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09/20/2049
Seattle takes off with a 6-1 week that featured a huge four game sweep of Philadelphia. The Pilots are now tied for the final wildcard spot in the IL with Phoenix. Other big weeks were Hartford, Washington, Pittsburgh, and Toronto who all went 5-1. The Bats put the Stout out of reach, while the Whalers, Millers, and Canadians all but punched their playoff ticket. It also means for Hartford that they will be playoff bound for the first time since 2038, when they won it all. On the other side of life Maine went 0-6 and Philadelphia went 1-6. The poor Freedom now have a -12 PYT but are still only two games out of the final Import wildcard spot.
Power Rankings
1) Washington Bats (120.7, +)
2) Pawtucket Patriots (115.1, -)
3) Pittsburgh Millers (104.8, ++)
4) Toronto Canadians (103.7, ++)
5) Batavia Red Jackets (102.8, o)
6) Montreal Exports (102.5, --)
7) Hartford Whalers (96.9, ++)
8) New Orleans Voodoo (96.3, -)
9) Seattle Pilots (95.6, ++)
10) Denver Bulls (94.6, +)
11) Los Angeles Dinos (91.9, --)
12) Windy City Blues (89.4, --)
13) California Kodiaks (88.4, --)
14) New York Cyclones (88.4, ++)
15) Wilmington Clowns (86.8, -)
16) Phoenix Roadrunners (85.6, -)
17) Dallas Drillers (79.3, ++)
18) Carolina Tobs (78.7, -)
19) Indianapolis Racers (77.3, ++)
20) Baltimore Bulldogs (77.2, -)
21) Santo Domingo Rum Runners (74.0, +)
22) Maine Guides (72.9, --)
23) Philadelphia Freedom (71.3, --)
24) Syracuse Snappers (67.9, o)
Performance of the Week
C Zane Bowden - Still angry that the DK called him out a few weeks ago, Bowden turned in the #6 hitting performance of the season on September 17th against Philly. In an 11-8 victory he racked up two home runs, drove in six, walked twice, and scored four times.
Prospect of the Week
P Kyle 'Stubblebeard' Hooser - Drafted 12th overall by Syracuse this year he ended up starting 11 games for the Gamblers after starting seven for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in the CCBL. In those 11 starts he ended up 6-2 with a 1.82 ERA and 185 ERA+. Coaches love his intelligence and work ethic, he throws four pitches, and he can hit 96 mph on the gun.
Five Things We Think We Think
1. In the record watch Chadd Chua stole four more bases last week, including three two days ago against New York. He now has 87 and is projected for 93, which would give him the single season record. The Roadrunners have 10 games left, including the final three of the season at Seattle. Even though Bowden might have crushed Philly a few days back he's still open season to steal bases on. The Pilots now have a RTO% of 17.5, lowest in the league, so Chua couldn't have asked for a better opportunity
2. The minor league playoffs are all down to the final four, with only the Rocky Mountain Oysters (NY) advancing so far to the championship series. They got to that series after defeating the Austin Rustlers (CAL) in the LCS two games to none. The second game the Oysters had a 3-0 lead entering the 8th before Jayden Marshall hit a 3-run home run to tie it up. Neither team could score to close out the game and it went to extra innings. In the bottom of the 10th up stepped Dave Payne with two runners on and one out. Payne, a 5th round pick in last years draft, proceeded to hit a 360 foot shot over the fence for the walk-off to send the Oysters to their first Cup appearance since 2029.
3. Congrats to 31 year old Jaxon Neal who hit his 300th career home run this past week. Neal entered the league as an international amateur free agent from the British Virgin Islands, and was signed by Montreal in 2034. He made the Exports roster in 2041 and played for them until last season. During that time he was a 4x All-Star, 4x DD, 2046 Stout Slugger, and helped Montreal win the 2044 Brewmasters Cup. He exercised his contract opt out much to the dismay of Exports management, and signed a one year deal with Toronto this April. He was once again selected to the All-Star game this season and is hitting .309 with 34 HR, 93 RBI and a 159 OPS+.
4. What is going to happen in the Import wildcard race? We all know Washington is going to be the #1 seed in the playoffs, but two through six is still up for grabs. In the Bock the Bulls still have a chance to pass up LAD and take the division, but appear to be a lock no matter what. Batavia can't win the division but are a lock as well in the three spot. So that means the final two spots are up for grabs between California, Phoenix, Seattle, Windy City and Philly. California has the easiest remaining schedule, Philly and Windy City have seven out of the last 10 at home, while Seattle is hot and has won four in a row.
5. What's on tap? Well how about the Import wildcard teams facing off! California travels to Windy City for three, Phoenix travels to Denver for three, and LAD travels to Seattle for three. After this week we might have a little more clarity before all teams play their final three game series to close out the season. Streak wise the Guides and Freedom have lost six straight, and the Canadians and Bats have won five straight.
Stat of the Week
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| Most Players Used In A Season (Top 25 Teams) |
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