsburgh Polar Bears (26-22)- The most successful and storied franchise in the NL finds itself in very strange waters: 3rd place. For the last 12 seasons, Pittsburgh has dominated the NL East, winning the division in each of those seasons. Only twice did the second place squad finish within 10 games of Pittsburgh when the regular season ended, and, more often than not, the Bears won the division very comfortably by 20+ games. Their streak is in very serious jeopardy in Season 18. This is the latest in the Season that the Bears haven't been in 1st place since that streak started. And they have to get past two very good teams in Chicago and Cleveland to claim their rightful spot at the top. Needless to say, fans are freaking out in the Steel City. The Bears offense has been whats keeping this team in contention. They are the highest scoring team in the NL (as usual) and also lead the NL in AVG. Their pitching, usually the best in the NL, has been the reason this team isn't in first. Over the past decade, Pittsburgh has been loaded with HoF caliber pitchers. In five seasons, expect to see 4 starting pitchers wearing Pittsburgh caps enter the Hall. But those guys are older now, and father time is starting to catch up to them, starting with Jimmie Brownson. The sure-fire HoFer, and arguably the best starting pitcher the NL has ever seen, was a lock to become the first player to get to 300 career wins. Now he's on the DL with a serious case of elbow tendinitis, and many don't think he'll ever pitch again.
14- Atlanta Soda Poppers (26-23)- The Soda Poppers were many experts pick to sneak into the NL Wild Card and break the NL East's streak of 3 teams getting into the postseason. They started off the season a bit hot-and-cold, but have really been playing well lately and are currently riding the NL longest winning streak at 6. The ageless wonder, Samuel Stokes, is still producing in his new role of part time player. The entire baseball watching world will soon have their eyes on the Soda Poppers and Stokes because he is only 5 home runs away from passing the legendary Pedro Pascual and becoming the SPL's all time Home Run King.
15- Kansas City Krazies (25-23)- Kansas City has been slowly building and improving their squad, and the last few seasons have been respectable. They have the misfortune of playing in the stacked AL East and know that in order to be competitive, they will really have to build a much better squad. Still, this franchise is slowly moving in the right direction, and, if things go just right, they might be able to over-achieve and sneak into the AL Wild Card. Chances are slim, but its not out of the realm of possibility. So far, Lou Romero (.286 AVG, 10 HR, 30 RBI) is having a very good season batting cleanup for the Krazies.
16- Cincinnati Red Bolts (25-23)
17- Anaheim Hitmen (24-25)
18- Charlotte Dukies (24-25)
19- Scottsdale Camels (23-26)
20- Salem Blues (22-26)
