2 (4)- Houston Buushwackerz (63-43)- The surprise of Season 24 is still going strong. They still boast the AL's lowest team ERA at 4.00. There were 5 players on the AL team wearing Houston caps. Stretch Bellhorn was one of Houston's All Stars. He is making an excellent case for AL RoY. He has been one of the best defensive 3B in the AL, while hitting .293 with 22 doubles, 19 home runs, 58 RBI and 30 steals.
3 (13)- New Orleans Jazz (60-46)- The Jazz started off the season solidly, and then really hit their stride currently on a stretch of 18-10. The Jazz have been earning their wins with pitching (ranking 5th in the AL with a team ERA of 4.25), defense (ranked 5th in the AL) and team speed (2nd in the AL in steals with 132). The offense as a whole, is average for the AL, but the fundamental play of the team as a whole has turned this season's squad into one of the best in the AL, though they are still playing catch to their red-hot division rivals from Houston.
4 (12)- Iowa City Badgers (60-46)- Not only have the Badgers taken control of the NL North, but they are in the running for the best record in the NL. The team is also on pace to have one of the best regular season records in franchise history. This success is, surprisingly, with Hipolito Matos having an 'off' season. He is 10-8, with a 3.25 ERA. Thats pretty solid for a pitcher who is 'struggling'. The pleasant surprise in Iowa this season has been the stellar pitching of veteran lefty Damaso Machado. He is 11-5 with a 2.15 ERA and earned his second career All Star nod.
5 (14)- Washington Generals (60-46)- The Generals' pitching has been steadily improving after starting the season as one of the NL's worst. They have lowered their team ERA to a respectable 4.25. Young SP Jason Riggan has been everything the team could ask for in his second ML season. He is 13-4 with a 3.14 ERA and earned a spot on the NL All Star team.
6 (7)- Kansas City T-Bones (60-46)- This team is fantastic at turning their lineup over, and wearing out the oppositions' pitching. They are 3rd in the AL in runs scored and also lead the AL in OBP (.351), steals and total plate appearances. The pitching has been very middle-of-the-pack. It has been anchored by the savvy veteran Clyde Mirabelli. In his first season in Kansas City, Mirabelli is 14-5 with a 2.58 ERA. He must really like the BBQ.
7 (5)- Richmond Rebellion (59-47)- The NL South is gonna be a brutal race all the way down to the finish. The Rebellion currently are in first, but by the slimmest of margins with only 5 games separating 1st from 4th. Luis Delgado was named an All Star for the 3rd time in the last 4 seasons. He is hitting .292 with 29 doubles, 20 home runs and 76 RBI.
8 (2)- Norfolk Whiskey Jacks (59-47)- The Jacks find themselves in a 3-way dog fight for both the Wild Card and the AL East divisional crown. They haven't been dominant in any one facet of the game with an average performance out of the pitching staff this season, and an above average (but not explosive) offense. Sammy Polonia has been this squad's offensive catalyst. He is hitting .309 with 21 doubles, 15 home runs, 60 RBI and 17 steals.
9 (6)- Charlotte Dukies (59-47)- The Dukies find themselves, shockingly, in 3rd place in what has been the surprisingly dep AL South. Eric Eaton has been a force in the middle of the lineup this season. He is hitting .285 with 33 home runs and 83 RBI.
10 (11)- Philadelphia Stomp (58-48)- At this point in the season, the defending champs would find themselves out of the playoffs. If that were to happen, it would only be the 4th time in the last 16 seasons for one of the SPL's proudest franchises. The always cut-throat AL East, and the surprising AL South (especially Houston) has left the Stomp scrambling to either take command of their own division or claw their way back into the Wild Card. While the team does lead the AL in home runs, their offense is one dimensional. They are near last in stolen bases and rank average in most of the other offensive categories. This squad is too reliant on the home run.
11 (10)- Little Rock Mockingbirds (58-48)
12 (3)- Oakland Athletics (57-49)
13 (9)- Scottsdale Camels (57-49)
14 (15)- Atlanta Soda Poppers (57-49)
15 (8)- Vancouver Tragedy Twins (55-51)
16 (17)- Durham Swamp Hogs (54-52)
17 (16)- Montreal Robinsons (52-54)
18 (-)- Los Angeles White Sox (50-56)
19 (18)- Monterrey Gringos (50-56)
20 (21)- San Diego Wiley Coyotes (50-56)
