1 (1)- Milwaukee Boys of Summer (91-47)- This has been the best team in the NL since Opening Day. Anything less than the NL Pennant would be a disappointing result in a season where everything has gone right. There are two Boys on the MVP ballot and two Boys on the Cy Young ballot. Howie Becker has ascended from young-up-and-comer to bona fide super star. He is one of the front runners to win the MVP and is hitting .297 with 50 home runs and 132 RBI, to go with 19 steals and only getting thrown out once.
2 (3)- Philadelphia Stomp (88-57)- Despite Quilvio Lee (11-8, 4.00 ERA) having one of the worst seasons of his career, the Stomp have been climbing up the AL slowly over the course of the season and now find themselves sitting as the AL's top team. They are in pole position come playoff time. And they have done it with a complete roster, and very little in the way of super star performances. Only one All Star, no players on the MVP, Cy Young or RoY ballots. Despite that, they find themselves ranked 5th in pitching, 5th in offense and 3rd in run differential.
3 (8)- San Diego Wiley Coyotes (86-52)- For only the second time in Pepe's illustrious career, he finds himself on a team in position for a bye, and one of the favorites going into the playoffs. This season is shaping up to be the 2nd best in franchise history. Despite Pepe's 2.23 career playoff ERA, in 17 starts, his teams just haven't been able to get it done, only making it as far as the NLCS on a single occasion. He is as determined as ever to get that WS ring though... as its the only thing the league's best pitcher hasn't won yet.
4 (4)- Monterrey Gringos (83-55)- The Gringo's are an offensive juggernaut. The team leads the AL in home runs, OPS and runs scored. I can't remember the last time I've seen three players from the same team on an MVP ballot: Marvin Shannon, Geoff Bowles and Derek Cox. The three are hitting a combined .321 with 95 doubles, 116 home runs and 349 RBI. Those three have more home runs than three entire teams: Chicago, Pittsburgh and Salt Lake City.
5 (9)- Scranton Wild (82-56)- The Wild have quietly put themselves in a position to battle for one of the AL's bye. They have finally overcome their nemesis from St. Louis and are on the verge of clinching a division title for the first time in nine seasons. Former #3 overall pick, Rich Miclat, is the favorite to win the RoY and even has himself on the Cy Young ballot. He is 15-7 with a 3.76 ERA.
6 (2)- Washington Generals (82-56)- For the last three seasons the Generals have been at, or towards, the top of the NL. They've won a weak NL East in each of those seasons. This season, they've fallen off just a bit, and are now not likely to have a first round bye. They have likely held off a surprising Cleveland team. They are league average in pitching, but 2nd in runs scored and 3rd in run differential.
7 (5)- Kansa City T-Bones (81-57)- Another season, and another MVP type performance from Junior Chang. Chang is hitting .320 with 30 home runs and 149 RBI and 45 steals. Vern Henry is having an excellent season, and on the Cy Young ballot. He is 18-4 with a 3.54 ERA. What may get overlooked in KC is their excellent defense. The team is leading the AL in double plays and is 2nd in most + play and fewest - plays. They also lead the AL in runners thrown out at 42%.
8 (7)- Norfolk Whiskey Jacks (79-59)- The Jacks have been solid, but not spectacular all season. The window is rapidly closing on this group, with only 2 players under 30 on the roster. This season may be their last crack at it. Patsy Wilkerson, at 36 years young, is having an MVP type season hitting .317 with 27 home runs, 87 RBI and 29 stolen bases.
9 (6)- Cleveland Lake Shores (79-59)- While the Lake Shores have still had an excellent season, they have been slowly cooling off after a scorching start. As expected, they were unable to hold off Washington and now find themselves at the top of the brutal NL Wild Card race. A solid all around team, they rank 6th in the NL in runs scored and 5th in pitching.
10 (16)- New Orleans Jazz (76-62)- A bit of the opposite of Cleveland, the Jazz got off to a very rocky start but have been hot lately. They are 17-7 in their last 24 games and 24-11 in their last 35. They are now just 3 games away from overtaking Norfolk for the final Wild Card spot. We'll so find out if its too little, too late.
11 (15)- Little Rock Mockingbirds (76-62)- Watch out National League. You knew they weren't going quietly. The Mockingbirds look to have found their way back into the playoffs, overtaking a slumping Atlanta team for the division lead. They have also been hot, currently winning 19 of their last 27 including a 9 game win streak. This is not a team that anybody wants to face in the postseason. They have won 4 of the last 5 NL Pennants for a reason.
12 (13)- Salem Blues (75-63)- The Blues find themselves in position to play in the postseason for only the first time in five season, and only the third time in fifteen seasons. Their quick turnaround, taking advantage of the sagging AL West, has been on of the seasons' pleasant surprises. It'll be interesting to see how this team does in the next couple of seasons. There is plenty of youth in the field but the pitching rotation is very long in the tooth.
13 (11)- Los Angeles White Sox (75-63)- There is cautious excitement building in Los Angeles, as the White Sox find themselves clinging to the last playoff spot. It would only be the second time in 13 seasons that this team has been into the postseason. For a team that has been on the brink for so long, fans are happy to see it finally come together this season. Although he is unlikely to win the award, the journeyman Del Castro has had an amazing season and put himself on the Cy Young ballot. He made his first All Star squad this season, at age 34. He is 16.7 with a 2.64 ERA.
14 (12)- Vancouver Tragedy Twins (74-64)- The Twins have been inconsistent this season, but still find themselves only one game away from breaking the hearts of White Sox fans and stealing the last playoff berth. It'll be a tight, as there are four teams in the mix for that last spot. Pepe has won the NL Cy Young for five consecutive seasons, but this season he has some serious competition. Elijiah Darling has had just as good of a season, and not pitching in Petco. If the Twins make it into the playoffs, it'll be largely because of him. In 173 innings, he is 16-6 with a 2.23 ERA.
15 (10)- Atlanta Soda Poppers (74-64)- After getting red hot around the All Star break, the wheels came off in Atlanta. They are 23-24 since the All Star game and have fallen behind a surging Little Rock squad in the division. Now they are one of the handful of teams in a battle to squeak into the playoffs. They are currently one game out.
16 (19)- Iowa City Badgers (72-66)
17 (18)- St. Louis Redbirds (69-69)
18 (20)- Richmond Rebellion (68-70)
19 (14)- Anaheim Peppers (68-70)
20 (-)- Houston Buushwackers (66-72)
Bounced Out:
Honolulu Ohana (17)
